Melody Cheal – UK – Integrating NLP and horse training

Another day and another chapter and today, I am delighted to welcome Melody Cheal. Melody works from UK and can be contacted on LinkedIn or at PSiNLP the Positive School of Intrinsic Neurolinguistic Psychology.

Talking4good (T4g): How did you come into contact with NLP?
Melody: In 1993 Joe and I were looking for a psychotherapy training programme. We found a course that covered Ericksonian hypnotherapy, psychotherapy and this thing called NLP. We had not even heard of it at the time. The course was run by Stephen Brooks running over a twelve month period. At the time we did not realise how good it was. It was a practitioner programme with a lot of additional material. Each month we attended a one day supervision session as well as the training module. It provided us with a very thorough understanding.

T4g: What NLP qualification do you have?
Melody: NLP Master Trainer awarded by John Overdurf and Julie Silverthorn, Neuro-Energetics. Note that my degree and Masters degrees are both in psychology, and my dissertation focused on how NLP improves self-esteem.

T4g: Which NLP association would your qualifications be accredited by?
Melody: We have our own accreditation as Master Trainers however we also have ANLP accreditation. This means that our Programmes have been independently peer reviewed and that we have signed up to a system that protects the client. Our school is PSiNLP the Positive School of Intrinsic Neurolinguistic Psychology. We formed this school with Julie Silverthorn, US Master Trainer and co-author of “Training Trances”.

T4g: Have you joined an NLP association?
Melody: We joined the ANLP for a number of reasons. Firstly the values of this organisation match our own with their commitment to integrity, standards and transparency. Secondly the ANLP provides a credible system of peer reviewed accreditation. Thirdly the ANLP is committed to protecting our profession. At the point where regulation is brought in by government the ANLP is in a position poised to be involved in the consultation process.

T4g: What do you like best in NLP?
Melody: I love the potential to help individuals make lasting change in their lives.

T4g: Tell us about integrating NLP with horse training for coaching purpose?
Melody: Our Liberty Equine Learning programme is designed to help people to become more self-aware. My co-trainer, Kate Webber is an NLP Master Practitioner and a qualified Natural horseman instructor. We utilise sensory acuity, rapport, the NLP pre-suppositions, modelling and state control. The horses are the real stars providing a mirror to the students. Part of the discovery comes from students interpreting their own experience using metaphor.

T4g: How is NLP present in your country?
Melody: According to some of my American colleagues the UK could be considered the centre of NLP now. It is relatively well known and accepted in the business world although some people are still cautious if they have experienced a practitioner who is a little over zealous! The public profile in the UK has gone up over the last 10 years. I think Paul McKenna has been a major marketing force for NLP. His media contacts have allowed him to present (mainly) the positive side of NLP, and most of his appearances have been demonstrating the therapeutic benefits of NLP. His higher profile has helped us all. The main challenge in the UK now revolves around the sheer number of practitioners and trainers of NLP. It is a very competitive market and unfortunately the quality and standards are variable.

T4g: What opportunity do you have to meet with other NLP practitioners?
Melody: Quite a few! GWiz run NLP Programmes from Practitioner through to Trainer’s Training, we also hold a monthly practice group. Throughout the year we speak at conferences and practice groups around the country. I also run supervision groups and sessions for NLP practitioners, hypnotherapists and coaches.

T4g: What about NLP and research?
Melody: I believe that research is essential for the future of NLP. We need to move beyond relying on anecdotal evidence if we want NLP to be more main stream. My own contribution so far has been my research into how NLP improves self-esteem. I used mixed method approaches meaning there were statistics involved. I presented my findings at the International NLP Research Conference in Cardiff, 2010. An article also appeared in the NLP Research Journal, vol 2 published in November 2011.

T4g: Any specific NLP research you would like to be involved with?
Melody: Yes, I would love to extend my current research into self-esteem and resilience.

T4g: What would be your next step with NLP?
Melody: Exciting! I currently have a couple of books in draft and will be looking to launch them in 2012.

T4g: A last comment to conclude?
Melody: Joe and I were drawn to Neuro-Energetics because of their Humanistic approach. This is something we have built upon in our own practice. It is important to us to ensure that our students receive on-going support in their personal development journey.

© 2012 Florence Dambricourt – talking4good.com/