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Neuro Linguistic Programming [NLP]
NLP is a form of psychology that deals with what works as opposed to what a psychological theory says ought to work. It asks HOW? rather than WHY?, and thus DOES IT WORK? rather than WHAT DID AN AUTHORITY SAY ABOUT IT?
We use some processes in "Quit Cigarettes in 69 Minutes" as well as other procedures inj this practice.
NLP develops its practice by observing what works, this is, how healthy balanced people carry out what they want to do. And further, what do exceptional achievers do? It has been described as the study of human excellence.
It might be
- making a speech
- coping with grief
- getting out of depression
- selling a product
- increase creativity
- overcoming learning difficulties
- supervising staff
- getting a raise
- self-motivation
- quitting smoking
- speak freely after stuttering
- improving sport performance
- relaxing
- the list goes on. And it goes on because somewhere, someone has already done it well, and we can learn how they did it!
- And more than that, we can look at the process and design better ways to perform.
We are not so concerned to work out what's wrong, as to ask: How do you get from here to where you want to be? That does include looking at and dealing with causes, but simply removing the pain of the cause isn't going to get you very far. We also need to give you the ability to live free successfully now and in the future.
For instance, in the all pervading pain that can follow from sexual abuse as a child, a therapist seeks to nullify the pain. The next step is to build up the person's self-image. A result of the abuse is that one's sense of identity damaged, and this has to be repaired and strengthened if any healing is to be effective, lasting, and encouraging growth.
Neuro Linguistic Programming began in the early 1970's when Richard Bandler and John Grinder began modelling three great therapists: the great medical hypnotist Milton Erickson, the family therapist Virginia Satir, and the psychotherapist Fritz Perls. They described what they said and did to achieve their results, without reference to what theories they had about it. From this there developed techniques to help people perform better and overcome limitations.
An example
This is a very simple example of changing an unpleasant memory
1. Remember an everyday problem you have had. It may have been something that disappointed you or you didn't perform at your best or you made a mistake. Just one particular event. Run a movie in your head of what happened in detail. Then notice how you feel.
2. Select some theme music that is upbeat and powerful with a brisk beat. I like circus music, some like something from TV, others are classical - whatever. Make sure that it lifts you [Avoid types of music that are physically depressing!]. Play it in your head so that you've got it.
3. Then start the music in your head loud and close. Keep playing that as you run your movie in your head through to the end.
4. Finish both and then draw a deep breath, and exhale slowly.
5. Now replay the movie without the music. How has it changed? For many people, the unpleasant feelings have diminished or vanished. If that didn't happen for you, try a different kind of music, and maybe you could visualise the music interweaving with your movie and changing its colour to something you find good. The colours of my garden do it for me, but there was a client who drove his racing car through the movie to Bach [PLAY WITH IT!]
And there are stunning ways to gain self-confidence ..... another day!
These techniques (some of which had been around for a long time) are used in psychology, medicine, education, business and indeed anywhere people function.
As time passes, techniques are refined and new processes developed.
[The example is modeled on a process in "NLP The New Technology of Achievement" by Steve Andreas and Charles Faulkner - Positive Paperbacks 1994. This is a very good introduction to NLP]
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