rationalskepticism.org

quas wrote:
In a previous post, I have mentioned that there are two parts of NLP: the hypnosis techniques and communication skills that focus on reframing so as to dominate conversations/debates. The hypnosis bits sound a bit sketchy, but communication skills are rock solid.

ScholasticSpastic wrote:

degruyter.com wrote:The huge popularity of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) therapies and training has not been accompanied by knowledge of the empirical underpinnings of the concept. The article presents the concept of NLP in the light of empirical research in the Neuro-Linguistic Programming Research Data Base. From among 315 articles the author selected 63 studies published in journals from the Master Journal List of ISI. Out of 33 studies, 18.2% show results supporting the tenets of NLP, 54.5% - results non-supportive of the NLP tenets and 27.3% brings uncertain results. The qualitative analysis indicates the greater weight of the non-supportive studies and their greater methodological worth against the ones supporting the tenets. Results contradict the claim of an empirical basis of NLP.

http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/ppb.201 ... 0008-0.xml

Sharpley wrote:In an earlier review of the experimental literature on neurolinguistic programming (NLP), the present author (see record 1984-21020-001) concluded that the effectiveness of this therapy was yet to be demonstrated. In their comment on that review, E. L. Einspruch and B. D. Forman (see record 1986-08199-001) agreed with this conclusion but suggested that it was due to the presence of methodological errors in the research on NLP to date and that the efficacy of NLP was open to debate. In the present article, it is contended that those suggestions were based on misconceptions regarding the factors that limit the methodological worth of research. Several of the detailed criticisms from that review are refuted, and data from 7 recent studies that further demonstrate that research data do not support either the basic tenets of NLP or their application in counseling situations are presented. Implications for the use of NLP in counseling research or clinical practice are discussed. (37 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=buy ... -11411-001

BBC.com wrote:Healing the Wounds said it is collecting data to prove its treatment is effective, but Prof Greenberg says unless NLP is subjected to what are known as randomised clinical trials it cannot be established as an appropriate treatment for PTSD.
He added: "NLP has not been investigated by proper scientific trials to show it works.
"The key point is, just because someone feels good at end session, there is no guarantee they're going to feel good in the future.
"And given the fact we know psychological therapies have potential to harm we need to do those trails."

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-24617644
(Color mine, for emphasis)