BREAKTHROUGH and RESISTANCE – NLPt on the Rocky Path to Acceptance

The story of Neuro-Linguistic Psychotherapy (NLPt), told by Nada Kaiser, describes resistance, breakthroughs, and pioneering spirit. With innovative approaches that connect language, mind, and body, she succeeded in establishing NLPt despite skepticism. The article highlights milestones such as its recognition in Europe and Nada Kaiser’s pioneering work in Croatia – an inspiring success story.

The history of Neuro-Linguistic Psychotherapy (NLPt) reads like an adventure novel about outsiders and visionaries. Hardly any other method that aimed to revolutionize the world of psychotherapy was initially met with so much skepticism. Yet NLPt kept knocking on the doors of established organizations, trying to demonstrate its value to the world. With its approach of linking language, mind, and body, it is as fascinating as it is controversial.

Since the 1980s, NLP began to gain recognition as a therapeutic method. Back then, NLPt was like an unexpected spark in a room full of entrenched structures. Critics lamented the lack of scientific evidence. Supporters, however, countered with support from modern neuroscience, which had already begun to validate NLPt techniques. A duel of opinions that continues to this day. While the professional world debated, pioneers like Nada Kaiser set out to put it into practice.

1986 – the first major step: The curriculum for NLPt was developed. The ball started rolling. A few years later, in 1995, dedicated therapists in Vienna came together to found the European Association for Neuro-Linguistic Psychotherapy (EANLPt). They were determined to establish NLPt in Europe – no matter the cost.

What followed was a moment that changed everything: In 1997, the European Association for Psychotherapy officially recognized NLPt as an equivalent method. It was a breakthrough that proved it is worth holding on to a vision – even if the path is anything but easy.

And then came 2007: Austria, a country often praised for its pioneering role in psychotherapy, granted NLPt official state recognition. Finally, after years of hard work – particularly by Peter Schütz – the method was placed on par with other established therapies.

The story of NLPt is not only the development of a therapeutic method, but also a testament to perseverance and innovation. Since its beginnings, the method has inspired countless people and improved their quality of life – despite all the criticism. These successes show that progress is possible when courage and persistence come together.

This pioneering spirit also led one woman to forge new paths: Nada Kaiser was one of those who would not be stopped by doubts and resistance. She took it all to heart and realized that Croatia could benefit from the potential of NLPt. She brought her passion and knowledge to a region that longed for healing and new perspectives. A courageous endeavor that became part of a much larger story.

Let yourself be inspired by this journey and dive deeper into her story in the next section. It is a shining example of how an idea – no matter how small it may seem – can change entire worlds in the right hands.

"WHEN I THINK BACK TO THE BEGINNINGS OF MY JOURNEY, I AM STILL FILLED WITH WONDER AT HOW IT ALL STARTED"

NADA KAISER

From Dream to Reality How Nada Kaiser Established NLPt in Croatia

Nada Kaiser grew up in Croatia but decided to build her career as a psychotherapist in Germany. Over more than 40 years, she gained profound experience in therapy and coaching before mustering the courage in 2008 to return to Croatia and break new ground there. Her goal was to establish educational programs for NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) and NLPt (Neuro-Linguistic Psychotherapy) to provide people in her home region with new therapeutic opportunities.

In Germany, she had established herself as an expert in NLP and NLPt, leading numerous trainings at all levels. She brought this expertise to Croatia, where she founded HANLP/HANLPt, the Croatian Association for NLP and NLPt. With her organization, she laid the foundation for a solid and internationally recognized NLPt training in Croatia. The challenge: a country with no psychotherapy law, no comprehensive structures, and a society often skeptical of psychotherapy.

Nada Kaiser sees NLPt as a method that goes far beyond traditional psychotherapy. NLPt combines insights from neuroscience, linguistics, and psychology to bring about profound changes in clients. The approach is based on the idea that many psychological and emotional challenges stem from recurring thought patterns and unconscious self-descriptions through language.

Nada is convinced that NLPt is especially suitable for clients who have not made satisfactory progress with traditional therapeutic approaches. The method views body, mind, and language as inseparably connected and thus provides a comprehensive foundation for deep personal transformation.

The work in Croatia began in a challenging environment. Psychotherapy was not legally regulated in the region, and there was often uncertainty about what professional therapeutic work could achieve. Many saw psychotherapy as a taboo topic or had no access to it. Nada had to engage in a lot of persuasion—both in society and with the authorities.

Nada worked closely with European organizations to bring NLPt in Croatia up to international standards. As early as 2016, she began training participants as an accredited NLPt teaching therapist in Neuro-Linguistic Psychotherapy. Cooperation with colleagues from Germany and other countries played a central role in this process.

