Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is a psychological therapy that is often used as a tool for psychological coaching and personal development. It is also used to address lifestyle issues that may involve behavior change for individuals, such as smoking, binge eating or excessive alcohol use.
Origins
NLP was originally developed in the 1970s by linguist Dr. John Grinder and psychologist Dr. Richard Bandler. It is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the individual's experience of the world and how this is translated into thoughts, language and behavior. The therapy recognizes that external senses, such as touch, taste and smell, can have a direct effect on a person's emotional response. This in turn is linked to thought processes, which may then affect behavior. For example, the smell of a certain food may trigger a memory of childhood. If this is a happy memory, the emotional response is a positive one. The person's thoughts may turn to pleasant times and the behavioral reaction may be to share the memory and communicate positive thoughts.
Theory
The therapy is described as a communication model that represents the person's internal experience and how this is communicated to others. As the name suggests, the NLP model is divided into three components: neuro, linguistic and programming. Neuro relates to the mind and body as a system and how sensory external experiences, such as taste or smell, are processed by the mind. Linguistic relates to the individual's use of language. Significant attention is paid to use of language within NLP as this can accurately reflect how the person is thinking. Programming relates to the activity and learning how to reframe, or think differently, about the experience.
Features
As a therapeutic approach, NLP is increasingly being used to help promote positive lifestyle change. One of the attractions of this approach is that results can be achieved quickly. NLP is often used in smoking cessation programs. Techniques used to aide smoking cessation involve changing the person's use of language regarding the desire to smoke. For example, instead of saying "I really need a cigarette," you would be encouraged to reframe your thought processes and use of language to " I do not need a cigarette, I am experiencing a craving that will pass. I have the ability to stop smoking and live a healthier life." This is combined with negative visual images of smoking and tools of self-hypnosis to help reinforce and enhance the desire and motivation to stop smoking.
Considerations
NLP is a recognized psychological approach that is ever increasing in popularity and can help with smoking cessation. Other factors to take into consideration when attempting behavior change are the support networks available. Family and friends may be a valuable resource in providing strong and positive supportive networks. Personal motivation also plays a significant role in the success or failure of any lifestyle change.
Motivation
Motivation can be a variable factor when faced with the behavior change required for smoking cessation. The stages of change model identifies five stages that the individual experiences when considering behavior change. These stages are pre-contemplation, or denial of the need to change; contemplation, or recognizing the problem; preparation, or planning for change; action, or implementing change; and maintenance, when the change process is complete.
Stopping smoking is rarely easy and motivation may wane at times. However, the combination of NLP techniques and good personal support networks may help someone in the preparation and action stages of change succeed in his goal.
References
- Theoretical Roots of NLP Based Coaching in The Coaching Psychologist; Pelz, S.L and Hall, M.L, 2007, 3(1) 14-44
- Reframing: Neuro-Linguistic Programming and the Transformation of Meaning, Bandler R. and Grinder J., 1982
- Stages and Processes of Self Change of Smoking: Toward an Integrative Model of Change in Journal of Counselling and Clinical Psychology, Prochaska, J. and Diclemente, C., 1983, 51(3) 390-395
