Pilot study using Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) in post-combat PTSD

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine if neurolinguistic programming (NLP) tools and techniques were effective in alleviating the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in clients from the Military and Emergency Services. Design/methodology/approach – This project ran at the “Healing the Wounds” charity in Bridgend. All clients were opportunistic, having self-referred to a charity specifically set up to support Veterans from the Armed Forces. In total, 29 clients from an initial cohort of 106 clients provided pre and post data using Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) and the NLP Wheel of Life scale. Interventions included a range of NLP techniques, addressing self-reported symptoms. Findings – Differences between DASS scores before and after treatment are very highly significant. t-test analysis infers that these results are indicative of the overall response from the clients in this study. Research limitations/implications – Limitations of the study include: client group; significant levels of incomplete data for the total study group; therapist effect and therapist training; treatment methodology. Originality/value – Data suggest that NLP has potential as a therapeutic tool in the treatment of symptoms of anxiety and depression associated with a self-report of PTSD. An observation is proposed that these candidates experience an improvement in their emotional state when NLP is used which is statistically significant (p<0.001) both for overall DASS score averages and also for each of the three DASS categories (Depression, Anxiety and Stress). Stress was the highest scoring category prior to treatment for these clients; the reduction in their stress symptoms contributed most substantially to the overall reduction in average DASS score, indicating an improvement in their emotional state.

A qualitative investigation into the experience of neuro-linguistic programming certification training among Japanese career consultants

“…i-ii), is an applied psychology to analyse and reproduce excellent behaviours. It was developed by Richard Bandler and John Grinder at University of California, Santa Cruz, in 1970 (Pishghadam & Shayesteh, 2014;Wake & Leighton, 2014), through closely examining communication patterns of psychotherapists such as Milton Erickson, Virginia Satir, and Frederick Perls (Tosey & Mathison, 2009). NLP is an approach based on creating a model that maps 'tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge' (Bostic St. Clair & Grinder, 2001, p. 271) to study how excellent individuals and organisations create their outstanding results (O'Connor & McDermott, 2001).…”

Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Positive Psychology & VR in Special Education

“…NLP is a model of human interaction and communication that facilitates the analysis and reproduction of excellence in a range of clinical and non-clinical settings (Wake & Leighton, 2014). It emphasizes on peoples' subjective experience and constructed reality.…”

“…NLP is used by professional practitioners of many kinds, including educators, managers, trainers, salespeople, market researchers, counsellors, consultants, medics, lawyers (Tosey, Mathison & Michelli, 2005). However, it has been the subject of considerable criticism in academic and clinical psychology departments due to the lack of robust clinical evidence (Wake & Leighton, 2014;Witkowski, 2010).…”

NLP for Japanese workers’ mental well-being: pilot study

“…Bandler and Grinder identified common patterns used by these psychotherapists and developed NLP (Bandler and Grinder, 1979). Because of its applicability, NLP has been used for a variety of mental health problems including depression, anxiety, and stress (Bigley et al, 2010;Churches and West-Burnham, 2008;Gray, 2002Gray, , 2010Gray and Liotta, 2012;Juhnke et al, 2008;Muss, 1991;Simpson and Dryden, 2011;Stipancic et al, 2010;Wake, 2008Wake, , 2011Wake and Leighton, 2014;Weaver, 2009;Witt, 2003Witt, , 2008 and has been used in a wide range of fields worldwide e.g., sports, education, and business (Zastrow et al, 1987;Tosey et al, 2005;Karunaratne, 2010). In the UK, over 100,000 participants have attended NLP training courses (Tosey and Mathison, 2007).…”