Reprogramming Language, Mind & Behavior
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is an approach that posits a link between neurological processes (neuro), language (linguistic), and behavioral patterns learned through experience (programming). It offers a set of models, techniques, and skills designed to help individuals study successful behavior and quickly replicate those patterns to achieve their goals, often focusing on changing habitual thinking and communication styles.
Who Created NLP?
NLP was created in the early 1970s by Richard Bandler, a student of mathematics and computer science, and John Grinder, a professor of linguistics, at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Their work was based on "modeling" or studying the communication and behavior patterns of three renowned psychotherapists they considered highly effective:
Fritz Perls (Gestalt Therapy)
Virginia Satir (Family Systems Therapy)
Milton H. Erickson (Hypnotherapy)
Bandler and Grinder synthesized these observed patterns into teachable communication and change techniques, arguing that success could be coded and replicated (Bandler & Grinder, 1975).
Perspectives in NLP
The Therapist's (Practitioner's) Perspective
The NLP practitioner adopts a pragmatic, solution-focused, and educational perspective. They believe that if one person can do something, anyone can learn to do it by adopting the same internal and external strategies.
The practitioner prioritizes:
Modeling Excellence: Identifying the client's current behavioral strategy for a problem and contrasting it with a strategy they wish to adopt (modeled from someone successful).
Sensory Language (VAK): Understanding how the client uses their preferred sensory system (Visual, Auditory, or Kinesthetic) to process information and communicate.
Presuppositions: Operating from core philosophical assumptions, such as "The map is not the territory" (meaning a person's perception is not reality) and "There is no failure, only feedback."
State Management: Helping the client shift their internal physiological and emotional state to better align with their desired behavior.
The Client's Perspective
The client shifts from viewing their problems as deep-seated psychological flaws to seeing them as ineffective communication and thinking strategies that can be rapidly replaced.
The client learns to:
Identify Patterns: Become highly aware of the specific internal language, pictures, and sensations (sub-modalities) they use when engaging in an undesirable behavior.
Take Responsibility: Accept that they have the ability to quickly "reprogram" or choose new neurological and linguistic strategies.
Focus on Outcomes: Define clear, specific, and positive goals (well-formed outcomes) rather than dwelling on the problem itself.
What to Expect in an NLP Session
NLP sessions are typically active, fast-paced, and focused on technique application. They rely less on emotional catharsis or deep insight and more on changing the structure of thought and language.
Establishing Rapport: The practitioner focuses intensely on mirroring and matching the client's body language, breathing, and communication style to quickly build unconscious trust.
Eliciting State and Strategy: The practitioner uses precise questioning to discover the client's internal sensory sequence (e.g., "What is the first picture you see when you think of that fear? What do you say to yourself next?").
Technique Application: The practitioner leads the client through a specific, structured exercise designed to change the negative pattern. Common techniques include:
Swish Pattern: Rapidly changing a negative mental image (e.g., of smoking) with a positive one (e.g., of being healthy) to break the association.
Anchoring: Associating a desired internal state (e.g., confidence) with a physical touch (an anchor) so the client can quickly access that state later.
Reframing: Changing the client's perception of a situation by putting it in a different context or meaning.
How NLP Can Help a Person
NLP's focus on observable communication and behavior can lead to quick, demonstrable changes, particularly in specific skill deficits.
Rapid Behavior Change: Due to its focus on strategy and programming, NLP is often used to quickly eliminate specific fears, phobias, and unwanted habits.
Improved Communication: By teaching clients to recognize and adapt to others' sensory language (VAK), it can significantly enhance rapport and persuasion skills in professional and personal life.
Goal Achievement: The well-formed outcome model provides a structured, clear path for defining and pursuing personal and professional goals, bypassing common psychological blocks.
Common Uses and Applications (DSM-5 Disorders and Life Problems)
While NLP is not recognized by major mental health organizations as an evidence-based treatment for serious DSM-5 disorders, its techniques are widely used in coaching and counseling for specific behavioral issues:
Phobias and Specific Fears: Techniques like the Fast Phobia Cure are a popular NLP application.
Smoking Cessation and Weight Loss (Habit Change): Using anchoring and swish patterns to break addictive links.
Performance Anxiety: Helping athletes, public speakers, or performers manage internal states and fear of failure.
Professional and Leadership Coaching: Improving motivation, communication, rapport-building, and goal setting.
References
Bandler, R., & Grinder, J. (1975). The structure of magic I: A book about language and therapy. Science and Behavior Books.
Corey, G. (2021). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (11th ed.).
Cengage Learning. (Note: While not a core theory, NLP is often discussed in broader texts on counseling theory and brief approaches.)
Ready to Uncover Your Best Thinking Strategy?
If you are seeking a fast-paced, goal-oriented approach to break unwanted habits and enhance your communication, book a session today to connect with a therapist who can teach you the principles of Neuro-Linguistic Programming and how those principles can offer powerful insights.
