Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) uses the term ‘meta-programs’ specifically to indicate general, pervasive and usually habitual patterns used by an individual across a wide range of situations. Examples of NLP meta-programs include the preference for overview or detail, the preference for where to place one’s attention during conversation, habitual linguistic patterns and body language, and so […]
Monthly Archives: April 2015
Preferred representational system
Originally NLP taught that most people had an internal preferred representational system (PRS) and preferred to process information primarily in one sensory modality. The practitioner could ascertain this from external cues such as the direction of eye movements, posture, breathing, voice tone and the use of sensory-based predicates. If a person repeatedly used predicates such […]
Sleight of Mouth Patterns
Redefine 1. What other meaning could the equation have? 2. A # B, A = C, and that’s D Consequence What will happen to them if they continue to think this way? Intention 1. Why are they saying this? 2. What is the secondary gain? 3. What are they trying to get? […]
Cartesian Questions
Cartesian Questions is a method for defining and loosening boundaries by using questions derived from Cartesian Logic. The purpose of Cartesian questions is not only to notice what answers the client gives you, it is also to begin to loosen up their model of the world as they begin to examine the limits of their […]
Sleight of Mouth
The concept of Sleight of Mouth came from Robert Dilts who observed and then modeled the persuasion skills of Richard Bandler, co-founder of NLP. Dilts was able to develop the Sleight of Mouth patterns as a result of discovering the methods Bandler and other famous communicators used in their day-to-day communication. While there are several […]
Conscious/Unconscious Distinction
Erickson often made distinctions between the conscious mind and the unconscious mind. Then he might frame a problem as being in the conscious mind and the solution in the unconscious. Then he would assist the patient in eliciting an unconscious resource to help them solve the problem. Example distinctions. hears/understands wonders/chooses may or may not […]
Conscious/Unconscious Dissociation
Ericksonian induction approaches often make a distinction between the unconscious and conscious minds. “The conscious mind _____________ while the unconscious mind _____________.” Examples: “The conscious mind thinks while the unconscious mind understands.” “The conscious mind wonders as the unconscious mind experiences.”
Symptom As Task
One of Milton Erickson’s most frequent interventions was to give the symptom as a task and alter the task in some way. For example, he might instruct a nail-biter to bite their nails at a specific time and to bite each nail for a certain length of time. Assigning the problem behavior as a task […]
Contextual Cues
When inducing hypnosis, it can be effective to give the client cues that something different is happening. When they move to the “relaxation chair,” and the lights are dimmed, they know its time to go into a trance. Below are some examples. Change the environment (lighting/seating) Change your voice tone (switch to hypnotic voice) Match […]
Implied Directive
Implied Directive is a subtle form of directive where you don’t actually tell someone to do something, but you assume something will be done. You then only give the option of signaling when it is done. The giving of the signal when it is done actually seems to have both motivating and reinforcing properties on the […]