What is NLP?

Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) has had many different definitions. Richard Bandler a student with interest in computer and gestalt therapy along with John Grinder, a professor of linguistics, were the original modelers of NLP. Bandler once defined NLP as "an attitude and methodology that leaves behind a trial of techniques." Grinder defined NLP as, "the study of excellence and how to reproduce it."

NLP is not about therapy. NLP is about identifying and recreating excellence. NLP is however, most often thought about in the context of therapy because Bandler and Grinder modeled Milton Erickson, Virginia Satir, Fritz Perls and Gregory Bateson in the original NLP model. Bandler being very interested in human behavior was drawn to how people do what they do (and what motivates people). Erickson, Satir, Perls and Bateson demonstrated excellence in their respective fields of therapy and so they were the natural choice to model for human behavior.

There are NLP models of sales, NLP models of target shooting, golf, wealth and so on.

NLP describes how we do what we do. I define NLP Like this... When you buy a car (or blender) they give you a manual for how to run it right? When you where born into your amazing body, no one gave you a manual. NLP is the manual for how your mind/body works.

NLP blends cognitive and behavioral aspects of how we create behavior. That behavior can be excellence in sports, excellence in sales, excellence in health or excellence in memory.

Excellence in therapy? Yep. That is the original NLP model.

Be amazing,
-Lane

Milton Erickson, a well known and respected MD, was a great proponent of hypnosis.  As a scientist and a explorer of human communications, Dr. Erickson spent the greater part of his life studying people in the context of their behavior and their language and how people go into a trance.

The original modelers of NLP studied Dr. Erickson as a model of excellence in the field of hypnotherapy and codified his language patterns, strategies and physiology for how to be an excellent hypnotherapist.  For those who want to fully study the NLP process called Milton Model, Richard Bandler and John Grinder wrote two books called Patterns of the Hypnotic Techniques of Milton H. Erickson, MD Volume I and Volume II that explain in great detail how Dr. Erickson used his language to achieve excellent results.

Dr. Erickson is the "hypno-archetype" for passive hypnosis.  Through the artful use of his language, he didn't need to ask for trance or even eye closure.  For those who have studied Mr. Elman techniques, direct hypnosis, Dr. Erickson would be the flip side of that coin.

Whether or not you actually use NLP, knowing the language patterns of Dr. Erickson have absolutely enhanced the results my clients get.

Probably the most useful aspect of Ericksonian techniques I enjoy is the use of metaphors. It is enjoyable for me and the clients!

If you have an interest in discussing Milton Model, just post a message in the forum.

Be amazing,

-Lane