Is NLP dangerous?

rombouts

I am not seeking medical advice here, just looking for opinions from qualified professionals

Need to travel aboard for work as I am presently unemployed, unfortunately I suffer from agoraphobia. I went to a physiologist a few years ago and was asked to close my eyes and listen to a CD. I had a very bad experience following this. Once I got home I actually thought I was have a complete mental breakdown. A terrifying experience, had I been told this may happen I could have braced myself for the side effects. I was given another CD to listen too; didn’t follow through as the fear of strange effects repeating themselves was terrifying.

I continued to attend a couple of sessions with this qualified Registered Psychologist, however I was told as I would not follow the course of therapy and do more sessions listing to a CD, I should attend someone else.

Was that NLP or hypnotherapy?

Is it safe and can it help me with agoraphobia.

I am also thinking about CPT but unsure if it can help me as I don’t trust myself any longer from lapsing into this state while living in another country.

Regards

hotspur

Without a more detailed explanation of what was done we cannot say what it was. Having said that if you were listening to a CD then there's a good chance it was hypnotherapy or NLP. It is also not that likely that a psychologist would be putting on a CD and asking you to listen to it. You said physiologist initially.

The good news about NLP is that you don't have to worry too much whether it's safe to do, because there is no evidence that it is effective for any problem at all. So there is no reason to consider doing it. Virtually no psychologist will do NLP, almost no psychotherapists will either. You will get the odd one who will, and I would avoid them because they are practising non-evidence based therapies. There is zero evidence that NLP can help with agoraphobia, and knowing NLP and its practitioners I would be astounded if it helped anyone with it other than as a placebo, and I don't think placebos are likely that effective with agoraphobia.

Hypnotherapists may use it, and you get the odd pure NLP'er who offers just NLP, more often you will find some manner of life coach offering it. None of which you should be considering attending if you have agoraphobia and the type of mental distress you have described in the past.

If you wish to get help for your agoraphobia or other issues then the best advice is to go to your GP and discuss therapy options with them. They should be able to direct you well and answer your questions, you may well find yourself with good free therapy for the problem. And yes CBT has been found to be effective for agoraphobia and related panic disorder and social phobia.

omen80

It's completely safe as far as I know. You might want to check out EFT also, that worked better in my experience.

JuliusCaesar

omen80 wrote: »

It's completely safe as far as I know.

But you probably want a therapy that is effective, rather than just safe. Sugar pills are safe, but not effective.

You'd need to look at CBT (cognitive behavioural psychotherapy) which has an evidence-base -i.e. it has been shown to be effective.

omen80 wrote: »

You might want to check out EFT also, that worked better in my experience.

EFT does not have an evidence base AFAIK.

If you're looking for a reputable therapist, see the sticky on Finding a Counsellor above.

omen80

JuliusCaesar wrote: »

EFT does not have an evidence base AFAIK.

I know, but I'm only trying to give the guy another option. Not many people have heard of EFT, and I have to say from my own experience that it definately made some difference for me. Nothing to loose in trying it, and you don't need a therapist for it.

hotspur

I found this Psychotherapy Networker article on energy psychology including EFT interesting:
http://www.psychotherapynetworker.org/component/content/article/268-2010-novemberdecember/1155-the-case-for-energy-psychology

I've known people into EFT and I never considered it to be any different to any other sham placebo therapy. After reading that article I downloaded the EFT manual to look into it in more depth. I'm smiling at having typed the word 'depth'. I would urge people to download the manual and have a look as it's quite a good laugh actually:
http://www.blackfive.net/main/files/eftmanual.pdf

I wish it didn't have the same acronym as a serious evidence-based therapy. I remember getting training from a therapist who said that they primarily use EFT, I was aghast until I realised that he was talking about emotion focused therapy and had trained with Les Greenberg.

The demonstrable few seconds effect of EFT brings to mind the Buddhist practice and paying attention to a feeling, naming it, watching it, and being impressed by such how transient they really are, usually dissipating in about 15 seconds.

omen80

hotspur wrote: »

I've known people into EFT and I never considered it to be any different to any other sham placebo therapy.

That's fair enough, I still have my doubts myself.....maybe it is a placebo effect but that still brings about results! It is based on the same system as accupuncture and some medical doctors today refer patients for accupuncture for various reasons.