What is NLP?

NLP, or Neuro-Linguistic Programming, is the art of transforming yourself and communicating harmoniously - with both yourself and the world around you.

In other words, NLP is a set of simple and practical tools drawn from different fields of psychology, designed for quick and effective work with emotional states, motivation, and various life contexts - from business to personal health.

NLP includes the following components:

• Neurophysiology
  As we know, we perceive the world through our five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch). The prefix "neuro-" refers to the nervous system and means that our bodily experiences are encoded and processed neurologically.

• Linguistics
  The study of language. One of the founders of NLP, John Grinder, studied linguistic patterns - the ways we encode meaning and values in the language we use.

• Programs
  In NLP, "programs" refer to sequences of actions - our successful (and not-so-successful) behaviors and thought patterns.

The History of NLP – Let’s go back to the beginning

The NLP project began in the early 1970s in Santa Cruz, California, founded by psychologist Richard Bandler and linguist John Grinder.

Their first models were some of the most influential psychotherapists and thinkers of the 20th century: Milton Erickson, Fritz Perls, Virginia Satir, Karl Pribram, Carlos Castaneda, and Gregory Bateson. Their unique approaches to deep psychological change and altered states of consciousness deeply influenced the development of NLP methods and philosophy.

By studying and modeling the work of these experts, Bandler and Grinder - along with their team called “The Meta Group” - translated what were once considered extraordinary and unrepeatable talents into practical, learnable techniques. These included:

• The art of effective communication

• Strategies for achieving success

• Therapeutic hypnotic techniques

• Methods for gathering information and connecting with the subconscious mind

Today, NLP practitioners actively explore and refine successful models across all areas of life - psychotherapy, business, advertising, coaching, relationships, negotiation, and more.

Richard Bandler continues to explore altered states of consciousness and has developed new technologies such as DHE (Design Human Engineering) and NHR (Neuro-Hypnotic Repatterning). John Grinder, along with Carmen Bostic, focuses on business consulting and corporate development.

Inspired by the work of Milton Erickson and NLP principles, David Gordon created a method for crafting transformative metaphors. Together with Leslie Cameron-Bandler and Michael Lebeau, he modeled strategies for building successful and fulfilling family relationships.

Another member of the Meta Group, Stephen Gilligan, became a renowned hypnotherapist. He and Connirae Andreas have worked extensively on deep personal change and identity transformation.

Finally, Robert Dilts made a major contribution by organizing and classifying a wide range of NLP techniques, making them more accessible and applicable for people worldwide.

Thus, NLP emerged at the crossroads of three seemingly unrelated disciplines - computer science, linguistics, and psychology - combining their principles into a unique and practical approach to human behavior and communication.

NLP in Practice

NLP is a part of applied psychology. However, it is widely used not only by psychologists and psychotherapists but also by politicians and skilled negotiators. In fact, the abbreviation "NLP" can often confuse or even scare clients, which is why a psychotherapist may use a technique without specifying that it comes from NLP.

As you delve deeper into the topic, you'll notice how NLP closely intertwines with other branches of psychology - and how many people, including public figures, actively use its methods.

NLP teaches us to recognize the connection between triggers and reactions, and it provides the tools for effective interaction with others - but first and foremost, with yourself: your emotions, your states, and your responses.

It's obvious that when speaking with someone from another country, you need to switch to their language. But what's less obvious is that we are all like foreigners to each other - each with our own beliefs, associations, and worldviews.
Being able to “switch to the language” of another person in order to reach understanding is another valuable skill that NLP helps to develop.

Emotional Healing

One of the most powerful aspects of NLP is its ability to help quickly release emotional pain from stressful or harmful past memories. Many NLP techniques are designed to rewire how the brain stores negative experiences, transforming old emotional patterns without needing to relive the trauma.

Instead of analyzing a painful event over and over, NLP allows us to change our inner response to it - often in just a few sessions. This creates space for peace, clarity, and renewed energy.

By working with both the subconscious mind and the nervous system, NLP helps us heal from within, giving us back the power to choose how we feel, how we react, and how we move forward in life.

Overcoming Limits and Achieving Goals

We all have internal programs that shape our behavior and expectations, often without us realizing it. Some of these programs empower us, but others keep us stuck.

With NLP, we can identify and transform the limiting beliefs, mental blocks, or emotional patterns that are standing in our way. Instead of being controlled by fear, doubt, or procrastination, we learn how to shift into clarity, motivation, and action.

NLP techniques support goal achievement by helping us create a clear vision, align it with our subconscious mind, and build the emotional resilience to follow through. It’s not just about thinking positively - it’s about reprogramming your mindset and inner responses so that real change becomes natural and sustainable.

Many people who work with NLP report significant progress in areas where they previously felt stuck: career advancement, self-confidence,relationships, health, or creative expression.

The process feels empowering because it gives you practical tools—not just theory - to take charge of your own growth.