The Lightning Process (LP) is a three-day training programme created by Dr Phil Parker that teaches people to use the connection between the brain and body to influence their own health. Using language, gentle movement, mental rehearsal and self-coaching tools, it aims to help people interrupt stuck stress responses in the nervous system and build healthier patterns.
Last updated: 30 October 2026
Reading time: about 15 minutes
How we wrote this guide: this guide was written by Saj Ali. Every research claim below links to the original study, its DOI or an official record.
Quick answer: what is the Lightning Process?
- It is a training programme, not a therapy. The LP describes itself as a practical training programme that teaches skills using the brain–body connection (Lightning Process).
- It runs over three half-days. The seminar takes place over three consecutive half-days of 3–5 hours, online or in person, in a small group or one to one (Lightning Process).
- It was designed by an osteopath. Phil Parker drew on osteopathy, hypnotherapy, NLP and coaching when he developed the LP in the late 1990s (Phil Parker).
- A randomised trial found benefits. In an NHS and University of Bristol trial, adolescents with mild or moderate CFS/ME who had the LP plus specialist care had better physical function at 6 and 12 months (Crawley et al., 2018).
- Over 75,000 people have taken it. The LP reports that more than 75,000 people have taken the course, with practitioners in 16 countries (Phil Parker).
Contents
- What Is the Lightning Process?
- Where the Lightning Process Came From
- How the Lightning Process Works
- How to Get Started with the Lightning Process
- What People Use the Lightning Process For
- What the Research Shows
- What Happens on the Course
- Is the Lightning Process Right for You?
- Getting the Most from the Lightning Process
- Watch, Listen and Follow
- Frequently Asked Questions About The Lightning Process
- Key Takeaways
- Explore More on Self Help Supermarket
- Sources
What Is the Lightning Process?
The Phil Parker Lightning Process is a short training course that teaches a set of skills for influencing your health through the brain–body connection. It describes itself as “a practical training programme – not a therapy, not a talking cure, not a medication” (Lightning Process).
The idea at its heart is that when someone has been unwell or stressed for a long time, the nervous system can get stuck on high alert. The LP calls this the Physical Emergency Response (PER), the body’s “fight or flight” system. The course teaches tools to recognise this response, interrupt it and switch on pathways that support health, drawing on the brain’s ability to change through practice, known as neuroplasticity (Lightning Process).
The Lightning Process at a Glance
| Created by | Dr Phil Parker, osteopath (now retired), therapist, coach and researcher |
| Founded | 1999, after research in the late 1990s |
| Format | Three consecutive half-days (3–5 hours each), online or in person |
| Taught by | Registered LP practitioners in 16 countries |
| Core tools | Language, gentle movement, posture, mental rehearsal and self-coaching |
| Typical cost | About $1,200 (£900) for the full programme in the UK |
Details are from Lightning Process and Phil Parker.
Where the Lightning Process Came From
In the 1980s and 1990s, Phil Parker worked extensively with people who had chronic health problems. His training as an osteopath helped many of them, and he went on to train in hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, NLP and coaching to address the emotional side of health. Even so, he found some people did not respond to anything he or his colleagues offered (Phil Parker).
In the late 1990s he started a research project, interviewing people who had not responded to other approaches about everything from diet and exercise to beliefs, language and family life. The LP gradually took shape from this inquiry (Phil Parker). Parker has also said his interest in the mind–body connection began when he used it in his own recovery from a serious hand injury.
At first Parker ran every seminar himself. As demand grew, he trained a register of practitioners, and the LP is now taught in 16 countries across five continents. Parker later completed a PhD in the Psychology of Health at London Metropolitan University and continues to research the approach (Phil Parker). His book An Introduction to the Lightning Process is published by Hay House.
How the Lightning Process Works
1. The Physical Emergency Response
The LP teaches that illness, stress or life events can leave the body’s emergency system switched on for months or years. It links this to allostatic load, the wear and tear that builds up when stress responses stay active, affecting sleep, immunity, healing and energy (Lightning Process).
2. Noticing the pattern
Participants learn to spot the moments when their nervous system is working against them. Recognising a pattern is the first step to changing it.
3. Interrupting the loop
Using a combination of words, posture, movement and mental rehearsal, participants practise interrupting the stress loop in the moment (Lightning Process).
