The origins of NLP

NLP, as you are aware, is a rapidly growing field and under constant improvement and advancement, but where did it all begin? It is possibly beneficial to understand a little more about what it is and where it comes from.

So where did it all begin?

It was during the 1970's in California that linguistics professor John Grinder and Richard Bandler formulated and developed the concepts which would become known as Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP).

Where did they begin?

Grinder and Bandler were deeply interested in both the verbal and non-verbal communicative skills of some of the great and renowned therapists of the day. Through careful analysis and study (a process which they termed 'modelling') they were able to build a picture of how each of the therapists communicated and by extension also began to develop a unique understanding of our own 'inner communication'.

What do you mean by inner communication?

Bandler and Grinder became aware that people utilised similar labelling systems and internal dialogue when they processed information. Their study of the various therapists revealed how each used language (often unconsciously) which matched their clients' inner dialogue. By understanding and matching this language they were able to help their clients to subtly alter their own inner thoughts and redirect any negative elements in a more positive direction.