LIFEMINDED THERAPIES

Neuro-Linguistic Programming encompasses the three most influential components involved in producing human experience: neurology, language and patterning. A key element of NLP is that we form our unique internal mental maps of the world as a product of the way we filter our experience of the world around us. Everyone does this differently; therefore everybody's map or view of the world in their mind's eye is different and is highly influenced by their own filters, beliefs, values and experiences.

Neuro: Each individual has established their own unique mental filtering system for processing the millions of bits of data being absorbed through the senses. Our first mental map of the world is constituted of internal images, sounds, tactile awareness, internal sensations, tastes and smells that form as result of the neurological filtering process.

Linguistic: We assign personal meaning to the information being received from the world outside. We form our second mental map by assigning language to the internal images, sounds and feelings, tastes and smells, thus forming everyday conscious awareness.

Programming: The repeating patterns or programmes of behaviour a person exhibits as a result of neurological filtering processes and their use of language, which has been influenced by our experience of the world. This filtering system is highly unique to each individual. These patterns (or habits) run over and over again unless they are interrupted or redirected, just like a track on a CD being switched to continuous play.

A phobia is a good example of how the brain works. A particular situation or trigger (heights, spiders, and so on) produces a particularly strong physical response (sweaty palms, fast breathing, panic, etc). The brain learns quickly and thereafter, every time the person is presented with the same stimulus, their body knows to have the same response. The amazing thing is, people with phobias NEVER forget to have this response. This is the perfect one-time learning strategy!

Just as this automatic patterning works to our disadvantage in a phobia, it works to our advantage when we tie our shoelaces, drive a car, or do a million other things without having to think.

NLP is the exploration of HOW each individual experiences their own unique set of patterns. With NLP we can identify which patterns resource and serve us. Then we can choose to add new patterns to our behaviour and be more productive in those situations where we have under performed in the past. If we understand how we are the way we are, we can create choice about how we would like to be in the future.

NLP in Therapy

People experience life-changing events during NLP Therapy. NLP Therapy is about action: it's dynamic and energetic; making the changes you want to make happen right now. Everyone has all the resources they need to make positive changes in their life, and NLP techniques are used as a tool to facilitate these changes.

New patterns of behaviour are established and the NLP techniques learned can be used in other situations. NLP Therapy also tends to be fast and when combined with hypnosis is very effective in the area of weight control,stopping smoking and many other healthier lifestyle choices, such as stress reduction. When we struggle with problems we feel the affects of stress, especially when the problems are longstanding. Addressing the problem reduces the level of stress so therefore not only do we feel better emotionally, we feel physically better too.

NLP techniques provide new ways of dealing with fears and phobias, emotional problems such as low self-esteem, anxiety, lack of confidence, destructive relationship patterns and many more of the negative behaviours that have been holding you back

NLP provides the tools that enable the rich connection with self and others to happen.

Many of NLP's tools and applications are widely used in business, management, education, training and therapy. Many of us may have encountered and applied these principles in our life, without even realizing that it came from NLP.