4. Building new pathways
With repetition, the tools are designed to strengthen healthier patterns. The LP describes this as neuroplasticity in action, the brain rewiring itself through new patterns of thought and behaviour (Lightning Process).
The role of language
Language is central to the LP. Participants explore how the way they talk about themselves and their health affects how they feel. Research on putting feelings into words supports the idea that language can shape our emotional responses: labelling emotions has been shown to reduce activity in the amygdala, a brain region involved in emotional reactions (Lieberman et al., 2007).
How to Get Started with the Lightning Process
The LP is taught by registered practitioners rather than learned from a book alone. These are the steps described on the official Lightning Process website.
- Listen to the Part 1 audio. Start with the interactive home-study audio, which lasts around four hours. It explains the ideas behind the LP and helps you decide whether the approach feels right for you.
- Reflect on your goals. Write down what you would like to change, whether that is energy, pain, anxiety or getting back to activities you love.
- Choose a registered practitioner. Pick a practitioner from the official register. Every registered practitioner completes at least 13 months of training with the Phil Parker Training Institute.
- Have a conversation first. Talk to your practitioner about your situation, the format (online or in person, group or one to one) and any questions you have.
- Take the three-day seminar. Attend three consecutive half-day sessions. You will learn how words, movement and mental rehearsal affect brain pathways, and practise posture exercises, gestures and self-coaching tools.
- Practise between sessions. Use the tools in everyday situations between and after the seminar days, so they become natural.
- Use your follow-up support. Your practitioner offers three hours of post-course support to help you embed the tools in daily life.
- Build up gradually. Return to activities step by step and keep using the tools as you move into the next chapter.
Keep in touch with your doctor or care team while you take the LP, as you would with any new approach to your health. The official trial studied the LP alongside specialist medical care.
What People Use the Lightning Process For
The LP is used for a wide range of goals. Its website mentions research into Long Covid, CFS/ME, chronic pain, fibromyalgia and anxiety, among other conditions (Lightning Process).
- Energy and fatigue. Fatigue is the most widely studied area. See energy and fatigue.
- Pain. Some people use the LP alongside their pain care. See pain relief, fibromyalgia and back and neck pain.
- Anxiety and stress. The tools are designed to calm stress responses. See anxiety, stress management and panic attacks.
- Low mood. Studies have measured changes in depression scores. See depression.
- Confidence and performance. Parker has worked with athletes, including the British Olympic team (Phil Parker). See self-confidence.
- Sleep. Calming the nervous system can support better rest. See sleep.
What the Research Shows
The SMILE randomised trial
The best-known study of the LP is the SMILE trial, run by the University of Bristol with an NHS specialist paediatric CFS/ME service. One hundred young people aged 12 to 18 with mild or moderate CFS/ME were randomly assigned to specialist medical care alone or specialist medical care plus the LP (Crawley et al., 2018).
- At 6 months, physical function was better in the LP group, with an adjusted difference of 12.5 points on the SF-36 physical function scale.
- At 12 months, the difference grew to 15.1 points.
- Fatigue and anxiety were reduced at 6 months, and fatigue, anxiety, depression and school attendance had improved at 12 months.
- The authors concluded that the LP is effective and probably cost-effective when added to specialist care for mildly or moderately affected adolescents (Crawley et al., 2018).
A systematic review
A 2021 systematic review identified 14 studies of the LP, including quantitative studies, surveys and qualitative research. It found an emerging body of evidence supporting the LP for many participants with fatigue, physical function, pain, anxiety and depression, and called for more randomised trials (Parker et al., 2021). The review was co-authored by Phil Parker, who declared his interest as the LP’s originator.
Fatigue in young cancer survivors
A pilot study at the Norwegian Radium Hospital in Oslo offered the LP to 13 adolescent and young adult cancer survivors with chronic fatigue. Fatigue scores fell significantly by three and six months, and most participants reported less fatigue and more energy. They found the theoretical rationale and the coping techniques especially helpful. The authors described the results as encouraging and recommended a larger controlled study (Fauske et al., 2021).
The studies at a glance
| Study | Who | Main finding |
|---|---|---|
| Crawley et al., 2018 | 100 adolescents with CFS/ME | Better physical function at 6 and 12 months with LP plus specialist care |
| Parker et al., 2021 | 14 studies | Emerging evidence for fatigue, function, pain, anxiety and depression |
| Fauske et al., 2021 | 13 young cancer survivors | Significant reduction in fatigue at 3 and 6 months |
What Happens on the Course
Before the seminar
Everyone begins with the Part 1 audio, around four hours long, which explains the science and helps you decide whether the approach suits you (Lightning Process). You then choose a registered practitioner and talk through your goals.
