Verbal reframes

Verbal reframes of NLP are based upon the work of Robert Dilts, who modeled Richard Bandler’s verbal patterns during a training.

Verbal reframes consist of a number of different verbal patterns used to loosen problem states of either cause-effect or complex equivalence types. By challenging the basis of these verbal constructs or beliefs, we begin to open up our maps of the world.

The verbal reframes include movement through time (past and future), reframes chunking up and reframes chunking down, and lateral reframes. We consider a few of these patterns here.

Suppose we consider the statement “I am a failure”.

Consider movement backwards in time. One reframe we can offer is to suggest (or ask) what the prior positive intention of a certain belief is. The benefit of such a question is that we dissociate the belief from the individual who holds it.

Suppose we discover the positive intention: “by considering myself a failure, I can avoid trying new things that I might fail at, and therefore save myself from disappointment”.

By recognizing this, I am able to make an informed choice: I can choose to try new things (and risk finding out that I am not able to do everything perfectly the first time) or I can choose not to do it. At least I am making a conscious choice at that stage.

Of course, if we take this reframe to its logical conclusion, we arrive at the famous six step reframe.

Let us reframe the belief by moving forward in time. We can ask, if I hold this belief for the rest of my life, how will that work for me? What will my life be like if I do not try anything new?

By recognizing the effect a belief may have on my life, I can choose to make more resourceful choices.

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© 2007 International Center for Positive Psychology and Hypnosis