NLP And Self Help

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is a method of psychotherapy that states the way we react to things has been programmed into our brains by our past experiences and the subconscious cues our mind receives based on preconceived notions or biases we may not even be aware we have. NLP hopes to help us change those things so we can live fuller, happier and healthier lives.

Why is it that two neighbors can react so differently to spiders or snakes or dogs? Let’s assume that they both have caring, attentive parents, are only children and are the same age. They grew up together and have had the same basic experiences. Yet when confronted by an outside factor like a spider, snake or dog, one gets scared while the other wants to play and make friends. The answer is programming.

Speaking on a personal level, I can clearly recall the exact moment I acquired my fear of spiders. I was a small child – maybe six but maybe younger. I was in the upstairs bedroom with my mother and I saw a large black spider. Mom was laying carpet and didn’t notice it. I did. I had been playing with a similar spider downstairs. Being too young to know I should be afraid of such a tiny thing, I commented that my friend had followed me upstairs. My mother wasn’t nearly as happy about the news.

My fear of spiders became deeply seeded in my mind the moment my mother screamed and squished my eight legged friend with a large roll of carpet.

NLP therapists insist they could help me with this.

NLP dictates that most phobias, psychosomatic illnesses, habit disorders and most cases of depression are all things that can be solved by finding the subconscious thoughts that are causing these behaviors and changing them. By changing the way we think about these things, we can change the way we react to them. That seems to make sense. Science isn’t as convinced.

There is no solid proof scientifically that speak to the results of NLP therapy. That hasn’t stopped many private practitioners and hypnotherapists from adopting the method and putting it into action with their patients. The method has gained popularity in the self-help and business world – both for obvious reasons.

NLP and self-help really go hand in hand. The key to chance in NLP is self-realization – looking inside yourself for answers instead of looking inside a prescription bottle. Instead of setting goals that will not work for you, working with your natural abilities to set goals you can in fact reach.

In the business world, the focus is on interpersonal communication – developing positive habits and behaviors to make you feel more confident and more capable to go after the promotion you want.

Whether or not mainstream psychotherapy is on board, Neuro-Linguistic Programming is a method that has been around since the 1970s and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere any time soon.

Find more info about NLP Courses information as well as NLP Practitioner course info.

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