I have found recently that people I speak to online, who know i practice NLP, have started asking if I can help them whilst talking on chat pages or instant messengers.  At first this was a bit daunting, thinking to myself that I wouldn't be able to see the facial reactions, eye accessing reactions etc.

However, having taken the plunge and done quite a few sessions, I have found NLP to be equally as effective.  I have dealt with situations varying from simple headaches, for which I found the painting technique spoken of by Mike Hawkes very useful, to back pains and varying other aches and pains, leading up to severe panic attacks where people couldn't sleep or go outside, and I have had positive results in all these situations, with each case the discomfort/problem being resolved.

I wonder how far this medium could be taken, in the form of NLP?

Although it is harder to phrase your language when typing, and people typing their responses back can seem like an age has passed, because you can't see their reactions, r.e.m. etc. I feel that there is an advantage here to be considered in making NLP more widely available.

Has anyone else had any experience in this field? If so I would be pleased to hear your views/experiences, so that I could look into this situation.

Who knows? ..... In a few years we could all use NLP via an instant messenger instead of face to face therapy sessions.  Far fetched? maybe, but not unrealistic. don't you agree?

Richard.

well an interesting idea and maybe not so far fetched if the person who requires the help has a web cam and its done as a session online then maybe it will be even more effective at least a basic visual there to help would be useful.

and even though some web cams dont give a good clear picture  (people usually not close enough) you could see their reactions anyhow.

a new level to NLP !! heres hopeing

I've done 'remote' therapy a few times now. Key indicators include:

1. The time it takes for someone to respond.
2. Meta-model question responses.
3. Subtle things like the way that punctuation changes - or is added (wow! or hmm? etc.).
4. Capitalisation of key words in their responses.

In gaining rapport, I'll mirror language patterns and, occasionally, use  two spaces  around key phrases or embedded suggestions/commands.

I know several hypnotists who run webinars using web-cams and audio in addition to text entry. I believe most of these sessions have some success - my preference is, where possible, to work with the subject face-to-face.

As with all therapy, observation is the key. Notice everything, including the mistakes.

I love this thread

Ever since I started with NLP, I used chat interfaces to use my "new knowledge". After a few years with this, I also came to the conclution that you can do a great deal more than what you would think is possible through either live chat or even mail.

I have been talking to people used to chat interfaces, usage of smilies and certain expressions (to replace body language). You'd be amazed how good you can make someone feel just through MSN Messenger, Relay chat (IRC) or other forms of live chat.

Here's an example of how you can use smilies (in a funny say  )

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"Aaah... I see your problem. You get this feeling everytime you meet this person when you really want to have a  feeling. I think i have an idea here."

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Besides what mike mentioned you also have to concider this:

• It's hard to calibrate, so you *will* find yourself "fishing" far more at first. using neutral words that cannot be misinterpreted is a good start.
• Questions is probably your key to success.Most people find it hard to express their feelings accurately when they're sitting in front of a computer.
• You can use onomatopoetic words. ("Shazam! KaBoom!".. it works)
• Transform and Utilize techniques if you need them. Logical levels, Visual Squash, Disney etc.
• Concider which issues you *can* deal with through chat. You don't want to see "Client XYZ left the chat" (in tears).
• Misunderstandings occur. Don't use long sentences. one line at a time
• Get enough background information if you have a scheduled online meeting. I usually ask the client to write down the issues, what he wants, and when he wants the change to take place. (and how good he would feel about that ;))

Aside from that, don't drink coffee over your keyboard and for heavens sake, see to it that you have a stable internet connection before you even concider starting to do this

Kristian

I love that post

I hadn't considered smilies in that context - any other suggestions?

Thanks Mike I'll put something down here... from the top of my head (quick and horrible, as my brothers cooking)

As of late, I've been working a lot with administrating forumgroups, such as this. Mainly to keep an eye out on what is being said, "guiding" those who keep ending up misunderstood and to make sure discussions are going as planned.

MindCandy: Most people have little, if any experience with forums. Forgotten skills, written rethorics and the ability to transform a verbal sentence to something written, has a comeback today... Amazingly, the "good old" generation, accustomed to writing letters are more successful there, (50+ years old) while the "young" generation need to be guided, corrected and forced to explain things over and over. (25-35 years old). Us norwegians score high in any case because, as mike said, "Your'e absolutely right, because you have a dialect"

Anyway, if you work with a client pro chat (this is a good replacement for coaching by phone in between the coaching sessions), you will notice he/she will get more accustomed to using the chat interface. Establishing the proper rapport and trust in a real life meeting at first certainly helps, but if you are unable to do this (I, for one, refuse to go to china once a week to consult someone), you will most likely have to do quite a job before you meet. The fact that your client does not see you can act both as an advantage and a disadvantage. After talking to a coleague of mine about this, we figured out that the big challenge is to avoid ending up as some kind of "oracle", which is a common problem when dealing with someone through alternative communication.

What's the good thing about Live online therapy/coaching

• It's "safe" for the client. He/She may want to meet in reality after consulting pro chat.
• The client may feel less bound by his/hers filters and can be more open
• You can reach clients all over the world
• When you use a chat interface, it's far more easier to "step out of" a problem for the client.
• It's new, therefore exciting to work with

What's the challenges?

• You cannot calibrate the way you are used to.
• Establishing good rapport is a process that never ends, and can be broken far easier than in a real life meeting.
• It's a hassle (in my opinion) to deal with billing.
• If you lack the neccecary background information, you will most likely use most of the time figuring out what the problem is.
• There are Limitations to how much you can "build someone up" emotionally, as you have no visual contact.

Eventually, the skills needed to help someone change via Mail, Forums or Live chat are different than "real life" skills.

cheers all