# Neuro-linguistic programming Source: https://spiritfold.com/Neuro-linguistic_programming Published by the Australian Spiritual Alliance on Spiritfold, licensed CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. **Neuro-linguistic programming** (**NLP**) is a set of techniques for communication and for changing behaviour. The authors of a 2012 systematic review describe it as a framework for understanding how people think and behave, and for helping them change.[1] The name reflects what its creators claimed: a connection between neurological processes ("neuro"), language ("linguistic") and patterns of behaviour learned through experience ("programming"), and NLP has been offered in business, education and medicine.[2] ## Description ### Core ideas There is no agreed definition of NLP, but its different versions share some core ideas. The most important for a learner to grasp is the idea that each person's inner picture of the world leans towards one sense (seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling or tasting), called their "preferred representational system", and that this preference shows in their choice of words and in their eye movements. For example, a "visual" person might say "I see what you mean", while an "auditory" person might say "I hear what you say". NLP's central claim is that communication is more effective, or more persuasive, when it is matched to the other person's preferred system.[1] ### Techniques NLP practitioners use a person's preferred system as a basis for building rapport, for "modelling", for drawing out clearly defined goals ("well-formed outcomes"), and for "anchoring", a form of conditioning.[1] Other techniques include framing and reframing (changing the way a situation is viewed), creating new behaviours, revising values and beliefs, and breaking negative anchors.[3] An anchor is a stimulus that sets off a particular response. In one technique used with fears, the practitioner links a pleasant state and the feared state to separate anchors, often a touch, then sets off both together, aiming to weaken the fear response.[3] ### Sessions NLP work usually moves through steps such as building rapport, gathering information, defining the outcome the person wants, and using tools such as structured sets of questions. Sessions may be weekly, with the number depending on the person's needs.[2] In the studies included in the 2012 review, NLP was mostly given over 4 to 20 sessions, though three studies used a single session.[1] ### What the evidence says A 2012 systematic review found ten studies of NLP and health (five randomised controlled trials and five before-and-after studies) covering anxiety disorders, weight maintenance, morning sickness, substance misuse and claustrophobia during MRI scans. Four of the five trials found no significant difference between groups, and the risk of bias in all the studies was high or unclear. The reviewers concluded there was little evidence that NLP improves health outcomes, but stressed that this reflected the small amount and poor quality of the research, not strong evidence that it has no effect.[1] Some of NLP's specific claims have been tested and not supported. In three studies, the eye movements of people who were lying or telling the truth didn't follow the pattern NLP predicts, and teaching people about that pattern didn't improve their ability to detect lies.[4] A 1988 review of 63 studies, cited in a 2024 commentary, found the idea that a person's preferred system can be identified from their eye movements and behaviour was not well supported.[3] These findings matter because NLP's central claim depends on reading a person's preferred system accurately.[1] Individual NLP techniques overlap with more established psychological methods: the 2012 reviewers compared rapport with person-centred counselling, modelling with learning by observation, well-formed outcomes with goal setting, reframing with cognitive behavioural therapy techniques, and anchoring with classical conditioning.[1] In other words, much of what NLP teaches can also be found in methods that have their own research base.[1][3] ## Scope ### What it includes - Communication and behaviour-change techniques such as rapport, modelling, goal setting, reframing and anchoring[1][3] - Uses in business, education and health care[2] - Training for professionals and managers, including in Australia[5] ### What it is not - NLP is not an established treatment for any health condition (see What the evidence says).[1] - NLP practitioners are not a registered health profession in Australia. Psychology is one of the professions registered by the National Boards and Ahpra; NLP is not on that list.[6] ## Traditions and lineage NLP was developed in the 1970s by Richard Bandler and John Grinder, who studied counsellors known for communicating in ways that brought about significant change in their clients.[3] Early study of NLP was scholarly and presented it as a psychotherapeutic technique; commercial books in the 1980s marked its move from the academic world into the commercial one.[1] NLP training is regulated informally, through associations rather than by law. In the United Kingdom, the Association for NLP and, internationally, the International NLP Trainers Association recognise three levels (diploma, practitioner and master practitioner), based on hours of study and practice. Training is offered for business, personal development and health in many European countries, the United States, Canada and Australia.[1] Freedom of information requests by the 2012 reviewers found that UK National Health Service organisations had spent about £800,000 on NLP-related activity over three years, and that more than 700 NHS staff had trained in NLP, most of them in administrative or management roles.