NEURO-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) was developed in the late 1970's by Richard Bandler, a mathematician, and Dr. John Grinder, a linguist, at the University of California, Santa Cruz.  They used behavioral modeling in an attempt to discover and quantify what makes someone truly exceptional in his or her field of expertise.  They did so by modeling several leaders in the field of psychology whose work had been deemed exceptional based on the quality and speed with which they were able to elicit lasting change in their clients.  The models included Fritz Perls (originator of Gestalt therapy), Virginia Satir (noted family therapist), and Milton Erickson (physician and father of modern hypnotherapy).

Briefly, “neuro" refers to the fact that we take in information using our five senses (our neurology); "linguistic" refers to the way in which we use language to organize our thoughts and perceptions; "programming" refers to the idea that we can change our patterns of thoughts and behaviors (the programs established in childhood) and choose how we want to experience our world by changing how we receive and process information.

In my work using NLP with clients, I have come to understand that most change work falls into four general categories:

• Resource building – personal resources are those personal qualities which you already have within you but are not always accessed as easily as you’d like.  Many NLP techniques are specifically designed to build and strengthen qualities such as confidence, self-trust, creativity or a sense of peace and calm, to name just a few.
• “Parts” work – this type of change work involves approaching an area of concern with the idea that a “part” of yourself is generating an unwanted behavior or response.  These techniques seek to determine the underlying positive intention of the part (i.e., what it’s trying to gain for you), and then find alternative ways to satisfy that very important positive intention in a way that is more satisfying on a conscious level.
• Resolving painful past experiences – several NLP techniques are designed to assist you in gaining a new perspective on difficult past experiences, especially those with a high degree of emotional intensity attached to them.  This type of change work can be extremely effective in breaking the emotional ties with those very difficult memories.
• Belief change work – many techniques in NLP focus on identifying your core limiting beliefs (those beliefs which are often outside of your conscious awareness but which prevent you from reaching your goals) and transforming them into much more empowering beliefs.

I have also come to understand that many unwanted behaviors and responses (e.g., overeating, excessive drinking, using drugs, excessive spending, gambling, etc.) are, at the core, an attempt to change your feeling state.  NLP offers specific techniques geared to teach you how to manage your state without engaging in these unwanted behaviors.