International

Journal of Nursing Care

Review Article

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

Jessy Abraham1* and Dr. A Maria Therese2
1
Associate Professor, Mercy College of Nursing, Kottayam. Corresponding Author: Jessy Abraham, Associate
2
Mother Theresa Post Graduate and Research Institute, Professor, Mercy College of Nursing, Kottayam.
Puducherry.

Received: 2024 Feb 09 Accepted: 2024 Feb 29 Published: 2024 Mar 07

Abstract
We can mould our minds and personalities using a range of tools and methods. Here is one such method that is easier
to use and more beneficial for achieving our goals. Perception, thought, and action are all combined in Neuro-Linguistic
Programming, or NLP, to produce desired outcomes. It helps us understand what motivates human behaviour by looking
at the various parts that make up the human mind. It focuses on the ways that our thoughts, deeds, emotions, and a variety
of other unique traits interact to influence our behaviour. Numerous researchers discover that NLP is useful in many
facets of life. These methods can be applied to inspire people of any age in any circumstance.

Keywords: NLP, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, NLP Presuppositions, Mind and Brain

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) itual retreats. Neuro Linguistic Programming, or NLP, is a

“You can’t always control what happens, but you can always strategy that has gained greater acceptance in these fields
control how you deal with it” recently. This article goes into great detail on what NLP is
and how it functions.

Richard Bandler
Development of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
Introduction
In the 21st century, we are all extremely particular about the The 1970s witnessed the development of neuro-linguistic
quality and excellence of the choices that we make in every programming at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
area of our lives. We consider what will be best for our lives Richard Bandler, an information scientist and mathema-
when we make decisions about the things we buy for our tician, and linguist John Grinder are its principal founders.
daily life, even our relationships. But how excellent are our In addition, Judith DeLozier, Leslie Cameron-Bandler, David
lives, and how great are our personal life? A person who is Gordon, and Robert Dilts made substantial contributions
incredibly particular about the quality of everything they use to the field. Structure of Magic: A Book about Language of
considers the quality of their personal lives, which are more Therapy, written by Grinder and Bandler, was published in
visible to others than their belongings. We have at our finger 1975 [1-3]. It was their first book on NLP. The aim of this
tips an abundance of techniques and approaches if we want publication was to draw attention to specific communica-
to elevate our standards in our private lives by developing tion patterns that distinguish exceptional communicators
greater virtue. We can enhance our personal lives through from others. A large portion of the book was inspired by the
a variety of spiritual and psychological approaches. Such as writings of Milton Erickson, Fritz Perls, and Virginia Satir.
meditation, yoga, counseling, behavioral therapy, and spir- It also incorporated methods and theories from other well-
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Citation: Abraham, J., Therese, A. M. (2024). Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Int J of Nursing & Care, 2(2). 1-5. Page 1 of 5
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 International Journal of Nursing Care Copyright © Sana-e-Mustafa

known researchers and practitioners in the field of mental How Does NLP Work
health, including Alfred Korzybski, Noam Chomsky, Gregory We should take into account the composition and features of
Bateson, and Carlos Castaneda. The NLP emerged as a result the human brain and mind when analyzing how NLP func-
of Grinder and Bandler’s efforts [4-6]. tions

Today, NLP is applied in a variety of fields, such as business,

counseling, law, medicine, sports, the performing arts, the
military, and education [7, 8].

What is NLP
Neuro-linguistic programming, or NLP, is a pseudoscientif-
ic approach to psychotherapy, personal development, and
communication. It is a psychological approach that involves
analysing strategies used by successful individuals and ap-
plying them to reach a personal goal. It relates thoughts,
language, and patterns of behaviour learned through expe-
rience to specific outcomes.

Definition of NLP

“NLP is an attitude which is an insatiable curiosity about hu-

man beings with a methodology that leaves behind it a trail
of techniques. “

Richard Bandler (co-creator of NLP)

The strategies, tools and techniques of NLP represent an
opportunity unlike any other for the exploration of human Parts of Brain
functioning, or more precisely, that rare and valuable subset
of human functioning known as genius [9-12].

John Grinder (co-creator of NLP)

NLP believes that language, learned behavior patterns, and
brain functions are interrelated, and can all be changed to
achieve specific goals in life. According to Bandler and Grind-
er NLP can treat a variety of issues, including phobias, de-
pression, psychosomatic illnesses, nearsightedness, aller-
gies, the common cold, and learning disorders, frequently in
just one session

NLP is referred to as the “science and art of personal excel-

lence.” The main objective of NLP is to give us more behav-
ioral options. Three terms are integrated to create NLP [13].

Neuro:- Represents our “Thinking process” how we make

sense of the world around us through our senses.

Linguistic:- Represents “Our Language” The way we use What is Mind

language and how it influences ourselves as well as others
around us.

