Some of the language used in NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) and Time Line Therapy® training can sometimes seem a little complex. If you’re learning, this Time Line Therapy® Glossary of Terms gives you quick access to the key references, terms and phrases used in the techniques.
What Is Time Line Therapy® Training?
Time Line Therapy® training is one methodology we learn to use as Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) Coaches.
Time Line Therapy® training enhances our ability to a client in reframing their mindset quickly. Specifically, Time Line Therapy® is used to release negative emotions and beliefs that limit the use of our internal resources. In addition, Time Line Therapy® is used for regression, phobia release, chronic pain relief and physical healing.
The process was created by Tad James in the 1980s and is used by most ABNLP Certified Trainers and Practitioners. You can read more about Time Line Therapy® training and emotional release here.
The Practitioner-level Time Line Therapy® training lasts 2 days and the Advanced level lasts 3 days.
Time Line Therapy® Glossary of Terms
Association/Associated
A way of describing our relationship to an experience. In a memory, for example, you are associated when you are looking through your own eyes, and experiencing the auditory, feelings and other sensory awareness as if you are in the present moment.
Dissociation/Dissociated
A way of describing our relationship to an experience. In a memory, for example, you are dissociated when you see yourself in the picture and you are not looking through your own eyes. You are dissociated from the experience.
Elicitation
This is the induction of a state in a client, or gathering information by asking questions or observing the client’s behaviour and body language.
Emotional Chains
In Time Line Therapy® we use the term emotional chains to describe an emotional gestalt. We rarely experience a single emotion at a time and an emotional gestalt is a collection of emotions (usually negative) on the same event or experience.
We see this when clients develop a pattern where one emotion is safer to express than another. For example, it might be safer to express hurt as anger, than to feel exposed and vulnerable. We address emotional chains with the ‘DROP DOWN THROUGH’ technique.
Future Pace/Pacing
Mentally rehearsing a future result, after a reframe to ensure the installation of a new strategy to create the desired outcome.
Gestalt
In Time Line Therapy® an emotional gestalt is a collection of a number of different emotional experiences (either the same or different emotions) in the same event or experience.
In Time Organised
We describe a person as In Time if their time line goes through their body. This often means their future is ahead of them and their past is behind them, however, it could be organised differently. In Time people have certain character traits associated with the right brain functions. See the images below for further explanation.
Limiting Belief
A belief is a generalisation we make about the world and our opinions about it. A limiting belief is a generalisation that blocks a wider perspective and prevents us from accessing all our resources. A client can create many limiting beliefs to justify a limiting decision made during or in response to a specific event.
Limiting Decision
A limiting decision is generated during a negative or traumatic event for the purpose of protection and safety. For example, “All cars are dangerous” protects the client after a near-miss with a car. The limiting decision is created before the (potentially numerous) limiting beliefs.
Minor Parts
Parts are a portion of the unconscious mind, which often have conflicting beliefs and values. In my training, I refer to minor parts as ‘towards-towards’ parts. This is when we have two choices and we are unable to make a decision because both seem equally appealing. As the client realises that both parts have the same higher intention, they become free to choose between the different options.
Negative Emotion
In Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Time Line Therapy® we categorise major negative emotions as Anger, Sadness, Fear, Hurt, Shame and Guilt. Minor negative emotions are lower levels of these emotions. For example, disappointment is a lower level version of sadness. It’s important to note that the highest level negative emotion is FEAR and all other negative emotions are a representation of that.
Past Pace/Pacing
Revisiting a past event in the mind, after a reframe to ensure the installation of a new strategy to create the desired outcome. We’re checking to see the client feels differently about the event.
Phobia
Extreme fear is another way of explaining a phobia. It is a type of anxiety disorder defined by a persistent and excessive fear of an object or situation. Phobias typically result in a rapid onset of both physical and mental symptoms and are present for more than six months. To be honest, phobia are rare.
Prime Concern
In Time Line Therapy® and NLP a prime concern describes our deepest identity level belief. This can be presented as a semantically packed word (a word with lots of possible meanings and spanning more than one area of our life). We all have concerns in our life. A prime concern is one that spans all areas of life.
Reframe
The process of changing the frame or context of a statement to give it another meaning. Effectively, it follows the same process as addressing and overcoming objections prior to breakthrough or agreement. A mindset shift is a reframe, enabling the client to see their situation from a different perspective.
Regression
Revisiting the representation of a past event in the mind of the client for the purpose of insight and reframing. The past event could be in the current lifetime, a previous lifetime or within the generational timeline of the client. We use regression to gain insight, understanding and to recover resources.
Significant Parts
Parts are a portion of the unconscious mind, which often have conflicting beliefs and values. In my training, I refer to significant parts as ‘away-away’ parts. This is when we have a locked in, no exit point in the belief frame of the client. To unlock the frame we usually need to work with negative emotion release, limiting decision/belief release, and prime concerns. Behavioual manifestations of significant parts are Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Phobia, Unhelpful Coping Mechanisms such as challenges with food, drugs or self-harm, and engagement in unhelpful patterns of behaviour. All parts are created for safety and protection. An example of a significant parts conflict in relationships might be – “I don’t want to be alone but I don’t want to commit to a relationship.”
Through Time Organised
We describe a person as Through Time if their time line sits in front of or behind their body and does not pass through it. Generally, their future is to the left or right of them and their past is to the left or right of them. Interestingly, this often matches with writing direction. Through Time people have certain character traits associated with the left brain functions. See the images below for further explanation.
Time Line
Our Time Line is the way we store our memories of the past, the present and the future.
Time Line Therapy® Glossary of Terms - Supporting Images
Representation of Through Time Versus In Time Organisation
More Realistic Representation Of Our Experience And Perception
How We Represent The 2D Time Line In Time Line Therapy®
I hope you find this Time Line Therapy® Glossary of Terms serves as a useful memory jog when you’re learning Time Line Therapy® or delivering the techniques.
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