Six-Step Reframing

Six-step reframing is one of the most well-known techniques in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming). In terms of logical levels, it operates at the level of abilities and possibilities, helping a person address problems whose core lies at this logical level. Moreover, this technique is aimed at confirming the positive intention behind a behavior. In other words, it focuses on the underlying reason for a behavior and explains or justifies it.

Within the technique—and in conversation—it is crucial to separate a person’s behavior, which may seem destructive or inappropriate, from the intention behind it, which usually serves a useful, protective, or other positive function.

Introducing the Concept of Parts

Before starting this technique, the therapist should introduce the concept of “parts” of the personality. This concept is actively used in the process and should be familiar to the client before they begin working on their problem. This creates an internal dissociation of personality parts for the client, a kind of inner reality that encourages a trance-like state. Although formal trance induction is not usually used here, if a trance state arises, it is generally helpful and should be supported.

To support this state, use the client’s own words, speak thoughtfully with pauses, and avoid distracting the client from self-reflection. The very idea of turning inward already encourages a trance state.

The concept of parts is usually introduced as follows: explain that a person has body parts—arms, legs, internal organs—each with specific functions. These functions combine to allow a person to act fully—run, jump, hold things, and so on. Watch for subtle signs of agreement, like a slight nod. Once the client agrees, explain that their personality also has parts responsible for different psychological functions: one part for family life, another for work, another for therapy sessions, and so on. Again, ensure the client accepts this metaphor. Once accepted, you can begin the six-step process, which gives the technique its name.

What Is a “Part” of Personality?

In this context, a “part” is a personal structure associated with a belief or value. This belief manifests in abilities and possibilities, which in turn manifest in behavior—forming a segment of the logical levels pyramid.

Six-step reframing can be used for almost any request, any behavior that is unclear to the person (usually destructive), any symptom (including psychosomatic issues), or recurring life situations (frequent injuries, constant relationship failures, etc.).

The technique is called “reframing” because it changes the frame of perception, just like in standard reframing; it shifts the perspective on behavior and changes the behavior itself by looking at its cause differently.

Technique Description

1. Step One: Identify the strategy, behavior, or symptom the client wants to change.
2. Step Two: Ask the client to make contact with the part of their personality responsible for this behavior. Suggest they look inward and find the part responsible: ask where it is, and whether it is willing to communicate about this behavior. Answers may come as images, inner voices, or sensations. Thank this part for cooperating.
3. Step Three: Separate the behavior from the positive intention of the part. Have the client ask the part what good it is trying to do for them through this behavior—what its positive intention is. Thank the part for its intention. Ask if it is willing to change its behavior while keeping the positive intention. Explain that the old behavior is problematic. Thank the part for agreeing.
4. Step Four: Ask the client to find their creative part (the part responsible for novelty) and request it to generate several alternative behaviors that would satisfy the intention of the first part (the one responsible for the problematic behavior). Ensure the options are generated without judgment. The client’s task is only to accept them, not to criticize. Preferably, several options should appear. Thank the creative part for its help.
5. Step Five: Have the client present the options suggested by the creative part to the first part. Let the first part choose suitable behaviors to replace the old one and accept them as actions for relevant situations. Thank the part.
6. Step Six: Ask the client to request the first part not to manifest itself at this moment and to check if any other parts of the personality object to any of the new behaviors. If there are objections, find out which behaviors are opposed and how strongly (categorical objections or suggestions for improvement). You can facilitate negotiations between the objecting part and the first part. If there are no objections, ask the first part to show the client how they will behave in the future (especially in the next 3–5 weeks). Conduct an ecological check and future pacing.

Key Points of the Technique

The main purpose of the technique is to dissociate the person from the troubling behavior. Remember the basic NLP presupposition: “Every behavior has a positive intention.” The essence of the technique is to change the behavior while preserving the positive intention.

This is why the metaphor of personality parts is used. It is convenient that a part, not the whole personality, is responsible for the behavior. This allows for a dialogue between parts, during which the client often enters a light trance. This trance state is desirable, as it enables unexpected insights by partially bypassing conscious control. Deepening self-reflection and identifying different parts—first the problematic one, then the creative one, then others—helps the process. Therefore, trance should be encouraged.

Simple ways to encourage trance include: not seeking eye contact with the client (looking away), speaking clearly but at a measured pace, using the client’s words and expressions, pausing in speech, and minimizing gestures. Most importantly, the idea of six-step reframing is to preserve the positive intention (the person’s belief) and, based on it, transform the behavior. This maintains the level of beliefs and values while changing the level of abilities and possibilities.