A Passion for Change - Kathleen La Valle's Exclusive Interview with NLP LIFE - by Matthew Wingett

Kathleen S. La Valle is a Licensed Master Trainer of NLP™ & DHE™ and has been conducting training and development seminars for the past 20+ years. She specializes in Customer Service, Intuitive Processing, Sales & Influence, and Education. She is also the chief program developer for the NLP Seminars Group International and has developed programs for the banking industry, new home development companies, research & development organizations and pharmaceutical companies, to name a few. Kathleen also maintains a publishing house for books, tapes, and seminar room wall charts, etc.

 

I catch up with Kathleen for a few brief minutes in London during NLP LIFE TRAINING's October NLP Master Practitioner course. Kathleen has already made a powerful impression with the delegates after her clear presentation of the Meta Model, delivered with her trademark brand of humour, and light, bright delivery style. When her husband, John La Valle, President of the Society of Neuro-Linguistic Programming had introduced her to the group he had joked that he was afraid that he would be out of a job if he "let her go on".  Her warm reception was a testimony to her deftness as a trainer, and the unique style of her presentation.

 

Kathleen is a smart-thinking and highly articulate person, who projects a real sense of warmth of personality.  With a ready smile and an infectious laugh, she is a real pleasure to talk with. Catching her just before she is about to head out for an appointment, I think of the impressive presentation she gave and ask her: 

 

 

She pauses for a moment and considers the question. Then, in a voice that seems to always have in its tone a sense of delight and humour, she replies:

 

"When you see that a trainer has a certificate with the seal of the Society of Neuro-Linguistic Programming on it - when your see that logo and Richard's handwritten signature- you know that these are trainers that were trained personally by Dr Richard Bandler. That means there is a consistency in the marketplace. When you go to a Practitioner Course, or a Master Prac given by one of our trainers - you know that the information you'll be taught will be thorough and updated.  Sure, everyone has their different styles, but there's a consistency and a level of quality so that you know what to expect will be in the programme - because the trainers were trained by the Society."

 

 

"There are quite a few.  I mean thousands of trainers.  And they're all around the world. We have trainers in Serbia, we have trainers in Japan, we have trainers in Australia, we have lots of trainers in England, we have trainers in the United States, Germany, Italy, France - Indonesia - I mean - name a country.  (She laughs) It's worldwide!  We've got thousands of really great trainers out there - and I can't even tell you the number of Practitioners and Master Practitioners in the Society of NLP.  So it's probably hundreds and hundreds of thousands."

 

 

"The purpose of the time limit on the license is to keep standards up. It would be very easy to walk out of one of our trainings and do nothing with your NLP for a few years. Then, three years down the line, you decide to set up as a Practitioner of NLP. The whole point of the license agreement is that it runs for a set period, and then it expires. To renew it, you can attend any Society of NLP training of any length or subject or you can write to us and tell us what you've been doing with your NLP since you were licensed. Once we know that you've been practising your skills, then we will send you a new certificate. It's very straightforward to do. We'll even mail it to you for free!"

 

 

"Pure NLP is basically our site where you can find out about any of the trainings that we promote. You can also find information there about any of the trainings that appear on Richard's schedule, telling you where he is in the world. You can find out more information about Richard at www.richardbandler.com, as well.  

 

"So, Pure NLP is really a site dedicated to the NLP end of our business. We do mention in our bios on the site that John and I are consultants as well, because we do a lot of work within companies and corporations.  But the main thrust of that website is to introduce people to NLP. There is advice about how to find a good NLP Trainer, as well as articles about what NLP is, what DHE is, and so on. It's really devoted to the NLP aspect of our business, and supporting the Society of NLP."

 

 

"John and I really don't do that any more.  We used to do a lot of it - way back: twenty-something years ago. But our training schedule has increased to the point where we just don't have time for it any more. Sometimes, when we're at an event, somebody who is local to that area might say 'Hey can I come have a session with you while you're in town?' - And sometimes we can work that in - but we've really had to give up that part of it because we're always on the road somewhere - I mean (laughs) we are very rarely in our office, so clients would hardly ever be able to find us there!"

 

 

"I would have to say that it's the fact that I know that we're having a positive impact on people's lives. When I go to a practitioner training - in particular when it's with John La Valle and Richard Bandler - I watch these people walk in on the first day. Some of them look stressed. They look pained. They look nervous and they're wondering how well they can do in the programme. Then, when I see them on the last day of the programme, it's like they're totally different people. They look younger, they're happier, they're beaming and smiling. And they have that hope in their eye, that outlook - and that: 'I can now do something about what I want from life'.  

 

"Watching that unfold during the training is one of my biggest passions.  I almost giggle with delight when I see them walk in on the first day, because I know it's going to be so different for them.  I get really passionate about that. Really, my hope is to get enough people out there in the world being able to feel good and being able to make better decisions based on those good feelings rather than all the silliness that's out there now. Silliness about - you know - arguing whose god is better and whose politics are right, and all that other stuff. Silliness to do with thinking about scarcity instead of thinking about abundance. If we get more people doing good things and making good decisions and being happier in life, maybe we can affect this planet. I mean (laughs) - I know that sounds like a grandiose dream - but you know - I'm content to at least be doing it with a couple of hundred people at a time and to keep doing it. It's better than sitting back and just complaining!"

 

Sitting with Kathleen as she says this last thing, I am struck by how strongly and intensely she feels what she is saying. As a parting comment for our brief interview, it's perfect - capturing the can-do life-affirming attitude at the heart of NLP. I thank her as she prepares to leave for further meetings. The life of the internationally recognised NLP trainer is a busy one. I look forward to seeing her weave her magic in the training room some time again soon!

 

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