The three days
The seminar runs over three consecutive half-days of three to five hours each. Your practitioner uses stories, slides, discussion and practical exercises to help you apply the tools. You will practise simple posture exercises, gestures and self-coaching techniques, and learn how words, movement and mental rehearsal affect your brain pathways (Lightning Process).
After the seminar
Practitioners provide three hours of post-course support to help you embed the tools in daily life (Lightning Process). Many people find this is when the changes really take hold, as they use the tools in real situations.
Who teaches it
Registered LP practitioners complete at least 13 months of intensive training with the Phil Parker Training Institute, pass written and practical exams, commit to ongoing professional development and supervision, and work within a code of conduct. The register includes medical doctors and other healthcare professionals (Lightning Process).
Cost
The LP is not currently available on the NHS and is funded privately. In the UK, the average cost of the full programme, including materials, an audio support programme and post-course support, is around $1,200 (£900). Many practitioners offer discounted places for people in financial difficulty (Lightning Process). Prices in other countries vary.
Is the Lightning Process Right for You?
The LP is designed so you can make an informed choice before committing. The Part 1 audio exists precisely to help you decide whether the approach feels right (Lightning Process). These questions can help you reflect.
- Are you curious about the brain–body connection? The LP works best when you are open to the idea that the way you think, speak and move can influence how your body responds.
- Are you ready to be an active participant? The LP is a training rather than a treatment, so you learn and practise the tools yourself.
- Can you set aside three half-days? The seminar runs on consecutive days, so plan a calm period with space to rest and practise.
- Would you prefer a group or one-to-one setting? Practitioners offer both, online and in person.
- Do you have support around you? Family and friends who understand what you are doing can make it easier to keep practising.
Questions to ask a practitioner
- How long have you been a registered LP practitioner?
- Do you have experience with goals like mine?
- Do you run the seminar online, in person or both?
- What does your post-course support include, and how do I book it?
- Do you offer discounted places?
Many practitioners have healthcare backgrounds themselves, and a short conversation before you book helps you feel confident about your choice.
Getting the Most from the Lightning Process
- Take your time with the audio. It is designed to help you decide if the LP is right for you, so listen with an open mind.
- Choose a practitioner you feel comfortable with. A good rapport makes it easier to ask questions and practise.
- Be clear about your goals. Knowing what you want to change helps your practitioner tailor the course.
- Practise little and often. New patterns grow with repetition.
- Use your support hours. Follow-up support helps you apply the tools in everyday life.
- Pace your return to activities. Build up steadily rather than doing everything at once.
- Keep your care team informed. The research studied the LP alongside medical care.
The Lightning Process vs NLP vs CBT
| Lightning Process | NLP | CBT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Three half-day seminar | Courses, coaching or sessions | Usually weekly sessions |
| Focus | Brain–body stress responses and health | Language, beliefs and patterns | Thoughts, feelings and behaviour |
| Tools | Language, posture, movement, mental rehearsal | Anchoring, reframing, modelling | Thought records, behavioural experiments |
| Learn more | Lightning Process | NLP guide | CBT guide |
Other mind–body approaches you might explore include Havening, EFT tapping, Somatic Experiencing and Thought Field Therapy.
Watch, Listen and Follow
Hear Phil Parker explain the Lightning Process and what happens in the seminar, and listen to people talk about their experience.
Videos
- What is the Lightning Process- Dr Phil Parker – Dr. Phil Parker, PhD. Phil Parker introduces the Lightning Process.
- Lightning Process: What is it? How does it work? What is it useful for? – Dr. Phil Parker, PhD. What the LP is, how it works and what it is used for.
- What is the Lightning Process? – Dr. Phil Parker, PhD. A short overview of the LP.
- Lightning Process – what happens in the seminar? – Dr. Phil Parker, PhD. What happens during the three-day seminar.
- ‘An Introduction to the Lightning Process’ by Phil Parker – Hay House UK. Phil Parker introduces his Hay House book.
- Q&A with Lightning Process creator Dr. Phil Parker: Use Your Brain to Help Your Body Heal – Heal with Liz. A question-and-answer session with Phil Parker.