Programming:- -Represents “Our behavior”. The manner in

which we organize ideas and activities to yield both antici-
pated and unexpected outcomes.
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Citation: Abraham, J., Therese, A. M. (2024). Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Int J of Nursing & Care, 2(2). 1-5. Page 2 of 5
 International Journal of Nursing Care Copyright © Sana-e-Mustafa

Programming: - The “imprint stage” lasts for humans from

birth until they are eight years old. At this point in their
lives, all humans receive information through their five
senses, language, and emotions. These facts are registered
and stored by our subconscious, which creates our mental
schema, thought processes, and programming. The uncon-
scious mind is a template from which our life patterns or
personal programs are derived; it is unable to evaluate or
discriminate among this data; instead, it merely stores and
retains it within our body, brain, and neurological system.
These programs reside in the body, throughout our nervous
system, and in the unconscious mind. The majority of these
programs are accessed by our senses and the unconscious
mind. They influence our actions and are frequently regard-
ed as spontaneous actions, convictions, or behaviors. Data
from the senses is used to create a person’s mental map of
the world. This information may be perceived as gustatory,
Levels of Mind kinesthetic, olfactory, visual, or auditory. Practitioners of
NLP hold that each person processes experiences using a
A significant portion of human conduct is unconscious and is primary representational system (PRS), and that the quali-
shaped by information acquired during the “imprint stage” of ty and significance of this information varies depending on
the first seven years of life. Our personal values, beliefs, and the individual. If we want to alter something in our lives, we
attitudes are shaped by the information we receive through need to start with our subconscious minds.
our five senses and store in our brains as language and emo-
tional responses. Ultimately, these data serve as the basis for NLP, which includes a variety of tools and procedures for
our individual worldview, which serves as a blueprint for our the brain, can make this work simple. NLP is a collection of
beliefs and values in life. instruments, or “processes,” that can be applied in two dif-
ferent ways to assist individuals in enacting significant life
changes. First, NLP can assist in eradicating ingrained men-
tal patterns that stand in the way of our success and happi-
ness. These manifest in our lives as undesirable actions, con-
victions, and emotional and trauma triggers that obstruct
our ability to reach our full potential; second, NLP offers re-
sources to assist in developing higher emotional intelligence
and useful skills that are more suited to the needs of the in-
dividual [15].

The NLP Visual Map

Neuro: - The nervous system, or nerves, are the body’s electri-

cal system and are found throughout the mind and body. Ev-
ery nervous system is unique in terms of its electrical amps,
chemical composition, and power capacities. Magnetic fields
are found throughout the nervous system and are regulated
by bodily chemicals. The Brain is the center of this magnetic
field and is controlled by conscious and unconscious thought
impulses. The chemicals in the system are activated by emo-
tions. Ideas and thoughts generate the necessary chemicals, USES OF NLP
while emotions are the systems’ magnetism and thoughts
are the electricity. The body’s physiology provides the neces- Personal Development [9]
sary chemicals. Our neurology and neurological framework • 1 to 1 coaching
alter as we realign with desired changes, which alters our • NLP Practitioner training
behavior and how we perceive the world [14]. • Managing specific challenges
o Weight Loss
Linguistic: - Our neurology and representation systems are o Smoking cessation
coded internally and externally through language and non-
o Anxieties, fears and stress
verbal communication. It goes beyond simple communi-
o Presentations and performance
cation. It is how we interpret and give meaning to our ex-
o Parenting
periences. Language changes bring about changes in our
o Career changes
physiology and neurology.
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Citation: Abraham, J., Therese, A. M. (2024). Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Int J of Nursing & Care, 2(2). 1-5. Page 3 of 5
 International Journal of Nursing Care Copyright © Sana-e-Mustafa

Organisational Development is behavioural.

