A theory and therapy for achieving greater health, emphasizing the mind-body connection. “Neuro” refers to the workings of the brain and to consistent, detectable patterns of thinking. “Linguistic” refers to verbal and nonverbal expressions of the brain’s thinking patterns. “Programming” implies that these patterns are recognized and understood by the mind and that they can be altered. The NLP practitioner’s goal is to uplift a person’s state of health and well-being by helping to “reprogram” that person’s beliefs about healing and about themselves. By “reading” automatic body changes such as skin color changes, muscle tension, eye movements, moisture on the lips and eyes, as well as other physiological responses, the NLP practitioner discerns how a client perceives and relates to issues of identity, personal beliefs, and life goals. NLP practitioners attempt to help clients replace false or negative perceptions with positive, life-affirming beliefs. As an adjunctive therapy and as a separate methodology in its own right, NLP has been used in cases of AIDS, cancer, allergies, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and migraine headaches, as well as to enhance general well-being, self-esteem, and interpersonal skills.
NLP was developed in the early 1970s by John Grinder, professor of linguistics at the University of California at Santa Cruz, and Richard Bandler, a student of psychology and mathematics at Santa Cruz, in an effort to define the qualities of excellence in several accomplished individuals. Grinder and Bandler studied the thinking processes, language patterns, and behavioral patterns of Lritz Peris, father of Gestalt therapy; Virginia Satir, a renowned family therapist; Milton Erikson, M.D., notable hypnotherapist; and Gregory Bateson, a leading anthropologist and communication theorist. They concluded that many of the behavioral and psychological elements that enabled these individuals to excel were unconscious and intuitive and that the participants could not describe their own exceptional qualities.
A theory and therapy for achieving greater health, emphasizing the mind-body connection. “Neuro” refers to the workings of the brain and to consistent, detectable patterns of thinking. “Linguistic” refers to verbal and nonverbal expressions of the brain’s thinking patterns. “Programming” implies that these patterns are recognized and understood by the mind and that they can be altered. The NLP practitioner’s goal is to uplift a person’s state of health and well-being by helping to “reprogram” that person’s beliefs about healing and about themselves. By “reading” automatic body changes such as skin color changes, muscle tension, eye movements, moisture on the lips and eyes, as well as other physiological responses, the NLP practitioner discerns how a client perceives and relates to issues of identity, personal beliefs, and life goals. NLP practitioners attempt to help clients replace false or negative perceptions with positive, life-affirming beliefs. As an adjunctive therapy and as a separate methodology in its own right, NLP has been used in cases of AIDS, cancer, allergies, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and migraine headaches, as well as to enhance general well-being, self-esteem, and interpersonal skills.
NLP was developed in the early 1970s by John Grinder, professor of linguistics at the University of California at Santa Cruz, and Richard Bandler, a student of psychology and mathematics at Santa Cruz, in an effort to define the qualities of excellence in several accomplished individuals. Grinder and Bandler studied the thinking processes, language patterns, and behavioral patterns of Fritz Peris, father of Gestalt therapy; Virginia Satir, a renowned family therapist; Milton Erikson, M.D., notable hypnotherapist; and Gregory Bateson, a leading anthropologist and communication theorist. They concluded that many of the behavioral and psychological elements that enabled these individuals to excel were unconscious and intuitive and that the participants could not describe their own exceptional qualities.