[1] ## Context ### Within Spiritualism Spiritfold has found no published source linking neuro-linguistic programming with [Spiritualism](https://spiritfold.com/Spiritualism). ### In Australian Spiritualism Spiritfold has found no published source linking neuro-linguistic programming with Spiritualism in Australia. ### A Spiritualist perspective Neuro-linguistic programming is a set of communication and behaviour-change techniques, and has no connection with Spiritualism. A Spiritualist would regard it as a separate field with its own trainers and its own claims, which, as the page shows, have been put to the test in research. Where a Spiritualist teacher would pause is on the ethics of influence. Rapport, careful listening and kind words are good in any setting, including a reading or a healing. But a medium's work rests on honesty: the evidence given should come from the spirit world, not from techniques of persuasion or from reading a sitter's words and reactions. Anyone who uses NLP alongside Spiritualist work should keep the two firmly apart, be open about what they are doing, never use influence on a grieving or vulnerable person, and refer on to qualified professionals for mental health needs. ## Neuro-linguistic programming in Australia The *11456NAT Graduate Certificate in Neuro-Linguistic Programming* is a nationally accredited course, current from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2031, with the Australian Skills Quality Authority as its recognition manager. It replaced the earlier 10970NAT course. It is designed for professionals and managers, such as human resource, health service and education managers, doctors, psychologists, solicitors and people in sales and marketing, to run their own NLP consultancies or to apply NLP in their own field. Its listed outcomes include analysing others' communication and thinking, using verbal and non-verbal cues, using metaphor, and NLP modelling. It is classified under management and commerce.[5] NLP is not among the health professions registered by Ahpra and the National Boards.[6] ## Safety and good practice Spiritfold has found no published source reporting on the safety of NLP. Two facts on this page matter most for safety. NLP practitioners are not registered health professionals,[6] and research has not shown that NLP improves health outcomes.[1] Anyone seeking help for anxiety, depression or another health concern should keep both in mind when choosing where to go. ## Related modalities - [Mirror work](https://spiritfold.com/Mirror_work) - [Relaxation techniques](https://spiritfold.com/Relaxation_techniques) - [Meditation](https://spiritfold.com/Meditation) ## References 1. Sturt J, Ali S, Robertson W, Metcalfe D, Grove A, Bourne C, Bridle C. ["Neurolinguistic programming: a systematic review of the effects on health outcomes"](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3481516/). *British Journal of General Practice*, 2012; 62(604): e757–e764 (accessed 11 October 2026). 2. Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH). *Neuro-Linguistic Programming for the Treatment of Adults with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder, or Depression: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness and Guidelines*. CADTH Rapid Response Reports. Ottawa: CADTH, 2014. Summary read via [Europe PMC](https://europepmc.org/article/MED/25473689) (accessed 11 October 2026). 3. Kattimani S, Abhijita B. ["Neurolinguistic programming: Old wine in new glass"](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11293289/). *Indian Journal of Psychiatry*, 2024; 66(3): 304–306 (accessed 11 October 2026). 4. Wiseman R, Watt C, ten Brinke L, Porter S, Couper SL, Rankin C. ["The eyes don't have it: lie detection and Neuro-Linguistic Programming"](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0040259). *PLoS One*, 2012. Abstract read via [Europe PMC](https://europepmc.org/article/MED/22808128) (accessed 11 October 2026). 5. ["11456NAT Graduate Certificate in Neuro-Linguistic Programming"](https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/11456NAT). National Training Register, training.gov.au. Accredited course, current 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2031 (accessed 11 October 2026). 6. ["Professions and Divisions"](https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registers-of-Practitioners/Professions-and-Divisions.aspx). Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) (accessed 11 October 2026). ## Further reading - Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. ["Professions and Divisions"](https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registers-of-Practitioners/Professions-and-Divisions.aspx). - Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health. [*Neuro-Linguistic Programming for the Treatment of Adults with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder, or Depression*](https://europepmc.org/article/MED/25473689). CADTH, 2014. - Kattimani S, Abhijita B. ["Neurolinguistic programming: Old wine in new glass"](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11293289/). *Indian Journal of Psychiatry*, 2024. - National Training Register. ["11456NAT Graduate Certificate in Neuro-Linguistic Programming"](https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/11456NAT). training.gov.au. - Sturt J, et al. ["Neurolinguistic programming: a systematic review of the effects on health outcomes"](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3481516/). *British Journal of General Practice*, 2012. - Wiseman R, et al. ["The eyes don't have it: lie detection and Neuro-Linguistic Programming"](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0040259). *PLoS One*, 2012.