Ever feel like you end up doing the same thing over and over again? You try to progress your life and get over the hurdles that are stopping you from doing something different, but are always ending up with the same unwanted results. It could be they way your brain has become programmed. We are all creatures of habit, but we don't have to be.



Neuro-linguistic programming, or NLP, Defined

Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is a set of models of how communication impacts and is impacted by subjective experience. In addition to being an agent for change, NLP is also used in psychotherapy treatments for problems as diverse as phobias and schizophrenia. NLP also aims at transforming corporations, showing them how to accomplish their maximum potential and achieve great success.

The creators of NLP

The theories and application of NLP were co-created by two men in the 1970's. One a linguist, John Grinder and his partner Richard Bandler. The initial focus of their experiments in NLP was to discover what gave three psychotherapists the advantage in successfully treating their clients. These three psychotherapists, gestalt therapist Fritz Perls, family therapist Virginia Satir and founding president of the American Society for Clinical Hypnosis, Milton H. Erickson, were more successful in treatment than that of their peers.

Timeline of NLP

1970: Founding and early development

1972: Research of Fritz Perls, Virginia Satir and Milton H. Erickson begins.

1975: Subsequently Structure of Magic Series published

1976-77: Patterns of the Hypnotic Techniques of Milton H. Erickson published

1979: Frogs into Princes: Neuro Linguistic Programming published

1980: Neuro-Linguistic Programming: Volume I published

1980: Bandler and Grinder go their separate ways

1981: The first of many intellectual property lawsuits begin. NLP Training courses begin to be developed by many individuals. Given the diversity of developers and trainers, there is no single definitive system of NLP.

1982-87: Grinder and Judith DeLozier collaborated to develop the New Code of NLP.

1984-87: Research reviews in experimental counselling psychology by the United States National Research Council gave NLP an overall negative assessment marking a decrease in NLP research interest

1988-89: Bandler develops Design Human Engineering™ and later Neuro-Hypnotic Repatterning™

1990s: In the UK and other countries certification of NLP courses and providers begins

1996-97: Bandler files suit against Grinder claiming trademark infringement and intellectual property ownership of NLP.

Where the co-creators are now

The end of 2000 achieved a settlement between Bandler and Grinder when they agreed, "they are the co-creators and co-founders of the technology of Neuro-linguistic Programming."

Richard Bandler is currently with The Society of Neuro-Linguistic Programming™ and John Grinder can be found at The International Trainers Academy of Neuro-Linguistic Programming.

NLP Today

NLP continues to be an open field of training with different trainers and practitioners developing their own methods and concepts. One common thread in NLP is the emphasis on teaching a variety of communication and persuasion skills, and using self-hypnosis to motivate and change oneself. With numerous NLP practitioners advertising on the Internet today, many of their standards and quality of courses may differ. When performing a search for a NLP Training courses make certain to choose an organization with a good reputation.