Is NLP Considered Ethical?

With every single type of therapy that exists, there will always be a question regarding the ethics of that therapy.

For every single treatment plan that exists, there have to be tight ethical boundaries to ensure that no lines are crossed in the admission of that therapy.

That goes for medicinal treatments and talking therapy treatments too. 

In this guide, we’re focusing on the ethics surrounding the use of NLP. Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) has been praised a lot in recent years, and many people have credited this therapy with changing their lives.

But what are the ethical boundaries of this coaching therapy, and how are these ethics reinforced? Well, that’s exactly what we’re looking at in this guide. 

So, if you want to find out more regarding the ethics of Neurolinguistic Programming, and how they are maintained, keep on reading. 

What Is NLP?

Let’s start by taking a really quick look at exactly what NLP is. As we have established, NLP stands for Neurolinguistic Programming, and it is a form of therapy.

NLP has been praised because it is a fairly quick-acting talking therapy, and it doesn’t require participants to disclose too much information. So it is perfect for those who need talking therapy, but dislike talking therapy.

Lots of people have reported incredibly positive effects of NLP and have noted how quickly it can start working. Generally, for standard cases, NLP will start working in less than 3 sessions, and even for more complex cases, people generally require no more than 6 sessions of this therapy.

That is very quick for talking therapy. NLP targets the subconscious mind and trains the brain to react differently in certain situations without the participant having to consciously choose to react in that way.

So, in the long run, it can be very positive because it impacts the way that you react when feeling a certain way without you having to choose to react in that way. Now that we’ve taken a look at what NLP is, let’s take a look at the ethics of this therapy.

Is NLP Considered Ethical?

Generally, there aren’t any concerns regarding the ethics of NLP. This therapy is recognized by many medical professionals, and it is used by lots of people.

The therapy is monitored and maintained through the NLP code of conduct, and any therapists conducting this type of therapy will require training in order to do so. 

The main reason why some people question the ethics of NLP is that this therapy is sometimes referred to as “life coaching”. Life coaching is very different from therapy, and there are some ethical questions around life coaching.

But NLP is regulated, so there isn’t really any need for ethical concerns surrounding this therapy.

Some people question the possibility of manipulation through NLP as manipulation is something that could impact all forms of therapy. However, manipulation isn’t something that could really affect NLP.

NLP is a therapy that focuses on you personally training your mind to react differently to situations. The coach is just there to guide the way as you do the majority of the work yourself.

When questioning the ethics of NLP it is critical to remember that NLP is very different from the majority of other types of therapy.

This therapy is completely different from the majority of talking therapies, with the participant needing to require a lot less information than other forms of therapy. So you should always bear that in mind when looking at the ethics of NLP.

Is There A Code Of Conduct For NLP?

One of the main things that ensure the ethics of NLP is the fact that there is a code of conduct for this therapy.

The Code of Conduct for NLP was created by the Association for NLP (ANLP), and it is there to ensure that any coaches offering NLP stick to the guidelines of this practice. 

The Code of Conduct for NLP sets a standard for anybody offering NLP to participants. It outlines all the attitudes and behaviors that are needed for anyone coaching NLP and provides a guide for anyone offering these services.

It ensures that NLP is streamlined and that everyone offering this service builds their knowledge on the same process. 

Anybody who is a professional NLP coach has to adhere to this code of conduct in order for them to remain credible.

Adhering to the code of conduct will ensure that the NLP that the coach is offering is ethical and effective and that they are a good person to visit for this therapy.

If your therapist isn’t adhering to the code of conduct, then your NLP sessions will not be as effective, so you really should avoid any NLP coaches that aren’t sticking to the code of conduct. 

Ethical Challenges Of NLP

While there are lots of precautions taken to ensure that NLP is as ethical as possible, there will always be ethical challenges in therapy. A good therapist will do everything that they can to stick to the code of conduct, and remain ethical.

But it is still a good idea to make yourself familiar with the ethical challenges of NLP. 

Generally, the biggest ethical challenge of NLP is when the code of conduct for this practice is broken. With NLP, it is important that the coach allows the participant to do the majority of the work themselves.

Your coach shouldn’t pressure you to change your behavior and reactions in any way. Instead, they are simply there for you to talk to as you guide yourself on this process of training your brain. 

When a coach oversteps and starts to manipulate the participant, that is when the ethics of this practice have been broken. In NLP, the participant should always be in control. If this changes, then there are potential issues with the ethics of the therapy. 

Is NLP Worth It?

Finally, you might be wondering if NLP is really worth it. Well, by all accounts, yes it absolutely is! 

NLP has been praised by many people as being effective in treating a lot of different things – including both mental and physical symptoms.

The majority of people who participate in this therapy find it beneficial, and as it doesn’t take too long to complete, it will not affect your life too greatly. 

If you are looking for a therapy that will help you train your brain to react differently, then NLP could be the therapy that you’ve been searching for.

Summary

In short, yes, NLP is generally considered to be ethical. This talking therapy is protected by ethical guidelines, and these are reinforced by the NLP Organization’s Code of Conduct.

Anybody who coaches NLP will need to be trained and certified to do this, and all these things contribute to this being an ethical form of therapy. 

So, if you think that NLP could really help you and any conditions that you may be struggling with, it is definitely worth looking into this style of therapy/life coaching.

The results of this therapy have been life-changing for many people, so you really should consider it if you are looking for the right therapy for you. 

Thanks for reading!