Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) provides us with a powerful set of tools that allows us to listen, understand and communicate with greater insight and effectiveness.

From the collaborative efforts in the 1970’s  of Dr John Grinder and Richard Bandler,  excellence in human behaviour was analysed in such a way that the results created by that behaviour could be duplicated by others (modelling).  

Neuro relates to our neurology – the ways in which we process information from our five senses through our brain and nervous system.

Linguistic relates to the use of language systems, including  words, symbols, syntax, body language, to code, organise and attribute meanings to our internal representations of the world and the way in which we communicate both internally and externally.

Programming is a computer metaphor and relates to the way in which our experiences are stored, coded, transformed and recalled, and the way in which we can alter our mental software to change how we think and act.

There are a number of presuppositions key to NLP.  Two fundamental aspects are:

• The Map is not the Territory.  It is only through our representational systems that we can view the world and that system is but one interpretation. Each of us processes our experiences through our own unique neurological, social and individual constraints.  As no two people have exactly the same experience, our interpretation of reality is, therefore, unique.


• Life, Mind and Body are one System.    From our external environment to our very cells, we live within systems and sub-systems where a natural state of balance is maintained.  When one part of a system changes, the other parts will be affected. When you change yourself, your experience changes.

Essentially, NLP is about how to run our brain in a productive way to consistently achieve the results we want.  The people who are most effective at what they do, have a map of the world that allows them to perceive the greatest number of available options.  The tools of NLP allow us to expand our perspectives and options to achieve the results that are most useful for us.

Today, NLP is widely used in many professional fields such as counselling, coaching, speech writing, advertising, psychotherapy, education, health, law, management, sales, leadership and parenting.

If you seek personal change, NLP is an excellent way to break free from the limitations, attitudes, habits and fears that hold you back and provides a structure for new empowering ways of being.