Research Summary

INTRODUCTION

The Trauma Team​ uses a proprietary Trauma Protocol based on trauma focused NLP (tf-NNLP).

tf-NLP© is the next generation of the NLP trauma protocol, advancing other NLP based protocols, such as Rewind and RTM, by the inclusion of several protocol enhancement techniques. These enable the elicitation of root causes of trauma, identifying and ameliorating adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), the temporal placement of the intervention and sequencing of NLP techniques after the clearing of the trauma.

The following is a partial summary of the research validating the efficacy of tf-NLP.

UPDATES

1. Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories Protocol Compared to Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in UK Military Veterans

 This is  must read! The Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) is an NLP intervention (see explanations further on this research page) that has been manualized and renamed specifically for use with veterans by the Research and Recognition Organization. In the UK, people with PTSD who seek care are referred to clinicians using trauma focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TFCBT) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). In the UK EMDR is not recommended for combat related PTSD. Training for both TFCBT and EMDR is extensive and time consuming. Importantly, non-response rates to TFCBT can be as high as 50%. This gives rise to a desideratum; a trauma intervention that has higher efficacy, and can be learned and delivered in less time.

In the study, there are many key findings, including:

  • NLP based RTM was taught to charity based therapists in a brief, 4-day training.
  • NLP based RTM was delivered in 2 to 4 90 minute sessions with a minimum of 1 sleep cycle between sessions, completed in less than 3 weeks. (3-6 hours of therapy)
  • TFCBT was delivered in 18 - 60 to 90 minute weekly sessions. (18-24 hours of therapy)
  • PTSD symptoms were measured with DSM-V based PCL-5 as well as depression and mental health outcome data, including WSAS, QPR, GAD and PHQ scales.
  • Participants receiving RTM had a mean reduction of 18 points on the PCL-5 score compared to a median reduction of 8 points for TFCBT.
  • 48% of the NLP based RTM group no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD while only 16% of the TFCBT were below the diagnostic criteria.
  •  Health status improved in the NLP based RTM group only.

Conclusion: NLP based RTM can be learned very quickly and delivered by charity based therapists in less than one quarter (15-25%) of time and has a three times greater efficacy than TFCBT.

2. The Albuquerque Trainee Results on PsyArxiv

In 2018 and 2019 several trainings of the NLP based RTM protocol were delivered to licensed mental health care professionals in Albuquerque, New Mexico (two delivered by Allen Kanerva as the Training Director for The Research and Recognition Project) (R&R). Subsequently, 18 graduates submitted the anonymized data on clients they treated for PTSD using RTM including pre & post PSSI-5 and PCL-5 PTSD Assessments. Of those treated, 94% scored below the diagnostic cutoff for any diagnosis of PTSD post treatment. This is an extraordinary success with real clients in real clinical setting.

 3. Traumatic Memories Protocol in Military Women

A study released in September 2021 focusing on women, demonstrated a 90% success rate that remained stable at one year. The study reviews the NLP derived intervention labelled RTM. The methodology used is described as: "... a waitlist RCT using 30 military-connected females with DSM-IV-TR PTSD diagnoses, including current-month nightmares or flashbacks. Trauma types include military sexual trauma, other sexual traumas, combat, and other trauma types. Participants were randomized to treatment or waitlist. Of those enrolled, 97% completed treatment. Independent psychometricians, blinded to treatment condition, evaluated participants at intake, post wait, and two weeks post. The clinician took follow-up measures at six months and one year.

THE RESEARCH

Trauma Focused NLP (tf-NLP©) is based on the procedure originally developed by Dr. Richard Bandler and Dr. John Grinder known as the Visual-Kinesthetic Dissociation (V/K Dissociation). (see: Frogs into Princes in 1979)

In 1985, an enhanced version of the protocol appeared in Using Your Brain for Change. Subsequently, the procedure has appeared in many iterations as successive NLP practitioners used the protocol, collaborated with other practitioners and shared their findings organically through NLP trainings and conferences.

​This includes Steve Andreas’ interpretation and application of the protocol that appears in the book Heart of the Mind and can be seen at a presentation to the panel on brain science at the Psychotherapy Networker Conference in March 2014 and the work of Robert Dilts and Judith Delozier, including their differentiation of the phobia and trauma models that can be found in the Encyclopedia of Systemic Neuro-Linguistic Programming.

​In the United Kingdom, another version called the Rewind Technique was developed by David Muss and first published in A New Technique for Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in the British Journal of Clinical Psychology in 1991. Rewind is used and accepted in the UK as a therapeutic intervention under the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

​Arguably the most knowledgeable person with regard to the application of the NLP V/K Dissociation and the neuro science behind its efficacy is Dr. Richard Gray.

In 2010 he published NLP and PTSD: the Visual-Kinesthetic Dissociation Protocol, in: Current Research in NLP: vol2 – Proceedings of 2010 Conference. In that publication, Dr. Gray clearly articulates the evolution of the NLP protocol and the mechanisms that he believes alleviate the traumatic symptoms.

​In his 2011 article: "NLP and PTSD: The Visual-Kinesthetic Dissociation Protocol", Dr. Gray maps the entire NLP trauma intervention on page 22.

​Here, on the Organic View Radio Show, Dr. Gray discusses the application of NLP to overcome PTSD with Donna Blinston and shares how successful the NLP V/K Dissociation is.​

And in this video clip, recorded at a live training conducted in 2014, Dr. Gray describes the NLP intervention, its applicability, and efficacy.

Dr. Frank Bourke from the Research and Recognition Project (R&R) and Dr. Richard Gray completed the most comprehensive research to date on the NLP trauma intervention which they (re) named: The Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM).​

In this podcast interview on Life After PTSD, Dr. Richard Gray describes the NLP foundations of RTM, genesis of the RTM protocol, re-consolidation and the neuro science that is applicable to tf-NLP©.

Most striking is the success rate that R&R achieved during research – greater than 92% success rate – with no reported recurrence. See their research here: http://www.researchandrecognition.org/articles.html

Their initial research was published in the Journal of Military, Veteran’s and Families online publication in 2015, titled Remediation of intrusive symptoms of PTSD in fewer than five sessions: a 30-person pre-pilot study of the RTM Protocol.

​Ongoing research sponsored by Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences titled Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories to Resolve Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and conducted at Walter Reed Hospital, compares RTM to Prolonged Exposure (PE). (RTM is described as “… first used to treat phobias in the 1970s…” referring to the NLP Trauma/Phobia model) .

​At Kings College London, NLP based RTM is being compared to Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, TF-CBT. (the full description can be found here: ISRCTN Registry.  In the section "Intervention", RTM is described as "...an NLP based, non-traumatizing intervention..." and further "... Most NLP interventions can be completed content free ...") 

 

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