• Customer services 12. It is useful to make a distinction between behaviour and
• Presentation and communication skills self.
• Raising potential and achieving results 13. There is no such thing as failure, there is only feedback.
• Management skills
• High performing teams Pillors of NLP [11]
• Conflict resolution 1. Outcome
Before allocating any resources, all goals, no matter how big
Educational Development or small, require well-formed language and design specific-
• Managing Specific challenges ity.
o Dyslexia
o Autism and ADHD 2. Action
o Behaviour Precise application of a plan that is in perfect harmony with
o Exam nerves the establishment of any objective.
o Interview techniques
• Presentation and communication skills 3. Sensory Acuity
• Raising potential and achieving results Acuity, or sensitivity, to both internal and external realities,
• High performing SLT teams which either directly or indirectly influences the process of
setting goals.
Clinical Therapy
• Mental health issues 4. Flexibility
• Psychotherapeutic challenges, such as Flexibility in terms of embracing novel tactics and concepts
• More complex psychological issues, such as for achieving the objective.
o Depression
o Anxiety Reviews Related to the Effectiveness of Neuro-Lin-
o Panic Attacks guistics Programming
o Suicidal ideation Scientific research on the efficacy of NLP as a therapeutic
o Experiencing complex grief approach has been conducted, although rarely. Researchers
o Coping with the condequences of physical, emotional or looked into whether language and visualization strategies
sexual abuse used in neuro-linguistic programming could improve the
o Dissociation readiness of kids with special education needs for learning
in the classroom in a 2013 study. Researchers came to the
• Trauma and PTSD conclusion that NLP methods assisted the kids in creating a
• Addictions positive mindset that was favorable to learning. Neverthe-
• Working with less, it was clarified that these were only “brief, tentative
o Children and Young People conclusions.” Apart from additional restrictive variables, the
o Family Therapy sample comprised of merely seven children [3].
o Couples Counselling
o Sex Offenders Carried out a study to determine the impact of neurolinguis-
tic programming (NLP) on secondary traumatic stress disor-
NLP Presuppositions [10] der (STS) in nurses. The NLP wheel of life and the secondary
1. The meaning of communication is the response you get. traumatic stress scale were used for the pre-test. The neu-
2. The map is not the territory. rolinguistic programming-visual kinaesthetic technique was
3. Language is a secondary representation of experience. administered for 21 days, and a post-test using the same in-
strument was carried out a week later. The study found a sig-
4. Mind and body are parts of the same cybernetic system
nificant difference between the pre-test and post-test mean
and affect each other.
scores on the NLP wheel of life scale. The level of secondary
5. The law of requisite variety states that in any cybernet-
traumatic stress was effectively reduced by the NLP-visual
ic system, the element or person in the system with the
kinaesthetic technique [16].
widest range of behaviours or variability of choice will
control the system. The Application of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) on
6. Behaviour is geared towards adaptation. Cognitive Function and Stress Reduction.” The study’s find-
7. Present behaviour represents the very best choice avail- ings were indicated by a difference in significance level. The
able to a person. results of the various tests comparing the effects of apply-
8. Behaviour is to be evaluated and appreciated or changed ing neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) on stress reduction
as appropriate in the context presented. and cognitive function revealed that these two outcomes dif-
9. People have all the resources they need to make the fered from one another. Overall, this study finds that during
changes they want. the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of psychological training—
10. ’Possible in the world’ or ‘possible for me’ is only a mat- particularly the Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) meth-
ter of how. od—had a positive impact on stress levels and cognitive
11. The highest quality information about other people function [17].
Volume - 2 Issue - 2
Citation: Abraham, J., Therese, A. M. (2024). Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Int J of Nursing & Care, 2(2). 1-5. Page 4 of 5
 International Journal of Nursing Care Copyright © Sana-e-Mustafa

2. Conclusion 5. Sturt, J., Ali, S., Robertson, W., Metcalfe, D., Grove, A., et
We can see that the NLP has the potential to do amazing al. (2012). Neurolinguistic programming: a systematic
things for us as we progress through it. With the help of NLP, review of the effects on health outcomes. British Journal
we can alter our perspective on the past, how we think about of General Practice, 62(604), e757-e764.
our self, and how we approach life. Neuro-Linguistic Pro- 6. Tosey, P., Mathison, J. (2010). Neuro‐linguistic program-
gramming teaches us how to take charge of our life by teach- ming as an innovation in education and teaching. Inno-
ing us how to take charge of our mind. In contrast to psycho- vations in education and teaching international, 47(3),
analysis, which concentrates on the “why,” NLP is extremely 317-326.
useful and concentrates on the “how.” Our thoughts, feelings, 7. Tosey, P., Mathison, J. (2003). Neuro‐linguistic program-
and emotions are actions rather than things that exist or that ming and learning theory: A response. The Curriculum
we possess. Their causes are frequently quite complex and Journal, 14(3), 371-388.
may include things like things our parents or teachers have 8. Wiseman, R., Watt, C., ten Brinke, L., Porter, S., Couper, S.
said or believed, or things that have happened to us. NLP L., et al. (2012). The eyes don’t have it: Lie detection and
demonstrates to us how to take charge of these influences neuro-linguistic programming. PloS one, 7(7), e40259.
and beliefs. By employing mental strategies like visualiza- 9. Neuro–Linguistic Programming (NLP) Principles and
tion, we can alter our thoughts and emotions regarding past Techniques – Business Accessed 25 Jan. 2024.
experiences, anxieties, and even phobias. 10. THE 4 PILLARS OF NLP – Passion for Fresh Ideas. 10 Jan.
2014.
Funding 11. Neuro-Linguistic Programming.” Wikipedia, 30 Nov.
No funding sources 2023. Wikipedia.
12. McHugh, R. P. (1999). Mind with a Heart: Creative Pat-
Acknowledgements terns of a Personal Change. Gujarat Sahitya Prakash.
Thanks to the institution and to the participants 13. Rajasekaran, V. (2020). Neuro-Linguistic Programming
(NLP) Techniques: A Therapeutic Approach to Enhanc-
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Volume - 2 Issue - 2
Citation: Abraham, J., Therese, A. M. (2024). Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Int J of Nursing & Care, 2(2). 1-5. Page 5 of 5