As an NLP Trainer for some years and also having run trainings in a number of different countries, the standard of Trainers being produced and the momentum for a cash generating machine seen by the unethical seems to have brought a wonderful technique and tool to its knees.
Not only have we got badly trained NLP Practitioners being told they are “competent” and passed to go on to do some of the most appalling work I have seen including in the self-defense field and sport field which is nothing short of dangerous through to infective therapy and atrocious communication skills being touted as “experts”.
The integrity in my industry from a training point of view now has trainers producing 7 day courses with NO pre course study, high numbers and low prices on the courses making it impossible to properly assess if each student is in fact reaching a certifiable standard on each module. I am passionate about what I do and have seen the results well-trained students can get and also the ability to not only transform their own lives but also evolved the techniques even further but this is only possible if true understanding of the techniques is acquired.
On line training, now being market and the appearance of the “Diploma” in NLP which is NOT a certification – it is a 3 or 2 day introduction ONLY and used as a sale technique in order to get people to buy full NLP Practitioner courses is killing the integrity of this industry. Along with that, certain governing bodies who will certify you as a trainer in only 3 days is probably the most irresponsible and damaging money-making scam I have seen in some time and of course as there is no real regulation, is allowed to carry on.
This is probably one of the reasons I had decided to back away from the courses, as only taking 6 people and charging £900 is still more than if you choose to do it on line, will pass as long as you pay the money and really wont be assessed at all.
Unless a real governing body (NOT owned by a training company) is produced we will continue to see this once wonderful discipline fall into even more disrepute than it already has and I am now to a degree almost ashamed to say I am a Trainer of NLP due to the level so many have brought it to.
We really must (those that still have some integrity left) call for some regulatory body which hopefully will stop these practices and bring into place the continued upholding of real certification standards which is not run by or associated to a training company which is frankly unethical in its very being and bring this once ecological
NLP Training
discipline back to the ethical state it was once in.
Emmajamesnlp's Weblog 
What is the real problem with this situation? Because the facts that you’ve shared mostly correlate with my experience in Australia. BUT there are also many, many EXCELLENT Trainers that are teaching NLP. Trainers that are charging a premium, delivering excellent/comprehensive pre-study material and a dynamic and educational training. If you go into most industries, even heavily regulated industries, there are shonky dealers and people who break the rules. The answer isn’t certification in my mind, the answer is about educating people so they can make choices that will best serve them.
Hi Lloyd – I did mention that there are some great trainers but if you read the article the point I am making is that there are too many trainers of sub standard level and not providing pre course study and even worse, on line training and certification. Australia may not be having the same issues and in fact may not have the same bodies that are producing this but it seemed to certainly start here – then move to the USA and maybe its on its way to you! We need a regulatory body which is completely independant to define those standards and therefore be able to educate people in a balanced manner. The companies offering training at a premium are a minority, eg the very wonderful David Shephard who is a fabulous trainer but our industry is falling apart. Certainly many of the trainers I know here and in the USA feel the same and many have stopped training in NLP now altogether due to the reputation it now has.
Hi Emma. One trainer of a sub standard level is too many in my eyes. It is such a shame that there are Training Companies who turn out graduates that aren’t of the standard that they need to be to do quality work. I’m glad trainers are stopping training NLP because of the reputation – if they feel totally at effect about the reputation of NLP and they are a trainer then they probably aren’t fully understanding that little concept of Cause & Effect. Speaking as a Trainer, each Trainer has full responsibility for the reputation of NLP – it just doesn’t work if we delegate that responsibility. Each and every time I teach I am doing so in a way that I intend to boost the reputation of NLP and the increasing number of students in my courses is testament to that. I’m anti-regulation because I don’t believe it will resolve the problem. Regulation or no regulation I don’t feel like an organisation can ever assure we are doing good by the brand unless they are checking all our marketing communications and presentations.
If the purpose is to raise the reputation of NLP then how about we have a discussion about pro-active ways to do that? I for one would be very keen to promote efforts to that end.
On my blackberry and can’t log in! Been on Sky News doing interviews best part of the day and then training session getting ready for the Worlds so slow and short reply.
Right, my point in the post was regarding the certification standards and that there should be regulation to ensure that each and every person gets at least a required standard which is not currently the case.
Many many of us that ahs have been trainers for years now, we have seen change is delivery with some of the other bodies which means that the standards and level of training is not of the same standard enforced my own governing body and also INLPTA.
Now, because, certainly as a therapist as well as being a trainer my and passion and belief is so strong, myself and many others like me feel a responsibility that each and every person leaving our care is more than just proficient and to extend the excellence of an effective and adaptable discupline.
The issue that I raised and is still the only issue is that the certification being given from some bodies and trainers is not only irresponsible but potentially harmful to the public they work.
I appreciate you would it everything to be solved by just positive promotion and realistically something has to be done and quickly. As for suggesting that a few of our top trainers and therapists have chosen to disociate themselves from NLP is based on being at effect, I think you will find it is based on much more than that and was an informed choice.
Yes you willenhance your business with the positive message as we all do and you may find the increased numbers on your courses will also be from referral, good training skills and also good promotion which you have shown yourself here to a ability for so well done with that!
I must however reiterate that this is about regulation of certification standards and ensuring our industry teaches to the highest levels possible and personally I have no issue with anyone going over that or overseeing if it means my students and all others out there can be assued of a level of instruction. This wasn’t about marketing.
I hope that helps and be well there in wonderful OZ.
I liked your article is an interesting technology
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