NLP - Neuro Linguistic Programming

There is an old Japanese saying "there are many paths up the mountain."
However, sometimes the best path is easy to find.

The question is often asked, "What is NLP"?

It's easy to get confused with this question because there are two very distinct areas within NLP:

1. The basic NLP methodology

2. NLP Applications that the NLP Methodology has developed.

NLP Methodology

NLP, at the highest abstraction, is the modeling of human excellence.  It was developed at the University of California, Santa Cruz, in the 1970's, by John Grinder, a Professor of Linguistics and Richard Bandler, a computer modeler/mathematician. They applied the rigor of computer modeling to human behavior.  The basic idea is that if you can model something to sufficient detail to be able to reproduce its critical processes, you can recreate its' result. This approach was applied to the technique of three of the most prominent psychologist/psychiatrist of the 1970's'; Fritz Perls (Gestalt therapy), Virginia Satir (Family therapy) and Milton Erickson (hypnotherapy). It was discovered that while superficially these three were very different, on a linguistic level, they were using very similar patterns. This insight allowed the creators of NLP to develop many techniques that can be used to enable people to change there behavior. The most prominent popularizer of some "NLP like" concepts is Tony Robbins.

NLP Application

NLP Applications are designed to allow people to modify their behavior.  We all have self imposed limitations. Most of us have been told repeatedly in our lives:

• "You can't do that"
• "You should do this"
• "What's wrong with you?"
• "You are such a loser"
• "Why do you always fail?"

We are all constantly being Programmed by our friends, our family, our church, our schools, our jobs, our government, and especially the advertisers. We are constantly be bombarded with Programming. Some of this Programming is good.

NLP application teaches a series of techniques that allows us to take control of our Programming. These techniques were discovered by modeling how the most successful people in many areas achieve their goals. I have always been frustrated by books such as "Seven Habits of Highly Successful People". I did not have those Habits, so I had 7 more things to feel bad about. Then someone else continued with "21 Habits of Highly Successful People" and I had even more to feel bad about.

NLP is different. NLP teaches techniques to adopt habits or break habits, quickly and easily. However, NLP will only tell you what you "should" be or do in the most general of terms. For example, One Presupposition of NLP is that having more options is better than having fewer options. What you do with your options is your business.

NLP is involved in the programs at the Bay Area Center in two ways.

1. We teach specific NLP techniques to address member's unique areas. For example NLP has a "5 Minute Phobia Cure" that can eliminate most phobias quickly and easily. NLP also has specific techniques to become a non-smoker or to achieve one's weight goals.
2. For those who want to learn the full range of what NLP can do, we have a formal NLP Certification Program. This program involves a series of weekend classes that teach the standard NLP curriculum.

NLP Techniques

Many people want to learn specific NLP techniques to deal with a specific issue, rather than learn all the many possibilities included in NLP applications.  These type of issues can range from quitting smoking to improving relationships.  For people with a specific issue that they want to overcome, we teach the precise NLP technique for that issue.  This empowers the student to resolve their own issues.  Usually only one or two private sessions are required.

NLP Certification

NLP Certification classes are taught on a irregular basis as requested 

Level 1 NLP Certification

This program encompasses 18 hours of training that introduces the student to most topics in NLP at a very high level. Some very useful and practical techniques are included that can be immediately used. The class is usually taught in the classroom of our Dickinson location, but Dr. Marker is willing to travel to Houston or Galveston if small groups can be assembled.

The class is taught with 2 formats:

• Weekend Intensive: one weekend; Friday 7:00 -10:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Weekend Series: five sessions, Saturday 1:00 - 5:00. Slightly more time is allocated to allow for review of previous classes.

Cost for either program is $250.

NLP Advanced Practitioner Certification

This program is only taught as a series of 5 weekend intensive seminars.

Friday 7:00 -10:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. 

Cost $250 per weekend. When all 5 Classes are completed, students can be Certified as NLP Advanced Practitioners.

NLP Master Certification

NLP Master Certification is offer irregularly when sufficient students have completed their Advanced Practitioners Certification. 

About the teacher

The main NLP instructor is Dr. Marker, although several members of the staff have gone through various levels of NLP training. Dr. Marker has been teaching NLP in the Houston and Galveston area since 2002. Dr. Marker received his initial NLP training at NLP Learning Systems in Addison, Texas. This is one of the oldest and largest NLP schools in the Southwest and is highly recommended by Dr. Marker for those in the Dallas area. They offer NLP plus a wide variety of other classes. Check out their website at www.nlplearningsystems.com. After completing the program at NLP Learning Systems, Dr. Marker continued his NLP training with Christina Hall, the current head of the Society of Neuro Linguistic Programming, completing the NLP Trainers program and Advanced NLP Trainers Program.