Change often begins with recognising an inner conflict. We may want one thing and yet act in another direction. Six Step Reframing helps these parts work together. This section explains how the process gently unfolds.
The Six Step Reframing Process.
Before you start – don’t over-analyse. This technique sounds a little strange, but it really works and can produce some powerful changes for your client.
Get in touch with the part that’s causing the behaviour.
- Ask your client what habit or behaviour they want to change.
- Ask them to go inside themselves and ask: “Will the part that causes this behaviour communicate with me in consciousness?”
- Tell your client to be aware of any internal changes in their body sensations, sounds, or mental images. Are they confident this change represents a yes?
- When your client is confident they’ve received a yes response, they should respectfully thank that part for communicating in consciousness.
Understand what that part is trying to achieve.
- Now ask your client to ask that first part to explain what it wants to achieve by exhibiting the habit or behaviour. What is the part’s positive intention? Ask your client to listen carefully, and when they have an answer that satisfies them, to let you know what it is.
- When your client lets you know the positive intention, repeat it back to them, so they can confirm that you’ve heard it correctly. Remind your client to thank that part for having that positive intention and for sharing it.
Ask for alternative ways to achieve the same – or better – outcome.
- Your clients now needs to go to their creative part, the part that has helped them find solutions to opportunities and challenges, and ask it to communicate in consciousness. Again, ask your client to notice any signals that they’re happy to accept as a yes.
- Once your client has received an affirmation from their creative part, ask them to say thank you and follow up by asking for at least three alternative habits or behaviours that will satisfy the positive intention and also be better overall. Your client will need to sit quietly and just listen to the replies. When there are at least three suggestions, ask them to thank their creative part and select one of the suggestions.
Gently find a different approach that the client is willing to try.
- Now ask your client to return to the original part, that caused the habit or behaviour, and ask if it would be happy to try out the new behaviour for a short while – initially for no more than a week. If the part says yes, ask your client to future pace the new habit or behaviour. If the part says no, ask the client to to go back to their creative part for more suggestions, and then try again.
- Once your client has settled on a new behaviour to try out, ask him or her to thank the parts involved and to remember that the parts are simply a useful metaphor, and they’ll work best as a fully integrated individual.
- Ask your client what they can do to encourage the new habit or behaviour.
Your Next Step
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NLP Techniques – Six Step Reframing: FAQs
Q: What is Six Step Reframing in NLP?
A: Six Step Reframing is an NLP change process that helps separate behaviour from positive intention, enabling new and more effective responses to emerge.
Q: Why is positive intention important in this process?
A: The process assumes all behaviours originally serve a positive purpose. By acknowledging this, change becomes more cooperative and sustainable.
Q: When is Six Step Reframing useful?
A: It is helpful when someone repeatedly does something they no longer want to do, yet part of them resists stopping.
Q: Can Six Step Reframing be self-guided?
A: Yes, it can be learned and practiced, though working with a trained practitioner can increase clarity, pace, and depth.