Does NLP work? (Source: DeepSeek Ai Chat)  
Okay, I need to explain how Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) works. Let me start by recalling what I know. NLP is a psychological approach that involves analysing strategies used by successful individuals and applying them to reach personal goals. It relates to the connection between neurological processes, language, and behavioral patterns learned through experience.

First, I should mention the origins. NLP was developed in the 1970s by Richard Bandler and John Grinder. They studied therapists like Fritz Perls and Virginia Satir to model their techniques. That's the foundation—modeling excellence.

Next, the core concepts. There's the idea that people have internal "maps" of reality formed by sensory experiences. NLP aims to modify these maps to change behavior. The presuppositions, like "the map is not the territory," meaning our perception isn't reality itself. Also, concepts like rapport building, sensory acuity, and outcome framing.

Techniques are a big part. Techniques like anchoring, where a stimulus is linked to a emotional state. Reframing, changing the context or meaning of a thought. The Meta Model, using language to clarify vague thoughts. The Milton Model for more persuasive communication. Swish pattern to change habits, and mirroring to build rapport.

Applications include therapy, coaching, communication improvement, personal development. But I should note the controversy—there's limited scientific evidence supporting NLP's effectiveness, leading to skepticism in the scientific community. Critics argue it's pseudoscientific.

I need to structure this clearly. Start with a brief overview, then origins, core concepts, techniques, applications, and criticisms. Make sure to explain each part simply, avoid jargon where possible, and clarify that while popular in some circles, it's not universally accepted as effective.

Wait, I should check if the techniques are correctly described. Anchoring is associating a stimulus with a state. Reframing is changing perspective. The Meta Model vs. Milton Model: Meta is specific questions to clarify, Milton is vague language for therapy. Swish pattern involves replacing a behavior with a desired one.

Also, the presuppositions like "people have all the resources they need," which is a positive assumption in NLP. Rapport through mirroring body language, matching predicates (visual, auditory words).

Applications—maybe include examples like overcoming phobias, improving public speaking, negotiation skills. But the criticism part is important; need to mention studies that found little evidence, and that some consider it a pseudoscience.

I need to present it neutrally, explaining both the proponents' views and the criticisms. Maybe conclude that while NLP has influenced various fields, its efficacy is debated, and more research is needed.

Wait, am I mixing up any concepts? Let me confirm. Meta Model challenges distortions in language, Milton Model uses ambiguity for therapeutic trance. Swish pattern is visualization to replace responses. Anchoring is like Pavlovian conditioning.

Yes. Also, rapport is matching and mirroring to build trust. Sensory acuity is noticing subtle cues in others. Outcomes should be positively framed, specific.

Alright, structure the answer with these points. Keep each section concise, use headings if possible, but in the response here, maybe bullet points or sections separated by paragraphs.

Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP): An Overview

Origins
Developed in the 1970s by Richard Bandler and John Grinder, NLP emerged from studying successful therapists like Fritz Perls and Virginia Satir. The goal was to model their techniques into a systematic framework, linking neurology, language, and behavior.

Core Concepts

1. Subjective Experience: Individuals create internal "maps" of reality through sensory input (sight, sound, touch, etc.). NLP seeks to modify these maps to alter behavior.

2. Presuppositions: Foundational beliefs include "The map is not the territory" (perception ≠ reality) and "People have all the resources they need" (emphasizing innate potential).

3. Rapport Building: Techniques like mirroring body language or matching verbal predicates (e.g., visual/auditory words) to enhance trust.

4. Sensory Acuity: Sharpening observation of nonverbal cues (e.g., tone, posture) to better understand others.

5. Outcome Orientation: Encouraging specific, positive goal-setting (e.g., "What do you want?" instead of "What don’t you want?").

Key Techniques

• Anchoring: Associating a stimulus (e.g., a touch) with a desired emotional state (e.g., confidence).

• Reframing: Changing the context or meaning of a thought (e.g., viewing a challenge as an opportunity).

• Meta Model: Using precise questions to clarify vague language (e.g., "What exactly do you mean by 'failure'?").

• Milton Model: Employing vague, metaphorical language to induce therapeutic trance (used in hypnosis).

• Swish Pattern: Visualizing a problematic image "swishing" into a desired outcome to reprogram responses.

Applications

• Therapy/Coaching: Addressing phobias, anxiety, or limiting beliefs.

• Communication: Enhancing persuasion, public speaking, or negotiation skills.

• Personal Development: Improving habits, motivation, or emotional regulation.

Criticisms & Controversy

• Lack of Empirical Support: Many studies find insufficient evidence for NLP’s efficacy, leading to its classification as pseudoscience by some researchers.

• Theoretical Ambiguity: Concepts like "energy" or "submodalities" lack scientific rigor.

• Mixed Reception: While popular in self-help and business circles, NLP is often excluded from clinical psychology curricula.

Conclusion
NLP offers tools for modeling excellence and self-improvement, drawing on language and behavior patterns. However, its effectiveness remains debated, with critics emphasizing the need for more rigorous research. Practitioners may find value in its techniques, but users should approach claims with critical evaluation.