Richard Bandler is best known as one of the original creators of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), a field he helped pioneer in the early 1970s alongside John Grinder. Together, they studied and modeled the communication styles and therapeutic techniques of notable figures such as Virginia Satir (a leading family therapist), Fritz Perls (a founder of Gestalt therapy), and Milton Erickson (a renowned hypnotherapist). This led to the creation of the Meta Model, a structured framework for understanding and improving communication.
Bandler’s academic foundation includes studies in theoretical psychology, mathematics, computing, and sound engineering. This eclectic mix gave him a distinctive and technical lens through which he approached personal change and communication—quite different from Grinder’s perspective.
Following a complex and often contentious professional split from Grinder, which involved disputes over NLP’s intellectual property, Bandler went on to develop additional methodologies, including Design Human Engineering™ and Neuro-Hypnotic Repatterning™. His work is particularly known for its emphasis on submodalities—the finer sensory distinctions within internal experiences—as a powerful tool for change.
Described as a dynamic, intense, and sometimes controversial figure, Bandler’s personality has been labeled everything from intimidating and arrogant to witty and brilliant. What remains undisputed is his significant and lasting impact on the fields of personal development and therapeutic communication.
Part 1 and 2 of Bandler treating a fear of flying and claustrophobia.
Notable Works by Richard Bandler:
- Frogs into Princes: Neuro Linguistic Programming
- Trance-Formations: NLP and the Structure of Hypnosis
- Reframing: NLP and the Transformation of Meaning
- Using Your Brain for a Change
- Magic In Action
- Time for a Change
- The Adventures of Anybody
- Persuasion Engineering (co-authored with John La Valle)
Key Collaborations with John Grinder:
- The Structure of Magic Vol. I: A Book About Language and Therapy
- The Structure of Magic Vol. II: A Book About Communication and Change
- Patterns of the Hypnotic Techniques of Milton H. Erickson, M.D. Vol. I & II (Vol. II also with Judith DeLozier)
- Changing with Families (also co-authored with Virginia Satir)
These foundational texts laid the groundwork for the development of NLP as a distinct field of study and practice.