If you're an NLP practitioner, you're likely to encounter your fair share of sceptics throughout your career. To prepare you for the inevitable, we've put together a list of the most common myths about NLP that you might be confronted with.
NLP is therapy
When NLP was in its early stages of research, the first models created were by people who were making great achievements in the field of therapy. However, as research continued to develop, many of the techniques, skills and behaviours were proven to be extremely useful in other areas of human behaviour, particularly with regards to change, influence and communication. NLP practitioners have often helped people change their habits within a series of sessions, but this does not make them therapists. NLP can be used successfully in many fields, such as coaching, public speaking, leadership and sports.
NLP is manipulative
Many clients that you encounter will be hesitant to open up to you in their initial consultations due to the misconception that NLP is primarily about controlling other people's minds. This could not be further from the truth, as NLP is about connecting with people at an unconscious or emotional level outside of their conscious awareness. NLP can give you the opportunity to develop a rapport with your client and their unconscious mind to connect with them on a deeper level and influence them in a positive way.
NLP can be learnt from books
NLP is globally recognised as an applied science, so an essential part of its success lies in developing a deep understanding of its fundamental concepts and learning how to apply them. This isn't possible without learning and spending time with an experienced NLP practitioner and witnessing them at work. While reading books on the subject is a great place to start, it's in putting it into practice where you gain the most knowledge.
