Neurolinguistic Programming for Social Anxiety Disorder

Close

NLP has been used in various settings, including psychotherapy, medicine, and personal development. However, neurolinguistic programming is not generally considered a mainstream therapeutic approach. It has also not been validated scientifically for the treatment of social anxiety disorder (SAD). However, it may have value as an “add-on” to other traditional forms of treatment.

It’s important to realize that NLP is not itself a form of psychotherapy; rather, it is a tool used to guide the therapeutic process.

Some neurolinguistic programming principles include the following:

In general, an NLP therapist will follow these steps with you:

Neurolinguistic Programming Techniques

Research on NLP

Neurolinguistic programming theory and practice have yet to receive scientific support as a treatment for mental health conditions. To date, it’s mostly used in coaching/self-help areas.

Although NLP may be of some value for SAD, well-established and supported treatments such ascognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)andmedicationare your best options.

A Word From Verywell

Neurolinguistic programming does not have sufficient evidence to support its effectiveness in mental health conditions. This means that if you approach your doctor about NLP, you aren’t likely to get very far. If you try NLP as part of your efforts to deal with your social anxiety, consider contacting a wellness coach who uses this technique or reading a self-help book on the topic and trying it yourself. Once again, NLP should not be used in place of validated treatments.

The 7 Best Online Anxiety Support Groups

SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Karunaratne M.Neuro-linguistic programming and application in treatment of phobias.Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2010;16(4):203-7. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.02.003Konefal J, Duncan RC.Social anxiety and training in neurolinguistic programming.Psychol Rep. 1998;83(3 Pt 1):1115-22. doi:10.2466/pr0.1998.83.3.1115Steinbach, AM.Neurolinguistic programming: A systematic approach to change.Canadian Family Physician. 1984;30:147-150.Sturt J, Ali S, Robertson W, et al.Neurolinguistic programming: a systematic review of the effects on health outcomes.Br J Gen Pract. 2012;62(604):e757-64. doi:10.3399/bjgp12X658287

Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Karunaratne M.Neuro-linguistic programming and application in treatment of phobias.Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2010;16(4):203-7. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.02.003Konefal J, Duncan RC.Social anxiety and training in neurolinguistic programming.Psychol Rep. 1998;83(3 Pt 1):1115-22. doi:10.2466/pr0.1998.83.3.1115Steinbach, AM.Neurolinguistic programming: A systematic approach to change.Canadian Family Physician. 1984;30:147-150.Sturt J, Ali S, Robertson W, et al.Neurolinguistic programming: a systematic review of the effects on health outcomes.Br J Gen Pract. 2012;62(604):e757-64. doi:10.3399/bjgp12X658287

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Karunaratne M.Neuro-linguistic programming and application in treatment of phobias.Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2010;16(4):203-7. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.02.003Konefal J, Duncan RC.Social anxiety and training in neurolinguistic programming.Psychol Rep. 1998;83(3 Pt 1):1115-22. doi:10.2466/pr0.1998.83.3.1115Steinbach, AM.Neurolinguistic programming: A systematic approach to change.Canadian Family Physician. 1984;30:147-150.Sturt J, Ali S, Robertson W, et al.Neurolinguistic programming: a systematic review of the effects on health outcomes.Br J Gen Pract. 2012;62(604):e757-64. doi:10.3399/bjgp12X658287

Karunaratne M.Neuro-linguistic programming and application in treatment of phobias.Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2010;16(4):203-7. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.02.003

Konefal J, Duncan RC.Social anxiety and training in neurolinguistic programming.Psychol Rep. 1998;83(3 Pt 1):1115-22. doi:10.2466/pr0.1998.83.3.1115

Steinbach, AM.Neurolinguistic programming: A systematic approach to change.Canadian Family Physician. 1984;30:147-150.

Sturt J, Ali S, Robertson W, et al.Neurolinguistic programming: a systematic review of the effects on health outcomes.Br J Gen Pract. 2012;62(604):e757-64. doi:10.3399/bjgp12X658287

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?