Neuro-Linguistic programming (NLP) is a psychological approach which involves analysis of strategies used by successful individuals and applying them to reach a personal goal.

It relates language, thoughts, and patterns of behaviour learned through experience to certain outcomes.

NLP proponents assume all human action is positive. Hence, if something unexpected happens or a plan fails, the experience is either good or bad; it simply presents more useful information.

Presuppositions of Neuro-Linguistic Programming

The principles that form the Neuro-Linguistic programming have been modelled from key people who consistently produced spectacular results along with system theory and natural laws. These are said as “The Presuppositions of NLP”.

As a set of powerful skills, NLP is a philosophy and a useful attitude when your goal is excellence in whatever you do.

You can discover what happens in your life if these following statements relate to you:

• Have respect for another person’s model of the world.
• The map is not territory.
• Body and mind from a linked system.
• What you do, if it doesn’t work, try something else.
• Choice is better than having no choice.
• We always communicate.
• Meaning of communication is the response you get.
• Failure is just feedback.
• There is positive intention behind every behaviour.
• Anything is possible, if the task is broken down into small enough steps.

How Neuro-Linguistic Programming Works? 

The key elements of Neuro-Linguistic programming are modelling, action, and effective communication.

The belief is that when an individual understands how another person completes a task, the process might be copied and communicated to others, so they can accomplish the task as well.

NLP is an experimental approach and hence if a person wants to understand an action, they must perform that same action to learn from the experience.

Neuro-Linguistic programming practitioners believe there are natural hierarchies of communication, learning, and change.

The six levels of change are:

Purpose and Spirituality: This can be involvement in something larger than oneself, like ethics, religion, or another system. That’s the highest level of change.

Identity: Identity is the person you discern yourself to be and includes your responsibilities and the roles that you play in life.

Belief and Values: That’s your personal belief system and the issues that matter to you.

Capabilities and Skills: That’s your abilities and what you can do.

Behaviours: Behaviours are specific actions that you perform.

Environment: Your environment is your setting, including other people around you. That’s the lowest level of change.

According to NLP theory, the purpose of each logical level is organizing and directing the information below it.

As a result, changing a lower level will impact a higher level. Meanwhile, changing a higher level will result in lower levels.

Techniques of Neuro-Linguistic Programming 

NLP is a broad field of practice. So, NLP practitioners various techniques that includes:

1. Mirroring in Body Language 

Mirroring in body language is a non-verbal way to show empathy. It means something we do with people we like, i.e., copying their body language, facial expression, speech, and more.

A set of specific nerve cells in the brain called mirror neurons. These are responsible for mirroring. One such situation occurs when a person laughs.

2. Pacing and Leading 

By pacing and leading someone, we can take people into an open-eyed trance and influence them to do things or make decisions that aren’t typically done.

Since pacing and leading as a linguistic style is used every day in normal conversation, it’s harder to recognize.

While communicating, you generally use leading language to influence someone, but if you add pacing statements, you will see better results.

3. Silence Imposing Techniques 

If you want another person to stop talking, there are two effective NLP methods of winding down their continuous urge of speaking.

You can stay silent or if you disagree with them.

4. The No-Feedback NLP Technique 

Silence is the absence of any verbal feedback whatsoever. The absence of any feedback or reinforcement from another person is more feared than any physical punishment.

Hence, if you want someone to be quiet, then don’t pay attention to them, and they will eventually go away.

5. The Negative Feedback NLP Technique 

Another way to get someone away is by disagreeing with them. That’s the opposite of pacing and building rapport.

You might get an argumentative response, but maintaining your contrariness long enough will eventually make them go away.

6. The NLP Embedded Commands 

These are used to give commands instead of direct instructions. The NLP practitioner embeds the directive with large sentence structure.

NLP commands are mostly used in larger sentences to deliver them more gracefully and smoothly.

7. The NLP Embedded Questions 

This technique is used when a message listener or receiver doesn’t refuse a question, as it is embedded with a statement of speaker’s curiosity.

NLP embedded questions are a question inside a statement. It is used when a person doesn’t want to be too direct.

It helps in softening your language and makes the listener respond.

Applications of Neuro-Linguistic Programming 

Neuro-Linguistic programming fall broadly into four different quadrants that forms its application. The four applications of NLP model are:

• Personal Development
  • 1-to-1 coaching
  • NLP practitioner training
  • Managing specific challenges

• Organizational Development
  • Customer services
  • Communication, presentation, and management skills
  • Raising potential and achieving results
  • High performing teams
  • Conflict resolutions

• Educational Development
  • Managing Dyslexia
  • Autism and ADHD
  • Behaviour
  • Exam nerves and interview techniques

• Clinical Therapy
  • Mental health issues
  • Psychotherapeutic challenges
  • Complex psychological issues
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Addictions

Limitation of Neuro-Linguistic Programming

Because of its eclectic nature, Neuro-Linguistic programming is quite difficult to define as a treatment modality.

While numerous testimonials praise the approach, there are few scientific studies to date providing unbiased proof which is an effective mode of treatment for mental health issues.

Furthermore, the lack of regulation in certification and training resulted in many individuals becoming NLP practitioners despite lacking credible experience in mental health.