NLP (neuro linguistic programming) is a collection of techniques and strategies for behavioural changes. It focuses on the connection between neurological processes language and behavioural patterns are learned through experience (programming). It helps to understand ourselves and our habits through a focused communication between our mind, body, emotions and actions.
The aim of NLP is to help change the thinking process in order to achieve specific goals and it offers a toolkit of sensory and language applications which help us to understand our own mind, thoughts and behavioural patterns; patterns which might not have proved beneficial to us in the past. By embracing new ideas and developing new strategies to replace unproductive ones and learning how to change our thinking processes at a subconscious level, new habits and behaviours become easier to implement, and therefore desired personal aspirations can be achieved.
For PTSD and past trauma sufferers, NLP is a therapy which does not require individuals to discuss their problems at length, but offers a solution bringing clarity, understanding, deep healing and the hoped for change at an unconscious level.
Although Neuro Linguistic Programming is well known as a psychological approach for personal development and in business settings, in clinical application the use of NLP has numerous health benefits. As a therapy, NLP is an effective healing tool for many aspects of mental health, such as stress management, addiction recovery and weight management to name a few.
NLP was developed in the 1970s primarily by the linguist Dr. John Grinder (associate professor at U.C Santa Cruz) and the mathematician/information scientist/psychology student Richard Bandler. Together, with select leaders in their fields of psychology, psychotherapy, social work and cognitive science, they conducted studies which looked at individual successes as a way to analyse human behaviour for change.They wanted to uncover why some people are able to succeed, while others are not.
Grinder and Bandler considered brain patterns and how words and actions are linked together to form certain sequences of behaviour. They aimed to find a way to model these inner and outer communications, reproduce that model and teach it to others.
The enthusiasm and success of NLP over the last few decades has grown from this group of contributors, into a widely used practice used in business as well as clinical settings. The study and further development of NLP continues to grow through deeper research, sharing and training to this day.
