Home     Benefits of Therapy     My Approach to Therapy     Directions/Santa Cruz Office

NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)

I am a licensed counselor/therapist in Santa Cruz, California.  I use a compassionate version of NLP (or neuro-linguistic programming).  NLP can be a powerful way of helping people make the changes that they want in their lives.  Conventional therapy can be very useful, but I am always interested in learning additional ways to help people heal and grow.

I have a Master Practitioner Certificate (NLPU with Robert Dilts and Judy DeLozier).  I am also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

What Happens During an NLP Session?
Sometimes it’s nice to know what to expect before trying something new, so I will try to explain what happens during an NLP session.  During the session, we would sit and talk briefly about what you want to accomplish in the session.  Then you would have the option of continuing to sit and talk about the issue, moving into a more formal NLP technique, or choosing a different approach to accomplish your goals.

Most NLP techniques are done standing and involve walking a few steps to move to different physical locations.  Of course, if standing is difficult, sitting is possible.

Typically, we would begin any technique with a brief centering exercise to help you feel more grounded.

Examples of NLP Techniques
In many of the techniques, we explore the problem, your short-term and long-term goals, and your internal resources/strengths.

If you have a particular problem, a desired goal, and something preventing you from fully achieving your goal, we might explore both the ‘problem state’ and the ‘desired state.’  We would also explore what is preventing you from achieving your goal and find an anchor (internal image, saying, thought, sensation, etc.) that allows you to access your internal strengths and achieve your goal.

Other NLP techniques allow you to explore how past experiences are impacting present-day issues.  The goal is to heal past issues so that they are not negatively impacting you.

Some techniques focus on conflict with other people and allow you to experience the conflict from someone else’s perspective.  Often, speaking from the other person’s perspective gives you more insight into the situation.

Another NLP technique is based on Walt Disney’s creative approach to implementing new ideas.  If you are planning a new endeavor, we could look at your dreams, your plans, and possible drawbacks so that you have a more complete sense of the project.

There are many other techniques.  It is usually easy to find a technique or adapt a technique to fit for each person’s needs.

Why and How Does NLP Work?
Exactly how NLP works is not fully understood yet.

Perhaps, differentiating the problem from the goal and then integrating them helps to integrate the brain, which is thought of as a sign of health.

I also think it is helpful to realize that we can consciously step into different mindsets.  We do not have to live at the mercy of every passing emotional state.  (Not that we can control every feeling, but we do interact with our feelings, thoughts, and experiences.)

In addition, the techniques and structure of NLP can give you the container needed to explore and process difficult issues.  Specifying a location for the ‘problem state’ creates a contained way of experiencing the problem, which usually makes it more tolerable.  Being able to sit with the problem begins to change your relationship with the problem, which usually changes the problem itself.

I was excited to learn NLP because it brought together many of my skills and beliefs about healing.  NLP combines neuroscience (how the brain works), empathy, connection/rapport, movement, language patterns, and centering/grounding.  The founders of NLP studied different therapists and were curious about what was useful in each theory.  NLP is based on the work of Fritz Perls (Gestalt Therapy), Virginia Satir (family therapy), and Milton Erickson (Hypnotherapy).

What Issues Can NLP Help With?  What Are the Benefits of NLP?
Neuro-linguistic programming can be helpful with many issues:

1. •Changing difficult habits and patterns
   

2. •Resolving conflicts with others
   

3. •Increasing motivation and clarity around a task
   

4. •Making routine or life-changing decisions
   

5. •Exploring and resolving the history of a problem
   

6. •Decreasing anxiety and worry
   

7. •Decreasing depression
   

8. •Increasing connection with one’s life purpose
   

9. •Increasing self-confidence and self-esteem
   

If you are curious if NLP might help you, please feel free to call or email me.  I can tell you if I think NLP would be helpful and suggest other resources if necessary.

How Long Will It Take?
NLP can be used in brief therapy (just a few sessions) or part of longer-term therapy.  The number of sessions depends on the issues that you want to work on and your goals for therapy.  You would have a good sense of whether or not you think NLP is useful after the first session.  Also, I can teach you tools that you can continue using on your own, in between sessions and after therapy is completed.

Most NLP techniques can be done in a regular-length session.  If you want to do a longer technique, we can arrange a longer session.

Is NLP Manipulative or Mechanical?
Some people think that NLP is manipulative or mechanical.  NLP has changed a great deal since it was first developed.  I was fortunate to learn a very compassionate and caring version of NLP (referred to as 3rd generation NLP).  I don’t think that the version of NLP that I learned is mechanical or manipulative.

704 Soquel Ave., Suite C
Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Please visit my home page for more information about me.  (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, MFC40414)

I offer a free phone consultation to give you a chance to ask questions, better understand how I work, and decide if we are a good fit.

To schedule an appointment or ask questions, you can call me at (831) 419-2019 or email me at stacy@stacyoleary.com.

704 Soquel Ave., Suite C, Santa Cruz, CA 95062  ~  (831) 419-2019  ~  stacy@stacyoleary.com

Home     Benefits of Therapy     My Approach to Therapy     Directions/Santa Cruz Office

© Stacy O’Leary 2009-2011

Site Map

NLP, therapy, and counseling in Santa Cruz, serving Soquel, Aptos, Capitola, Watsonville, Scotts Valley, and Santa Cruz / Santa Clara / Monterey Counties.  Helping children, teenagers, and adults with depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, grief, and self-esteem.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.