Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is a relatively new discipline dating back to the mid-70s. Behind NLP stands a well thought-of body of knowledge. NLP originated from several different analytical disciplines as organized by two co-founders: Richard Bandler and John Grinder.

It happened when Dr. Grinder served as a professor of linguistics at the University of California in Santa Cruz, CA. Bandler came there as a student to study mathematics and computers. Dr. Grinder, in fact, had already released several publications in the area of linguistics, which were known as Transformational Grammar.

Bandler then discovered that he had a “natural” gift for modeling and hearing patterns. He revealed that he was able to detect and replicate patterns in experimental psychotherapy from minimum exposure. He became an editor for several of Fritz Perls‘ books in what is referred to as Gestalt Therapy. Being familiar with Perls’ work, Bandler began to study Perls’ techniques. As he continued to discover that he could use Perls’ models as therapeutic procedures, he began experimenting with clients using the techniques.

After enjoying immediate and influential results from that modeling, Richard then discovered that he could model others. With the encouragement of Grinder, Bandler was given the opportunity to model the world’s leading family therapist, Virginia Satir. Richard quickly identified the “seven patterns” that Virginia used. As both he and John began to apply those patterns, they discovered they could replicate her proven therapies and obtain similar results.

As a computer programmer, Richard knew that to program the simplest “mind” in the world (a computer with off-and-on switches) you break down the behavior into component pieces and provide clear and precise signals to the system. To this basic metaphor, John added his extensive knowledge of transformational grammar. From transformational grammar we borrow the concepts of both deep and surface structure declaration that transform meaning/knowledge in the human brain. From this they began to put together their model of how humans get “programmed,” so to speak.

From their research into the unifying factors and principles, Bandler and Grinder devised their first model. It basically functioned as a model of communication that provided a theoretic understanding of how we get “programmed” by languages (sensory-based and linguistic-based) so that we develop regular and systematic behaviors, responses, psychosomatic effects, etc. This model went further. It also specified ways for using the components of subjectivity for creating psychological (mental-emotional) improvement and change.

From that point, NLP expanded. The model expanded by incorporating materials from other disciplines: cybernetics (communication within complex systems both mechanical and living), philosophy, cognitive psychology, studies of the “unconscious” mind, and neurology. Today, NLP is to medicine and health, therapy and psychological well-being, business, education, athletics, law, Christian ministry, etc.