Her commitment paid off: In 2019, Croatia passed a psychotherapy law that officially recognized the profession for the first time. This was a milestone that honored not only Nada Kaiser's work but also the work of many other pioneers in the region. With the law, a framework was created that could officially integrate innovative approaches such as NLPt—a major success in a country where psychotherapeutic services had previously been scarce.

In many countries, such as Germany, NLPt is not yet officially established as a state-recognized method of psychotherapy, even though it is very popular in fields like coaching and personal development. However, Croatia has made a major step forward with this new law by legally recognizing psychotherapy as an independent discipline. This is a great success because it opens the door for new and exciting approaches that can help people better understand and overcome their problems.

In countries like Croatia, where there are not many psychotherapeutic services available or therapy is still stigmatized, NLPt has the potential to truly make a difference – and it is worth continuing to fight for its recognition.

What is the difference between NLP and NLPt?

Neuro-Linguistic Psychotherapy (NLPt) is an integrative psychotherapeutic approach based on the principles of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).

It is important to distinguish NLP from NLPt. While traditional NLP is known as a method for enhancing communication and achieving personal success, NLPt focuses on the therapeutic application and treatment of psychological difficulties. NLPt aims to promote deep healing by intentionally changing thought patterns, behaviors, and emotional responses. The emphasis lies on a holistic approach that views body, mind, and language as inseparably connected.

NLPt assumes that many psychological issues stem from recurring, often unconscious thought patterns and linguistic self-descriptions, which can lead to behaviors that are detrimental to the person. NLPt therapists work to identify and break these patterns by changing the way individuals interpret and process their experiences.

Purpose and Context

NLP is primarily a communication method and a tool for personal development, used to improve communication skills, achieve goals, and increase personal effectiveness. It includes techniques for modeling successful behavior and thinking patterns, with applications in many fields.

NLPt (Neuro-Linguistic Psychotherapy), on the other hand, is a form of psychotherapy used for therapeutic purposes, focusing on deeper, long-term changes at the levels of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Approach and Methods

NLP uses quick, practical techniques to change specific thought patterns or behaviors. NLPt employs a more complex approach that works with unconscious patterns, belief systems, and emotional matrices of the client, often integrating techniques from other psychotherapeutic schools.

The methodological approaches and applications of NLPt are based on techniques for changing negative thought and behavior patterns, including:

• Working with beliefs – replacing negative beliefs with positive ones
• Timeline work – processing past traumas and events
• Anchoring techniques – activating positive states
• Reframing – reinterpreting problematic situations
• Systemic approach – viewing the client within a social context

The role of NLPt in modern psychotherapy is increasingly recognized, especially in Europe. The holistic approach of NLPt is solution- and resource-oriented and views psychological disorders as patterns that can be changed.

Duration and Requirements

The training lasts at least four years and includes working with clients, self-reflection, as well as exams and other assessments.

NLPt Curriculum

The training to become an NLPt therapist includes theoretical knowledge, practical experience, and personal reflection. Key topics of the curriculum are:

• Cybernetics and the theory of mind by Gregory Bateson, which examines how information systems function through feedback, shaped the NLP learning structure, including the concept of logical levels of learning.
• Robert Dilts' model of logical levels supports clients in NLPt in integrating various aspects of their identity, thereby reducing internal conflicts.
• Albert Bandura's social-cognitive learning theory, which uses modeling as a method for adopting behaviors, inspired the "modeling of excellence," i.e., adapting successful strategies of recognized experts in a therapeutic context.

Further influences include:

• Transformational grammar by Noam Chomsky, which serves as the basis for linguistic models in NLP. The Meta and Milton language models were developed to offer clients new perspectives.
• Alfred Korzybski and Ernst von Glasersfeld shaped the linguistic structure of NLP by emphasizing that language influences our perception of reality.
• The TOTE model by Pribram, Galanter, and Miller confirms the goal-oriented process of NLPt, using structured steps to support the client in reaching their goals.
• Sensory modalities (visual, auditory, kinesthetic), influenced by William James, led to the development of submodality techniques in NLP that transform emotional experience.

The application of NLPt influences the brain's neuroplasticity—its ability to form new neural connections. Through techniques such as reframing and submodality change, clients transform limiting beliefs and values. Thus, NLPt offers the opportunity to sustainably change mental processes and emotional reactions and to build resilience.

Conclusion

A story of courage and perseverance

Nada Kaiser’s work shows how a vision can change the world. Her story is an example of the courage to challenge existing structures and to create something new. NLPt has found a home in Croatia, and Nada Kaiser’s pioneering work continues to inspire people looking for innovative approaches.

The story of NLPt is far from over. It invites us to become part of this movement—through curiosity, commitment, or the willingness to take new paths. Nada Kaiser’s journey shows us that even the greatest obstacles can be overcome when passion and perseverance come together.

Perhaps you are the next pioneer to establish NLPt in your region? Because what is considered unconventional today could change the world tomorrow.