54 business development RApport 52

NLPt and NLP

By Sharon Rooke

N
eurolinguistic psychotherapy and
neuro-linguistic programming –
what’s the difference?
Neuro-linguistic programming is
defined as ‘the study of the structure of
subjective experience’ or ‘an attitude,
a methodology, that leads to a trail of
techniques’ or ‘modelling excellence’.
You may have your own definition
because that’s part of the beauty of NLP
– it’s flexible and personal!
Neurolinguistic psychotherapy is a
specialised context of the application of
NLP skills, knowledge with the backdrop
of understanding change, systems and
people. It is applied psychology in
a therapeutic setting, assisting clients to
achieve their outcome.
Some years ago I decided to become
fit. ‘What does that mean to you, how
will you know?’ My husband has learnt
a great deal of NLP through osmosis!
I wanted a holistic level of fitness,
an outcome that covered different
Within the origins of NLP
elements. lie three distinct models of
So I signed up for a triathlon! psychotherapy
Receiving many learnings about ecology
within outcomes, and also very practical to swim, feeling comfortable in the deep the creators, exemplars, leaders of
experience of the Bandura Curve. end. We were now moving into open these models; Perls, Satir and Erickson
Beginning the training meant buying water, deep sea diving, exploring new respectively.
certain equipment; a bike (essential); frontiers! At their time, they were pushing the
swimming hat and goggles (again Training to become an accredited boundaries of the field of psychotherapy.
essential); a tri suit (reluctantly but open neurolinguistic psychotherapist Each could be viewed as a maverick,
to other’s expertise). Some advice given covers NLP, human development, because of the difference to the norm
was better than others; waterproof psychopathology, psychopharmacology, of that time. And that time was rich
mascara was not purchased. psychotherapeutic theories and pickings for doing something different.
But the biggest shock and realisation modalities; completing a research Moving away from the rigidity and
was swimming. OMG! But I had been project and a mental health placement. prescriptiveness of psychoanalysis,
swimming for years – since I was that The robust accreditation process for focusing on the person, their process
high! I was quickly discovering that I NLPtCA, leading to UKCP registrant and outcome. Formulating beliefs about
didn’t know how to swim, I simply knew means rigorous levels of competence, people and change that develop and
how not to sink! integration, qualitative and quantitative merge into NLP presuppositions.
A minimum of a 4-year journey, criteria which felt strangely reassuring. NLP and NLPt are empowering
including the 2 years’ diploma training In his encyclopaedia, Dilts defines models, providing means and methods
to become a qualified Neurolinguistic psychotherapy as being ‘the practice of of assisting people to become more
Psychotherapist, was a similar realisation. helping people to regain and maintain empowered in their thoughts, feelings
A Master Practitioner and Trainer of NLP, mental health’. Within the origins and behaviours.
I thought I knew it all and able to help of NLP lie three distinct models of Learn about Submodalities and you
anyone, unaware of what was to follow. psychotherapy – Gestalt therapy, Family can become the director of your own
The reality was that I had only learnt how therapy, Clinical Hypnotherapy – from mind, changing the characteristics of
business development RApport 52 55

the picture and the soundtrack, thereby supervision to 450 client hours, a good wanted to stop taking drugs, completely
changing the meaning. Understanding working alliance is essential. off the scale in terms of scope of practice
the principles of systems and process An NLPt supervisor is a qualified and and training qualification.
questioning an internal map can be experienced NLPt psychotherapist, Scope of practice boundaries exist to
tracked to influence with integrity, who has had additional and specialised protect the therapist and the client. All
leading them to their outcome. training in supervision. They provide therapists can go out of their depth,
Lingering with linguistics enables support, exploring how the therapist is sometimes without knowing, sometimes
language to be ambiguously vague impacted or affected by their work. The being caught in the rip tide and finding
or the frame to be switched; offering therapist becomes consciously aware of themselves pulled along by a current
alternative meanings or contexts. And the constructs within the therapeutic that they weren’t aware of, but that was
the difference that makes the difference: relationship. A managerial role in much stronger than them. Knowing what
modelling. With all of this and much supervision explores ethical dilemmas to do when we’re out there keeps us safe
more available how could we not and ensures standards of competence and it also keeps our clients safe too.
become empowered and empowering. and scope of practice. Seeing a new client with a new
Dislikes, limiting beliefs and bad habits The scope of practice or range of problem may be really exciting and great
or un-useful strategies can become issues is a defining line between NLP and experience for you, using your second
transformed. NLPt. At a NLP practice group there was positioning skill you can future pace
So where are the boundaries? The whether this would be a great experience
lifeguards, the guide rope or the shark for them.
net that need to exist to support
NLP and NLPt are Utilising your third positioning skills
practitioners to stay safe and not go out empowering models you are able to perceive how this
of their depth, especially when working situation would be considered from an
alongside a non-swimmer. What exists some shared learning of NLP experience independent perspective or maybe at a
to keep the client safe? What is your and working with others. Excitedly they complaints hearing. This is empowering.
boundary of safe practice? How do shared their story of working with their An experienced NLPt supervisor says
you make sure that you are working friend (any flags of boundaries yet?). that because NLP is so empowering we
appropriately for your training? This person had just completed a 30- can lose sight of boundaries.
NLPtCA is a member organisation of hour NLP Diploma and was very keen to Changing limiting beliefs is a skill;
UKCP, part of the Constructivist and utilise their new found skills. Their friend maintaining limits is skilful.
Existential College, that provides a route
to UKCP and PSA registration. UKCP
is the quality mark for high standards
in psychotherapy. It holds a national
register of psychotherapists and
psychotherapeutic counsellors, listing
members who meet standards and
training requirements. They also hold a
specialist register for psychotherapists
qualified to work with children and
young people.
NLPtCA, the home of NLP therapy,
has 100 members that are supported
and guided by ethics, policies and
procedures. A community of NLPt
professionals that offer neurolinguistic
psychotherapy and counselling; training
and development to become and
maintain the title of Neurolinguistic
Psychotherapist; clinical supervision
to ensure personal and professional
development that is educative,
supportive and managerial.
The supervisory relationship is one of
the most important relationships for the
trainee neurolinguistic psychotherapist.
With a current requirement of 150

Sharon Rooke is Chair of NLPtCA, a UKCP registered Psychotherapist, NLPtCA accredited

Psychotherapist and Supervisor, Satir Psychotherapist of Systemic Therapy, and INLPTA Trainer of NLP.