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NLP - How Neuro-Linguistic Programming can help
Clinical Hypnosis
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Brief Therapy

NLP - How Neuro-Linguistic Programming Can Help

What is Neuro-Linguistic Programming? The term is a mouthful and invariably misunderstood. On one extreme, it evokes images of a pseudo-scientific religious cult. On the other extreme, it sounds like a mysterious new computer language. No matter where you fall along the continuum of belief, the general consensus upon first seeing or hearing those works – Neuro-Linguistic Programming – is that the whole thing sounds spooky and inhuman.

This is unfortunate, because behind the ominous sounding name, are discoveries that are impressive in their ability to enhance human potential. In schools, children classified as “learning disabled” are learning spelling and basic math skills as a result of NLP discoveries about the structure of human thought. In the business world, employers are increasing employee productivity as a result of applying NLP communication skills to employee relations. In the courtroom, lawyers trained in NLP are getting winning verdicts as a result of using the persuasive power of non-verbal behavior. And in psychotherapy, NLP Practitioners are moving clients more quickly away from debilitating emotional problems and toward more productive lives.

Specifically, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is a complex model of human communication that was developed by Richard Bandler and John Grinder at the University of California, Santa Cruz. They based their model on systematic studies of such masters in the art of communication as Milton H. Erickson, M.D., Fritz Perls, M.D., and Virginia Satir. What they accomplished was to reduce to formula how a person takes in sensory impressions, organizes theses impressions in cognitive processes like memory and decision-making, and then translates the sequence into a response. They also developed specific interventions (a communication technology) to change those responses. The combination has revolutionized the fields of psychotherapy, education, and business.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming, as a communication technology, has applications in any setting involving human interaction. It is a complex, yet efficient, technology that enables people to be more successful in their chosen endeavors. The reason for the success of NLP is that it eliminates the guesswork. Goal setting, negotiating, problem solving, creativity are more streamlined when you know the structure to follow.

Most people count themselves lucky if they can maintain the status quo. That is, when they add together the highs and lows of life, they aim for an average that is at least as good as last year. What they fail to consider in their calculations is that hidden within the average are times of excellence; and these times of excellence are structured and learnable. Rather than strive for the average, we can learn through NLP to achieve excellence consistently.

If you are interested in learning how to use the techniques of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, there are a number of resources, classes, and workshops being held in your local area. If, however, you don’t have the time to study the technology of NLP, consider working with a therapist trained in NLP to assist you in resolving a personal problem or developing your potential.

Dr. Kathy Marshack can help you. She is accepting new clients and has two office locations for your convenience. If you live in the Portland, Oregon or Vancouver, Washington area (or can drive to these locations) please call to set up your first appointment. See Therapy FAQs for more information. If you live elsewhere, we can arrange telephone consultation or we are happy to advise you on how to locate a qualified mental health professional in your area. Please give us a call at (360) 256-0448 or (503) 222-6678 or email us at info@kmarshack.com.

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Clinical Hypnosis

Clinical hypnosis is a process used for treating psychological and physical problems. Through hypnosis a person achieves a relaxed state in which their conscious and unconscious mind become focused and ready to receive therapeutic suggestions.

Everyone has experienced some form of hypnosis. Hypnotic trance states occur daily in our lives. How many times have you arrived at a destination in your car, having not remembered much between putting your keys in the ignition and the last turn into your driveway? Or have you ever been startled out of a deep concentration in a TV program upon hearing your name spoken? When used professionally, hypnosis is safe, relaxing and refreshing.

Hypnosis has a long history and has been known by many names. In 1841, James Braid, MD, coined the name, hypnosis. In 1958, the American Medical Association approved of the use of hypnosis as an appropriate therapeutic technique.

Hypnosis is used in many ways, for psychological, medical, and dental problems. In psychotherapy, your therapist may use hypnosis to assist you in resolving smoking and weight control, fears, depression, anxiety, stress, sexual problems, alcoholism, pain control, confidence building, memory and concentration, retrieving repressed memories, even to facilitate physical healing.

Your professional psychotherapist will determine if and when to use hypnosis. After taking a complete history and planning treatment goals with you, hypnosis may be used to facilitate treatment.

Your therapist should have received professional training in hypnosis at the graduate level. Such training is usually taken at continuing education workshops and seminars. It is recommended that the professional receive at least 75 clock hours of instruction and supervision in clinical hypnosis.

Since the length of treatment varies with the problem and the individual, hypnotic treatment may take one to several sessions. Often hypnosis is used in conjunction with other therapies. Hypnosis is usually used in short-term therapy.

