FAQs relating to NLP This page answers some of the common questions about what NLP is, how it is used and how to find appropriate NLP support or training. Back to Understanding NLP Share Tweet LinkedIn Pin If you are new to NLP, this page answers some of the most common questions about what NLP is, how it is used and how to find appropriate NLP support or training. NLP is used in many areas including personal development, coaching, education, business, leadership and professional communication. This page is intended to help you make informed decisions about NLP and the professionals who practise it. Understanding NLP What does NLP stand for? What is NLP? How does NLP work? How did NLP develop? Applications of NLP What can NLP help with? Can NLP help with anxiety, confidence or phobias? Can NLP be used in business or education? NLP and Other Professions Is NLP therapy? Is NLP coaching? Research & Evidence Is NLP evidence-based? Is NLP a cult, manipulation or pseudoscience? Finding the Right NLP Professional Do I need an NLP professional or NLP trainer? How do I choose a good NLP professional? Why choose an ANLP member? What do Validated and Verified certifications mean? Where can I find someone to work with? Training & Professional Practice Can I practise as an NLP professional? Is my NLP training recognised professionally? What about online NLP courses? Practical Questions How long does NLP take? How much does an NLP session cost? Where should I start? Understanding NLP What does NLP stand for? NLP stands for Neuro-Linguistic Programming. It is a practical approach to understanding how people think, communicate, behave, learn and create change. You can read more on our Definition of NLP page. What is NLP? In simple terms, NLP is a collection of models, tools and techniques that help us understand the relationship between thinking, language, behaviour and results. NLP explores how people process experience, create meaning, communicate with others and develop patterns of behaviour. ANLP defines NLP as: NLP is a practical approach to understanding human behaviour and developing advanced communication skills. It offers tools that can help individuals, teams and organisations create positive change, improve outcomes and support wellbeing. For a more detailed explanation, visit our What is NLP? page. How does NLP work? NLP works by helping people notice patterns in how they think, communicate, behave and respond to situations. These patterns may influence areas such as: Confidence Motivation Communication Learning Decision-making Relationships Leadership Performance NLP also explores how successful outcomes are achieved. This process, known as modelling, involves identifying useful patterns in behaviour, thinking and communication so they can be understood, practised and applied more effectively. NLP has often been described as the study of excellence because it seeks to understand what makes effective performance possible and how those patterns can be transferred to others. How did NLP develop? NLP was developed during the early 1970s by Richard Bandler and John Grinder at the University of California, Santa Cruz. They explored a simple but important question: What makes the difference between someone who is competent and someone who excels? Their early work involved studying highly effective communicators and therapists, including: Fritz Perls Virginia Satir Milton Erickson By identifying patterns in language, behaviour and thinking, they developed models that could be taught and applied more widely. NLP also drew influence from linguistics, systems thinking, communication theory, psychology and other disciplines. Applications of NLP What can NLP help with? NLP may be used in many different areas, including: Personal development Confidence and self-belief Communication Relationships Coaching and mentoring Education and learning Leadership and management Business and organisational development Team performance Sales and negotiation Healthcare communication Sport and performance NLP can be used by individuals, teams and organisations. Can NLP help with anxiety, confidence or phobias? Many people use NLP to explore issues such as confidence, anxiety, fears, habits, motivation and emotional responses. Some people find NLP useful because it focuses on patterns of thinking, language and behaviour. However, NLP should not be presented as a guaranteed cure or a replacement for medical, psychological or psychiatric support. If you are experiencing significant distress, trauma or a mental health condition, you should seek support from an appropriately qualified healthcare or mental health professional. Can NLP be used in business or education? Yes. NLP is widely applied in: Business and Organisations Leadership Communication Team development Coaching and mentoring Conflict resolution Customer service Organisational change Education and Learning Confidence Motivation Communication Teaching and learning strategies Exam preparation Learner engagement ANLP's NLP for Education work and supporting research provide examples of these applications. NLP and Other Professions Is NLP therapy? Not necessarily. Some early NLP models emerged from studying highly effective therapists, which is one reason NLP is often associated with therapeutic work. However, an NLP Practitioner is not automatically a therapist. Anyone offering therapy should also hold appropriate therapeutic qualifications, training and professional registration where applicable. Is NLP coaching? NLP and coaching are not the same thing. Many coaches use NLP as part of their professional toolkit because it can support communication, goal-setting, behavioural awareness and personal development. A coach who uses NLP should still have appropriate coaching skills, professional boundaries and ethical standards. Research & Evidence Is NLP evidence-based? There is a developing body of evidence relating to NLP, its roots, applications and specific techniques. Some aspects of NLP have been researched more extensively than others. In addition to formal research, NLP has generated a substantial body of practice-based evidence through its application in education, coaching, business and organisational development. ANLP has supported NLP research through publications, including the Current Research in NLP Journal, and through the promotion of education-based research projects. You can explore this further in our NLP Research section. Is NLP a cult, manipulation or pseudoscience? These are common questions. NLP is not a cult and does not require adherence to a particular leader, organisation or belief system. NLP includes models of communication and influence, but ethical NLP should always be practised with transparency, consent and respect. NLP has also attracted criticism, particularly regarding some claims made in its name. ANLP's position is that responsible practitioners should avoid exaggerated claims, remain open to research and distinguish clearly between evidence, experience and opinion. Finding the Right NLP Professional Do I need an NLP professional or NLP trainer? That depends on your goal. If you want one-to-one support for a personal or professional issue, you may wish to work with: An NLP Practitioner An NLP Master Practitioner Another suitably qualified NLP professional If you want to learn NLP yourself, you are looking for an NLP Trainer and an NLP training programme. If you are seeking support for a team or organisation, you may wish to work with an NLP trainer, consultant or organisational specialist. How do I choose a good NLP professional? It is important to carry out appropriate due diligence before working with any professional. You may wish to ask: What NLP training have you completed? What qualifications do you hold? Are you a member of a professional body? Do you follow a Code of Ethics? Do you hold professional insurance? What relevant experience do you have? How do you work with clients? What outcomes can I reasonably expect? A professional practitioner will welcome these questions. Why choose an ANLP member? ANLP is an independent professional body for NLP. ANLP members have chosen to work within a professional framework that includes: A Code of Ethics Membership standards Credential verification A Complaints Procedure Membership does not guarantee suitability for every client, but it provides an additional level of transparency and professional accountability. What do Validated and Verified certifications mean? To support transparency and professional standards, ANLP distinguishes between two forms of certification recognition. Validated Certification means ANLP has checked the certificate lineage and confirmed it meets ANLP membership requirements. Verified Certification means ANLP has received evidence that the qualification is held, but has not validated its lineage. This distinction helps members of the public understand the level of verification applied to a qualification. Where can I find someone to work with? You can search the ANLP Member Directory to find: NLP Professionals NLP Coaches NLP Trainers ANLP Accredited Trainers Always review profiles carefully and contact potential practitioners directly before making a decision. Training & Professional Practice Can I practise as an NLP professional? In many countries, NLP is not regulated by law in the same way as healthcare or clinical professions. Working professionally therefore involves more than legal compliance. It also involves: Appropriate training Professional competence Ethical practice Insurance Continuing professional development Professional accountability Is my NLP training recognised professionally? Professional organisations may differ in the training they recognise. However, there is a widely recognised certification pathway within NLP: Practitioner Master Practitioner Trainer It is also generally accepted that NLP Trainers Training should be delivered by a suitably qualified Master Trainer. ANLP provides guidance to support informed decision-making when selecting NLP training. What about online NLP courses? Online courses can be a useful introduction to NLP. However, NLP is fundamentally an experiential discipline. Professional practice requires live interaction, practice, feedback and assessment. ANLP does not recognise self-paced, online-only NLP Practitioner certifications for professional membership. There is an important distinction between: Self-paced online learning Live virtual training ANLP has developed criteria for virtual training to support high-quality online delivery that includes interaction, supervised practice and assessment. Practical Questions How long does NLP take? This depends on the individual, the objective and the type of support being provided. Some people may achieve useful progress in a small number of sessions. Others may choose a longer-term programme. Always discuss likely timescales and expectations with the professional you are considering working with. How much does an NLP session cost? Fees vary depending on: Experience and specialism One-to-one or group work Location Type of programme or training Before committing, ensure you understand: Costs Number of sessions Cancellation terms What is included Where should I start? If you are exploring NLP, we recommend starting with: What is NLP? How NLP Works History of NLP Applications of NLP What NLP Is Not Myths, Opinions and Misconceptions If you are looking for an NLP professional, visit the ANLP Directory. If you are interested in learning NLP yourself, visit our NLP Training and Careers section. If you are considering NLP within an organisation, explore our workplace and education resources.
