Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is an approach to communication, personal development, and psychotherapy created by Richard Bandler and John Grinder in California,
United States in the 1970s. Its creators claim a connection between the
neurological processes ("neuro"), language ("linguistic") and
behavioral patterns learned through experience ("programming") and that
these can be changed to achieve specific goals in life.
Bandler and Grinder claim that the skills of exceptional people can be
"modeled" using NLP methodology, then those skills can be acquired by
anyone. Bandler and Grinder also claim that NLP can treat problems such as phobias, depression, habit disorder, psychosomatic illnesses, myopia,allergy, common cold and learning disorders, often in a single session. NLP has been adopted by some hypnotherapists and in seminars marketed to business and government.