There are several misconceptions about hypnosis. Actually, the subject controls the trance while the therapist is merely the facilitator. The subject can go more deeply into trance if they desire, or terminate the trance by opining their eyes. You cannot be made to do anything against your will.

Another misconception is that through hypnosis you will lose consciousness. A hypnotic trance is another level of conscious awareness. At no time do you become unconscious. Rather you are aware of what is being said and what is going on around you at all times.

You will not begin talking or revealing information you wish to remain a secret. Often a person in hypnotic trance will talk when that is agreed upon with therapist. However, you will say nothing against your will.

Hypnosis is not sleep. The hypnotic EEG pattern is different from the sleep EEG pattern.

Finally, there is no danger of being unable to come out of a trance. Since you are always in control, you may terminate the trance at any time. In the hands of a trained professional, hypnosis can be a very beneficial means of helping resolve problems.

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Cognitive Behaviorial Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy grew out of a need to find solutions for human problems that were not being resolved with more traditional therapies. Depression for example, could take months of therapy, and many people have resorted to anti-depressant medication for more immediate relief. Cognitive behavioral therapy has proven to be just as effective as medication at relieving depression…but more importantly, it lasts. When anti-depressant medication is no longer used, the person usually gets depressed again, but when you have changed how you think, being depressed is no longer an option.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy addresses the way people think. The techniques are designed to change faulty irrationally thinking into more constructive, solution oriented thinking. Often people are stuck because they have an irrational belief from childhood that keeps them from living the way they wished they could. If you have one of these beliefs, you may not even know it consciously. For example, you may believe that you can’t be successful at college work or your job or your relationships, because members of you family have not been successful. Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy you are confronted with these beliefs and offered a new way of thinking about them. For example, just because your parents were divorced, does not mean you are incapable of learning the tools necessary for a satisfying personal relationship.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is usually considered short-term therapy, perhaps 8-10 one-hour sessions. The reason for this is that the therapist is focusing on a specific problem. Once that problem is resolved, the therapy is complete unless there are other issues you with to work on.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been used successfully with a variety of human problems from depression to low self-esteem to relationship dysfunction to phobias and anxiety, to writer’s block. However, as with all therapies, it is not the best solution for all people. Sometimes it is necessary to take time to heal in therapy. In fact, timing is one of those critical elements in anyone’s personal recovery. If you are ready to change and the conditions are right, you will do so.

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Brief Therapy

Brief therapy has been around for 30 years, but is only now coming into its own. Used appropriately, these techniques induce rapid changes in behavior and thought patterns. In most cases, brief therapy aims at solving the client’s immediate difficulty quickly. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that brief therapy is as effective as longer-term treatment for most mental disorders – even life-threatening depression.

There are situations when brief therapy is not appropriate. For example, substance abuse, alcoholism, and major psychiatric disorders should not be treated with brief therapy. However, phobias can be treated with a variety of brief therapy techniques. A client who is afraid of flying might sped the first session simply thinking about taking a plane trip. The second session might involve driving to the airport with the therapist. Session three might involve boarding the plane. Eventually, the client builds up to actually taking a short trip on a plane. Throughout therapy, the client uses relaxation techniques to deal with the panic that sets in with just thinking about flying.

Most depression, anxiety, compulsive behavior (such as checking locks repeatedly), and sexual and relationship problems also respond well to brief therapy. Taken together, these represent the majority of the people who need professional help to get on with their lives.

Many common symptoms of illness – such as chronic pain, ulcers, and headaches – are often linked to psychological turmoil. By teaching you relaxation and stress management, brief therapists are often able to help with stress-related illness.

Unremitting grief can be as disabling as a physical illness. Brief therapy aims to help the sufferer sort out his or her thoughts in an organized fashion. Or, it can simply help the client change behavior enough to function in society. With functioning restored, the pain usually fades.

Finally, couples and families experiencing problems usually benefit from brief therapy. The therapist can help sort out expectations and attitudes that cause friction.

Brief therapists choose from a variety of treatments, including Behavior Modification, Cognitive Therapy, Stress Reduction, and Paradoxical Intention. Regardless of the treatments the therapist chooses, brief therapy requires the active participation of the client. Activities typically include monitoring feelings and actions, practicing stress reduction techniques, and rehearsing problem situations.

There are many different types of therapists, with a variety of credentials that utilize brief therapy techniques. It may be difficult to know from their credentials alone, whether or not they are familiar with this approach.

Kathy J. Marshack, Ph.D., P.S.
Licensed Psychologist & Family/Business Consultant
PO Box 873429
Vancouver, WA 98687-3429
(360)256-0448
info@kmarshack.com