NLP uses perceptual, behavioural, and communication techniques to make it easier for people to change their thoughts and actions. It was developed by Richard Bandler and John Grinder, who believed it was possible to identify the patterns of thoughts and behaviours of successful individuals and to teach them to others. Effective communication is the key elements of neuro-linguistic programming. Some of the techniques used are anchoring, which turns sensory experiences into triggers for certain emotional states, Rapport, the therapist tunes into the client by matching their physical behaviours to improve communication and response through empathy, the Swish method, which changes patterns of behaviour or thoughts to wanted rather than unwanted outcome and visual/kinaestheticdissociation or Rewind, which removes negative thoughts and feelings associated with a past event.
In practice we may use the Swish method to allow clients to see their preferred outcome of a situation, or a preferred view of themselves. The joy with this method is that it can be done by the client whist at home at any time and doesn’t require Hypnosis. I have used this with clients who need help with weight loss and motivation at the gym.
We use rewind to assist with Phobia and trauma. It is a non-threatening method which detatches the client from the emotional feelings attached to a memory or a trigger. I have used Rewind successfully on a number of Dog and spider phobia and most recently a fear of flying.
