| NLP is an art and a science. It is based on the idea | | | | This means that we filter the 2 million bits of |
| that the sensory information around us is translated | | | | information into about 7 bits. The way we do this is |
| into thoughts and ideas, which affect our state, | | | | by deleting, distorting or generalizing. Deletion means |
| physiology and behaviour and therefore our results. | | | | we do not attend to information that is not relevant |
| Our words also affect our experience and the | | | | in the moment, distortion means we adapt the |
| experience of others. NLP teaches us how to use | | | | information to make it fit with what we believe or |
| communication more effectively. NLP also tells us that | | | | are on the look-out for, generalization helps us to |
| we code or represent information to ourselves in | | | | relate new information to what we already know. |
| certain ways. How we do code information varies | | | | These three processes are crucial, as they prevent |
| between events we perceive as positive and | | | | us from being overloaded with information and allow |
| negative. NLP teaches specific strategies and | | | | us to function. |
| techniques that we can learn in order to represent | | | | However, what this also means is that we do not |
| this information differently to produce better results. | | | | have the full picture because we have ignored or |
| These strategies are used at my NLP, CBT and | | | | changed information during the filtering process. Using |
| Hypnotherapy practice in Hertfordshire. | | | | the 7 bits of information that have filtered we |
| The NLP communication model explains clearly how | | | | recreate the outside event inside our mind. This is |
| we process and use information and how this affects | | | | called an internal representation. This mean that what |
| our state, physiology and behaviour. This is why it is | | | | we represent to ourselves inside our minds is never |
| a good starting point for therapy and I will always | | | | true to what is actually happening in the event. |
| explain it to clients attending their first session of | | | | Our internal representations are a re-presentation of |
| CBT, NLP or Hypnotherapy, in Hertfordshire. It is | | | | the original information after filtering. Because the |
| really important for clients to understand this model in | | | | information we take in is via our 5 senses, our |
| order to be able to make changes to how they view | | | | internal representations are made up of thoughts, |
| their world. | | | | feelings, sounds, pictures, smell and tastes. |
| What we know is that every second we are | | | | Importantly, the way we represent or code |
| bombarded by sensory feedback (an estimated 2 | | | | information in our internal representation affects how |
| million bits of information every second) from our 5 | | | | we feel, which in turn affects our physiology and |
| senses Visual (sight), Auditory (hearing), Kinaesthetic | | | | behavior. What we know is that happy people tend |
| (feeling & touch), Olfactory (smelling) and | | | | to filter and represent information differently to |
| Gustatory (tasting). In any given moment we are | | | | depressed or anxious people. More importantly via |
| selective as to what information we pay attention to | | | | cognitive therapy such as NLP or hypnotherapy, |
| because of course we cannot possibly hope to | | | | Herts, people experiencing mental distress can learn |
| process all of the information. Memory theorists | | | | to filter in a way that allows refreshed perspectives |
| suggest we can handle or remember about 7 new | | | | and a different emotional experience. |
| bits of information at once. | | | | |