NLP Reframing
NLP Reframing was one of the first NLP techniques developed, and while Richard Bandler has stated that he doesn't use it anymore, it is a commonly used and still a quite useful NLP technique.
See also:
Reframing is quite an unusual NLP technique in that it can be performed as an entirely spoken piece of NLP with no submodalities or hypnotic language.
The concept of reframing is simple and relies on the metaphor that different ‘parts’ of our minds battle to control our actions.
With reframing you are training the part of our mind that causes a behavior you do not like to ‘change its evil ways’ and respond in a more appropriate manner. Reframing is usually performed on someone else, though with a few adjustments you can use it on yourself - more on that later.
NLP Reframing Steps
The steps for NLP Reframing are as follows:
- Identify the unwanted behavior. Reframing is generally used for behaviours you wish you didn't engage in such as 'Whenever I see the milk left out I get angry and take it out on whomever I think is at fault.'
- Initiate communication with the 'part' of the client that is causing the unwanted behavior.
- Ask the 'part' to identify what the positive outcome of the behavior is. In NLP, one of our working assumptions, or presupposition, is that every behavior has a positive intention. In the Milk example it may be that the part wants the house to be tidy because it is easier to keep the house tidy rather than tidy up and whats the person at fault to change their behaviour.
- Ask the 'part' to find a number of different ways to achieve the same outcome. For instance, simply telling the person why you don't like the milk to be left out; maybe explain how it effects others,
- Gain the 'parts' agreement to try out the other new behaviors to find a more useful behavior.
“Brains aren’t designed to get results; they go in directions. If you know how the brain works you can set your own directions. If you don’t, then someone else will.”
The following text gives an example NLP reframing session. This session is between a therapist and a client.
Now I know that you have a part of you that causes a behavior you want to change?
Yes, I want to stop getting angry when my children leave their toys out - actually the practitioner doesn't really need to know what this unwanted behavior is - that's one of the strengths of NLP.
Ok, now close your eyes and go deep inside and I want you to find the part of your unconscious that controls this behavior. Have you found it?
Client nods.
Ok, and I want that part of you to identify the positive intentions behind that behavior. And when you are unconsciously or consciously aware of that intention please give me a signal - depending upon the clients previous NLP and hypnosis experiences this could be a nod or a finger signal.
Good, now I'd like that part of you to come up with three new ways to achieve the same result with a different behavior, and when you have those please give me a signal.
Client nods.
Good, now I'd like that part of your mind to think about times when this behavior will occur in the future. Is that ok?
And I'd like you to make a change so that the next time the behavior is due to occur, you try out one of the three new behaviors. Can you do that now?
“Now our unconscious mind often gives the right idea and then they take charge of it consciously and messes it up.”
Now I want you to then decide if you are happy with this new behavior and if so make any further changes to enable you to use this new behavior in the future whenever appropriate. And if the behavior isn't what you want then I want you to try one of the other behaviors until you find the new behavior that is most useful for you.
NLP Reframing is often performed in a trance, sometimes using finger signals to communicate with the 'unconscious'. In fact due to the type of communication used it's one of those NLP exercises that you can start off with the client completely conscious and just allow the process to take the client into a quite deep trance state.
Once the process is complete, but before the client opens their eyes, there is a good opportunity to provide a general 'post trance' session with any post hypnotic suggestions that may be appropriate for the client.
Using NLP Reframing on yourself
Using reframing on yourself, the only element that would be different is the section at the beginning where you identify the issue. Working on your own, you already know the issue so start by asking your unconsious mind to help by explaining what you wish to change and asking for the alternatives. You can either speak to yourself out loud and wait for a response or speak in your head. Some people allow their unconscious to respond with internal dialogue, others actually setup finger signals which are useful if they work for you.
Richard Bandler jokes that he stopped using the reframe because when you ask 'is that part of you willing to communicate', who is answering?
NLP Reframing does unfortunately have an air of 'possession' about it and compared to newer NLP techniques seems quite clunky to use, but it's worth having in the toolbox.
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