By Trine Åldstedt

What is the main purpose of The Society of NLP?

- Established in 1978, the Society of Neuro-Linguistic Programming™ is a worldwide organization set up for the purpose of exerting quality control over those training programs and services claiming to represent the model of Neuro-Linguistic Programming™ (NLP™).

How does The Society of NLP differ from other unions?

- Other unions are basically not authorized. It's one thing for a group of people to get together to share ideas, it's another to think they have any authority over certification.

Why is it important to increase this focus on the NLP market today?

- As with many fields, the further away people get from the original material, the more diluted the field becomes. And this is not fair to the consumer. And there are many people anointing themselves "trainer".

There are many different schools, policies and offers on the field of NLP around the world today. What do you consider as important criteria to keep in mind before making a choice?

- Are they teaching the most current material in the field and can they get results. I get too many reports about people purporting to do NLP who take many sessions to help someone, if they help them at all. This is not the essence of the technology. Are the trainers demonstrating what they are teaching?
I encourage people to read the article at: http://www.nlpisnottherapy.com/

Where do you see the field of NLP going?

- The field isn't going anywhere, the people driving it are. This is what's important. While I can appreciate that many people have their own ideas about what NLP "should be", too many of them are going in the wrong direction. It's up to the people who know what they're doing to drive it in the right direction.

The field has so much to offer to so many people in so many other fields. You are an Advanced Trainer of NLP, NHR and DHE. What has all these tools and knowledge meant for you?

- I don't really look at the credentials as being as meaningful as what I've been able to learn. I've had so much opportunity to learn with Richard Bandler, and a few others. It's the continuous learning that means so much.

Many would say you are at the top of the ladder, concerning your skills and competence. What do you do to keep growing?

- I keep my mind on improving. I never let myself think I'm at the top, or the best at anything. I have lots to learn, and some of it I don't even know what I have to learn, yet, but I know I have things to learn.

If you were to greet a NLP practitioner to be, what would you say?

- I'd say: "And what can I do to add value to your life today?"

What do you regard as the most important task for The Society of NLP today and the years to come?

- The most important task at hand for The Society is to keep all of our trainers developing and to help them to be successful. Another thing of importance is keep the vigil about making sure the people out there representing the field are doing the best they can, treat their customers fairly and honestly.

There is lots to do and lots to accomplish. While The Society of NLP™ has been around since 1978, we're just getting started!

Thanks,
John La Valle