Allergies are like a Tantrum of the Immune System

There have been a few questions recently on forums regarding the use of NLP to cure allergies, specifically hay fever. I can only assume that the fact that spring is fast approaching people are beginning to think about what lies ahead ........

Immunologist, Mr Michael Levi, says an allergy is like a phobia of the immune system. In the 1950s Dr Levi won the WHA award for his research, after many years studying the immune system he says that when a person develops an allergy, its because the immune system has in essence formed a kind of phobic response to that particular substance. Assuming that something that is harmless (ie pollen) is harmful and that the allergic response is in fact the immune system going into panic.

Like a phobia an allergy is a conditioned response, research has shown that allergies can be conditioned in guinea pigs using a procedure similar to that used by Pavlov when he was working with his doges. After a while all the guinea pigs had an allergic reaction installed within them to a perfectly harmless substance.

Following on from Dr Levi’s suggestion that an allergy was like a phobia, Robert Dilts reviewed the fast phobia cure and created a technique has some similarities to the fast phobia cure.

As hay fever season is just a few months away I thought I’d post this technique for you to experiment with.

1. First you access the allergic state, associating into the experience so that you get some of the discomfort associated with the allergy. Once in this state explore what sub-modalities intensify and de-intensify the reaction.

2. Establish a dissociated state. When doing this I ask my client to close their eyes and imagine a glass shield between yourself and the substance that has triggered the allergic response. Floating up and out of that response, watching yourself as if on a TV screen ........... When you have the dissociated state anchor it.

3. Establish a desired state – how do they want to be respond around the substance. Anchor.

4. If there has ever been a time when they have been able to be near the substance comfortably, access that state and anchor – stack onto the other positive anchor.

5. Have person imagine being near substance whilst you fire off positive anchors.

6. Test by bringing a small amount (initially) of substance and fire off positive anchors.

Is it x, or is it Y, or is it ME?

The question I am asked most frequently usually begins with, “I have a client with x and I have tried y and it didn’t work, I don’t know what to do now, I’ve tried the “name of technique” and the client is just stuck, what do you suggest my next move is!?”

Frequently, my first reply is based on something I learned during my Practitioner and Master Practitioner courses, Richard Bandler said: “there is no such thing as a resistant client”.

As NLP Practitioners we all know that our state drives our success. When you become stuck, consider checking that you have the most beneficial state to work with your client. Is your inner dialogue yelling “Its not working, its not working”, or something equally unhelpful. Are you making pictures of failed outcomes, or allowing yourself to sink into a feeling of despair or panic? Remember, “go there first, get your own state under control”.

Now, have you really heard what your client said?

Do you know what they want, what is their desired state, what will be different as a result of achieving this desired state?

Does your client understand what is being asked of them?

Whilst viewing sessions conducted by newly qualified practitioners I have witnessed a complete lack of understanding between Practitioner and client; when the practitioner says something like “I’m just going to anchor that for you”, are you surprised that your client wonders if they’re seeing your for therapy or about to embark on a cruise? Keep your explanations simple.

These are just a few pointers that may help, should you find yourself wondering, “what do I do now?”

Stop It...........

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=BYLMTvxOaeE

"Take a look at this clip of Bob Newhart from You Tube, it really made me laugh.

When my laughter had subsided, I reflected on the number therapists out there who believe they can offer 'a cure for all problems', and are determined to use a particular technique, whether it is working or not. I do hope, unlike Bob, they eventually 'make change' for their clients, or at the very least have a box and a deep hole handy!"