How can I tell if an NLP practitioner is any good?

Chris Harrison - April 2007
©2007 PlanetNLP Ltd

This is an interesting question.

Judging an NLP practitioner is difficult unless you've had experience of several, and know a little about their methods.

As an NLP Master practitioner I tend to judge a practitioner by listening to the way they speak, and by their ability to effect me quickly and effortlessly.

Also, when a practitioner is asking me questions prior to any kind of NLP intervention, I have a good idea as to where my responses to their questions are likely to lead.

If an NLP practitioner doesn't pick up on these as I expect, I am concerned.

As a potential client, it's a little more difficult.

Prior to booking a session, you should check the following:

• What trainings has the NLP Practitioner taken?
• Who has the Practitioner trained with?
• How recent is their training? (Have they been using NLP for very long, and are their trainings current?)
• Do they have any client testimonials?

Here are a few questions that may help you after your first session:

• Do you feel confident that the session has changed your behavior in a positive way?
• Were you given evidence that change has occurred?
• Is it clear where your Practitioner is going to begin if you return for another session?
• Did you have many "moments of realization" during your session?
• Do you understand your "issue" better than you did before?

This may sound a little negative, it's not supposed to.

There are some truly great and life changing practitioners.

It's just very difficult to judge a practitioner unless you have some experience of what they are doing.