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Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and
Hypnotherapy are very closely related and
could be considered to come from the same
‘family’ of therapeutic approaches. In
fact, if you are considering having
hypnotherapy and are currently searching for
a therapist, you will probably find that
many hypnotherapists now-days, practice NLP
to some level and conversely that most NLP
practitioners who have completed certified
training courses, will also be familiar with
using hypnotic techniques during therapy
sessions.
How are these therapies similar?
Hypnotherapy utilises hypnotic techniques
in order to bring about therapeutic change.
Hypnotherapy enables a person to solve
personal problems by bringing about a deeply
relaxing state of mind. When the person is
deeply relaxed this allows the unconscious
part of the mind to use its resources to
find solutions. It also allows the person to
focus their attention completely on the
therapists voice in order to follow the
positive suggestions and guidance the
therapist is making. In hypnotherapy this
relaxed state is called trance. All people
experience trance states on a daily basis.
Trance simply refers to the experience of
being really relaxed. It also involves
focusing your attention so that it is highly
selective. Reading a really good book and
being completely absorbed in it, is an
example.
Have you had the experience of being
totally immersed in the characters of the
book, being able to vividly imagine what
they are like, whilst at the same time being
able to ignore other noises and distractions
going on around you? If so, you have
experienced trance. Using your imagination
and day-dreaming are other examples. Any
time that you ‘go inside’ your own head
you are in a light trance. If you’ve ever
had the experience of having a problem that
is constantly with you, so that it feels
like all you have or all you are, is this
problem, then you will know what it is like
to experience a bad trance.
Richard Bandler (a computer scientist)
and John Grinder (an associate professor in
linguistics) developed NLP in the 1970’s.
NLP was created after they spent time
studying and modelling therapists who were
considered to be extremely effective at
getting good results. One of these
therapists, was the Psychiatrist Milton
Erickson. He was also an extremely talented
hypnotherapist. Erikson’s style of
indirect hypnotic suggestion and skilled use
of ambigous and vague language patterns, has
become known as Ericksonian hypnosis. Since
NLP was developed after modelling Erickson,
many NLP techniques involve Ericksonian
hypnotic approaches. Like more traditional
hypnotherapy, NLP works with the unconscious
part of the mind in order to find solutions
to problems. NLP therapists are also trained
in using Milton Model language patterns in
order to induce light trance states in
clients. This is very useful at getting a
problem moving when a person is stuck in a
bad trance. Other hypnotic techniques that
are common to NLP include metaphorical story
telling and utilising the client’s
imagination in order to bring about a highly
focused state of attention during change
techniques – a trance state.
How do NLP and Hypnotherapy Differ
You will find that they are more similar
then they are different. During hypnotherapy
you are much more likely to be seated in a
comfy chair, perhaps reclining with your
eyes closed! During NLP you often get more
involved with the techniques on a practical
level, so you may be standing, or be
required to do or say certain things related
to overcoming your problem. You may still
get to close you eyes and you will certainly
get to use your imagination. NLP techniques
utilise hypnotic elements but usually in a
more subtle way, the NLP therapist will
empower you to draw on resources you already
have in order to bring about new options in
thinking.
When you see an NLP therapist you will
find they often use more traditional
hypnotherapy techniques as well. At the end
of your NLP session, after all the hard
work, you will often get to recline back in
your chair and experience relaxation so that
you leave the therapists office feeling
positive and ready to go on with your day.
Karen offers NLP and hypnotherapy, Herts
and is trained to master practitioner level.
Karen is trained to use Milton Model
hypnotic techniques during NLP and
Hypnotherapy, Herts.
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