This document summarizes research on neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) in 3 areas: 1. Early NLP research from the 1980s explored eye accessing cues and representational systems but the basic tenets of NLP have failed verification in most controlled studies. 2. Several studies found NLP techniques like anchoring and visualization helped reduce symptoms of PTSD and behavioral issues in children. 3. While NLP claims to be therapeutic, its principles have not been conclusively demonstrated through rigorous research and its evidence base remains limited. Further testing is still needed to establish NLP as a proven clinical approach.

1. NLP and Research
John Marsden

2. Objectives
1. Summarise NLP research findings
2. Critically Evaluate NLP as an approach to
clinical work

3. Epistemology
What constitutes knowledge?

4. Research From Related Fields
• Behavioural Science
• Clinical Hypnosis
• Cognitive Therapy
• Neuro Science

5. Research from the 1980s
• Eye accessing cues
• Preferred Representational Systems
Visual
Auditory
Kinaesthetic
• Sharpley Meta-analysis in 1984 and 1987

6. The Brooklyn Programme
• Professor Richard Gray
• Probation Service in New York
• Began 1997
• NLP Anchoring and other NLP techniques

8. Post Traumatic Stress
• Ann Dietrich “A Review of
Visual/Kinaesthetic Disassociation in the
Treatment of Post Traumatic Disorders” in
Traumatology
• Richard Bolstad, The RESOLVE model,
PTSD in Bosnia (1999) and Samoa (2010)
• Frank Bourke and Richard F. Liotta:
Research Program: PTSD Protocol for War
Veterans at http://nlprandr.org

9. Research in Education
Carey, J., Churches, R., Hutchinson, G., J
ones, J. and Tosey, P. (2009)
Neuro-linguistic programming and
learning: teacher case studies on the
impact of NLP in education, Reading:
CfBT Education Trust.

10. NLP with Children and Young
People
Lisa Squirrell
Can Neuro Linguistic Programming work with
young children who display varying
social, emotional and behavioural difficulties?
Current Research in NLP Vol.1 (2008)

11. NLP With Children with
Social, Emotional and Behavioural
Difficulties
• Action Research
• Qualitative and Quantitative Data
• Small sample (n=5) with control group
• Positive response to visualisation and language
techniques
• Positive response amongst staff at the referral unit
• “The quantitative data showed that the NLP group
had, in almost all areas of learning and behaviour,
improved more than the control group”.

12. Evaluation of NLP in Clinical Work
• Strengths Model (not a deficiency model)
• Systemic
• Client Centred
• Outcome focused
• Create and access internal resources
• Content free

13. Limitations of NLP in Clinical Work
• Poorly defined
• Untested
• Weak evidence base?

14. Conclusions
Mick Cooper (2008) Essential Research
Findings in Counselling and
Psychotherapy, London, Sage and BACP.
“Despite claims it performs „therapeutic
magic‟, a review of the experimental research
found that “The basic tenets of NLP have
failed to be reliably verified in almost 86 per
cent of controlled studies (Sharpley: 1987:
105).”

15. Sharpley’s Conclusion
... perhaps NLP principles are not amenable
to research evaluation. This does not
necessarily reduce NLP to worthlessness
for counselling practice. Rather it puts
NLP in the same category as
psychoanalysis, that is, with principles not
easily demonstrated in laboratory settings
but, nevertheless, strongly supported by
clinicians in the field.

16. Big John’s Conclusion?
NLP has yet to be properly tested as a
clinical intervention. Promising early
research findings, allied studies and
clinical experience suggest that NLP may
be helpful as an approach.