There are many different therapies currently available used in the treatment of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders. While much emphasis has been placed on the effectiveness of using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, it is important to consider other therapeutic approaches as clearly no one therapy may meet the needs of every individual.
Additional therapies used in the treatment of depression commonly involve Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), Family Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) as well as Neurolinguistic Programming. Issues associates with the latter include:
- What is Neurolinguistic Programming?
- Techniques used in Neurolinguistic Programming
- Who may benefit from Neurolinguistic Programming?
What is Neurolinguistic Programming?
Neurolinguistic programming, often referred to as NLP, is both a therapeutic approach and theory relating to personality types and how individuals may store information and think about things differently. In a similar way to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) this approach is focused on the present rather than dwelling on past situations and events.
At the core of NLP is the therapist's role of helping clients to modify or alter the way they manage present thoughts and behaviours in order to reduce negative implications associated with present situations.
Techniques Used in Neurolinguistic Programming
In A Practical Workbook For The Depressed Christian, John Lockley writes about three main techniques involved in NLP including the following: anchoring, reframing and the use of metaphor. Anchoring refers to the transference of the client's positive response from one group of events/circumstances to another. Reframing which is common to other forms of psychotherapy involves providing an additional set of references or alternative perspective from which the client may view his or her world.
Also, in order to help the client to both apply his or her own personal resources/abilities and to begin seeing events/circumstances in a different light, metaphor is used.
Who May Benefit From Neurolinguistic Programming?
While the NLP approach may not be helpful for treating all the different forms of mental health disorders for certain conditions such as anxiety-related problems this has been identified as fast and effective form of treatment. Panic disorder sufferers have also been recognised as having gained benefit from this approach.
In addition very common mental health problems such as depression as well as eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa may also be treated using NLP.
For further information on NLP treatment a family doctor or mental health professional can typically recommend a suitable therapist.
Source:
Lockey, J. (2005) A Practical Workbook For The Depressed Christian Milton Keynes: Authentic.
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
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