What is NLP?
LINGUISTIC - language both the spoken word and internal thoughts
PROGRAMMING - through childhood to adult we develop through our experiences, family background and environment our own ‘model of the world’ with judgments, values and beliefs, almost like a program. NLP questions this model and asks if it is correct, true or helpful? If not, we work towards making changes to make life improvements.
The history of NLP
It was first developed in the 1970’s by Americans Richard Bandler & John Grinder as a new and fast treatment for those with problems or limitations in their lives. It is referred to as “The Pursuit of Excellence” as whenever a technique or tool works for a client, instead of staying this is the answer, we consider if that worked well how can we make it even better! Therefore many practitioners and trainers are developing and improving on the original idea.
It is important for a practitioner to ‘get inside’ the clients ‘model’ leaving their own judgments, beliefs & ideas outside the work. The NLP I use works in a variety of ways including; information gathering, observing body language and the tone or pitch of voice, visual techniques, movement and spatial awareness.
Recommended reading
Anyone interested in finding out more about NLP I would recommend reading:
- Frogs into Princes by Bandler & Grinder
- The insider’s Guide to Submodalities by Bandler and one of my wise and wonderful tutors the late Will Mcdonald
- Awaken the Giant Within by Anthony Robins
- Notes to a Friend- Anthony Robins
- The Secrets of Magic – L. Michael Hall
I myself have found amongst the many books I have studied The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, Freedom from The Known by Krishnamurti and Ask and It is Given by Esther & Gerry Hicks very beneficial in the development of my work.
I trained with Sensory Systems Training and my qualifications are through the Society of Neuro-Linguistic Programming North West USA.
