Steve Andreas (formerly known as John O. Stevens) was a pivotal figure in the field of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). He was the son of Barry Stevens, a prominent Gestalt therapist. His involvement with NLP began in 1977 as an early student of its founders, Richard Bandler and John Grinder. Alongside his wife, Connirae Andreas, he co-founded NLP Comprehensive, one of the earliest and most influential NLP training organizations.
In 1967, Steve established Real People Press, a publishing company dedicated to producing high-quality books focused on personal development and change. Through this press, he and Connirae helped bring several foundational NLP texts to a wider audience, including:
- Frogs into Princes by Richard Bandler and John Grinder (1979)
- Trance-formations by Bandler and Grinder (1981)
- Reframing by Bandler and Grinder (1982)
- Using Your Brain for a Change by Richard Bandler (1985)
Together, Steve and Connirae also authored some of NLP’s enduring classics:
- Change Your Mind and Keep the Change (1987)
- Heart of the Mind (1989)
Steve Andreas wrote several influential works of his own, including:
- Transforming Your Self: Becoming Who You Want to Be – a book centered on reshaping self-concept
- NLP: The New Technology of Achievement (with Charles Faulkner, 1994)
- Six Blind Elephants – a two-volume exploration of scope and category in NLP theory and application
He also contributed to the field through practical demonstrations, including videos on eliminating compulsive behaviors. Steve Andreas remains widely respected for his clarity, precision, and contributions to the development and dissemination of NLP.
Video – eliminating a compulsion.