Hello fine NLPers,

I was 'just' wondering how people get started as practising practitioners out there in the big, wide world - and are there any other fields that hire NLP-enabled staff? My subconscious is hollering at me to make this into a full-time vocation - I have just been made redundant and this is the time to do it, but how? Apparently, some therapy courses include how to set up in business, but not the ones I attended (Bandler / La Valle / McKenna).

I have the necessary Master Practitioner certificate, so I just need some pointers as to where to go from here... any advice will be warmly received and appreciated!

Thanks,
Jon

There's virtually nowhere you can't apply what you've learned from those teachers, but I'm guessing you're talking about coaching or therapy using NLP. James Lavers is a wealth of information all by himself on this subject, and there's a discussion group here at Hypnotughts.com called "How to Build a Private Practice" that often have good suggestions. You may even find some threads on this forum, using the "Search the archives" link on the left side of the page.

You are only as redundant as often as you think that same thought lol. Try a niche. I read your post and that was the answer that popped in. I love it when that happens :-)

Thank you Bridget, especially for the hypnothoughts forum link.

I notice that the public have no trouble in looking for hypnotherapists, but, in your experience, is NLP well known enough for people to seek out NLP Practitioners? Even though I'm well-versed in the Erickson NLP model, I don't believe I can legally offer Hypnotherapy to clients (unless you know otherwise!).

Travis, thank you for your very literal response!

I definitely don't consider myself 'redundant', but it's certainly a nominalization from hell! The niche idea is food for thought - presumably, if there are no obvious career routes, invent one... that's certainly what Bandler did with NLP. Hmm...

Quote Bridget
"
There's virtually nowhere you can't apply what you've learned from those teachers"
That's a powerful recommendation ....errrrr not why what's wrong with them? LOL.


Peter

peter108 wrote:

Quote Bridget
"
There's virtually nowhere you can't apply what you've learned from those teachers"
That's a powerful recommendation ....errrrr not why what's wrong with them? LOL.


Peter

Did you miss one of my negatives, Peter, or did I?

J Lauda wrote:

Thank you Bridget, especially for the hypnothoughts forum link.

I notice that the public have no trouble in looking for hypnotherapists, but, in your experience, is NLP well known enough for people to seek out NLP Practitioners? Even though I'm well-versed in the Erickson NLP model, I don't believe I can legally offer Hypnotherapy to clients (unless you know otherwise!).

Travis, thank you for your very literal response!

I definitely don't consider myself 'redundant', but it's certainly a nominalization from hell! The niche idea is food for thought - presumably, if there are no obvious career routes, invent one... that's certainly what Bandler did with NLP. Hmm...

You should look up local laws, of course, but you probably can't call yourself a hypnotherapist in most places without some sort of certification. That said, certification is out there. And yes, people do write and call me asking if I "do NLP" because they've heard it's faster and more effective for X than other kinds of therapy. So it's not all THAT obscure, and even less so in the UK than over on my side of the planet, I think.

'Hypnotherapist' seems (to me) to be more evocative than 'NLP Practitioner', but then again, no catch-all term could do justice to what NLP can offer... until it does.

I'm very re-assured to hear that NLP is being actively sought; when the umpteenth person says "what's NLP?" I have wonderered (obviously, I tailor the answer to my reading of what might be of some use to them)! Thank you for the positive K!

Jon,

So you want a sign on the door to your therapy room that reads..... hypno the rapist??!!??

I am assuming that you are in the UK so..... To start your business I suggest that you get in contact with your local chamber of commerce or businss link offices and ask them if they run a new enterprise initiative or know of one locally.

There you will be able to learn how to plan starting a business, build a business plan, develop networking contacts, learn the basics of marketing and more depending on how the local initiative is run.

If you are under 25 you can also contact the Princes Trust who help set up new businesses.. and if you are over 50 there is a senior start up initiative as well.

Insurance to practice can be obtained through towergate insurance this can cover you for NLP and Hypnosis etc..

To get some free marketing I suggest contacting your local paper with a local news item.... something like hypnotist cures fear of flying etc... or ask them if they would like someone to write a column on therapy in return for free advertising etc...

Sorry I have run out of steam now the snow is clogging my thoughts.

Be Well,

Jason

Jason

There's some great pointers, and I thank you kindly. I've only ever had a full-time job until now, and it looks like a steep learning curve regarding marketing etc, so it's game-on time for me - learn it quickly or run out of cash!

I forgot about RB's Hypno The Rapist tag - rather offputting!

Cheers

It's a pleasure...

Good luck and if you have any questions on starting a business etc... just PM me and I will do my best to give you a steer. I have made enough mistakes to know how not to do it at least...

Dont worry about the hypno the rapist bit just make sure there are no gaps what ever you choose...

Jason