Looking for an NLP Trainer

In any given week, I must receive at least half a dozen messages or e-mails asking me pretty much the same question, “How do I find a good NLP Trainer?” So, here are a few things to consider if you are considering investing in learning NLP. In reading this, please bear in mind that this is my own perspective and should not be taken law, just experienced opinion.

Classroom or Online

Time can be a challenge for many and so online learning is becoming very popular. This has spread to NLP with mixed success. From my perspective, online learning of NLP has limited potential for success since effective demonstration, practice and feedback are possible.

One way in which an online programme might work is if it works in a process: Learning – Practice – Assessment. You might want to look into online programmes for that.

I am aware that there are many “budget” online programmes out there and I cannot vouch for their quality nor the skills that their “graduates” take with them.

A classroom-based programme offers the opportunity to interact, practice, ask questions in the moment AND, most importantly, get high quality feedback in order to grow your skillset.

It’s all about choice and preference.

Intensive or modular

There are arguments for both styles of learning here. Intensive programmes offer an immersive approach, whereas modular programmes offer the opportunity to practice and apply skills between sessions. I guess this one is down to personal preference and time constraints.

Length of programme

Here we tend to have some very mixed opinions and models. When I first attended an NLP Practitioner programme, it was 16 days in length and some organisations still work that model. Others have moved to a more compact style and some of this has been dictated by market pressures; time out from work is harder to get, sometimes even impossible. It’s worth asking questions about content and structure, training style and practice time as part of your selection process

Accrediting bodies

A contentious issue as everyone seems to hold the belief that “All wisdom lies only in my school,” which is totally untrue of course. There is no government regulation on NLP, just as there is no government regulation on counselling, psychotherapy or coaching in most parts of the world. We, as ethical professionals, take a self-regulating approach. So, which accrediting body is really rather a moot point. Look, rather, to the quality and reputation of the trainer. If they are aligned to a specific body then that’s a bonus.

Talk to them

My best advice is to speak directly to the trainer and establish for yourself whether you are comfortable with them, their philosophy and their programmes. Ask as many questions as you wish in order to do that and, if they don’t want to take the time, perhaps they are not right for you. Avoid making any commitment in the moment and choose to reflect before deciding to invest. This avoids any in-call “enthusiasm-building” as I like to call it.

It’s also worth speaking to past participants and finding out about their personal experience.

So, in closing, I wish you every joy in the journey you are contemplating and every success in your studies.

You are very welcome to contact me with any questions on www.ralphwatson.com