- Phil Parker, of The Lightning Process, Explains How Healing Is Possible with Brain Retraining – The Chronic Comeback. Phil Parker on brain retraining and recovery.
- Lauren Stoney on how the Lightning Process works – Lauren Stoney. A practitioner explains how the LP works.
- Lightning Process- what’s it like? ME/CFS video diary – Dr. Phil Parker, PhD. A personal video diary of taking the LP.
Books
- An Introduction to the Lightning Process – Phil Parker (Hay House). An accessible guide to the ideas behind the LP.
Official websites
- Lightning Process – how the LP works, the steps to take it and the practitioner register.
- Phil Parker – Phil Parker’s background, research and training.
Research
- Crawley et al., 2018 – the SMILE randomised controlled trial.
- Parker et al., 2021 – a systematic review of LP studies.
- Fauske et al., 2021 – a pilot study with young cancer survivors.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Lightning Process
What is the Lightning Process?
The Lightning Process is a three-day training programme created by Phil Parker that teaches people to use the brain–body connection to influence their health, using language, gentle movement, posture, mental rehearsal and self-coaching tools.
Who created the Lightning Process?
Dr Phil Parker, a former osteopath who also trained in hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, NLP and coaching, developed the LP in the late 1990s. He later completed a PhD in the Psychology of Health.
How long does the Lightning Process take?
The seminar runs over three consecutive half-days of 3–5 hours each. It is preceded by an introductory audio of about four hours and followed by three hours of post-course support.
Does the Lightning Process work?
In the SMILE randomised trial, adolescents with mild or moderate CFS/ME who received the LP plus specialist medical care had better physical function at 6 and 12 months than those receiving specialist care alone. A systematic review found emerging evidence for fatigue, pain, anxiety and depression.
How much does the Lightning Process cost?
In the UK, the average cost of the full programme is around $1,200 (£900), including materials, audio support and post-course support. Some practitioners offer discounted places.
Can I do the Lightning Process online?
Yes. The seminar can be taken online or in person, in a small group or one to one, with a registered practitioner.
Is the Lightning Process the same as NLP?
No, although Phil Parker drew on NLP, coaching, hypnotherapy and osteopathy when designing it. The LP is its own structured programme focused on the brain–body connection and health.
Key Takeaways
- The Lightning Process is a three-day mind–body training programme created by Phil Parker.
- It teaches tools to interrupt stuck stress responses and build healthier patterns.
- The seminar runs over three half-days, online or in person, with a registered practitioner.
- The SMILE trial found better physical function at 6 and 12 months when the LP was added to specialist care.
- A systematic review found emerging evidence for fatigue, pain, anxiety and depression.
- In the UK the full programme costs around $1,200 (£900).
Explore More on Self Help Supermarket
Use these guides alongside this one:
- NLP – language and change
- CBT – thoughts and behaviour
- Havening – calm the nervous system
- Somatic Experiencing – body-based healing
- EFT tapping – tapping for stress
- Hypnosis – the power of suggestion
- Relaxation – calm body and mind
- Energy and fatigue – restore your energy
- Pain relief – natural approaches
- Fibromyalgia – self-help options
- Anxiety – feel calmer
- Stress management – reduce stress
- Sleep – rest better
- Browse all self-help techniques – compare every method on Self Help Supermarket.
Sources
- Crawley, E. M., Gaunt, D. M., Garfield, K., et al. (2018). Clinical and cost-effectiveness of the Lightning Process in addition to specialist medical care for paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome: Randomised controlled trial. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 103(2), 155–164. A correction was published in 2019. https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2017-313375
- Parker, P., Aston, J., & de Rijk, L. (2021). A systematic review of the evidence base for the Lightning Process. Explore, 17(4), 372–379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2020.07.014
- Fauske, L., Bruland, Ø. S., Dahl, A. A., Myklebostad, A., & Reme, S. E. (2021). Does the Lightning Process training programme reduce chronic fatigue in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors? A mixed-methods pilot study. Cancers, 13(16), 4076. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13164076
- Lieberman, M. D., Eisenberger, N. I., Crockett, M. J., et al. (2007). Putting feelings into words: Affect labeling disrupts amygdala activity in response to affective stimuli. Psychological Science, 18(5), 421–428. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2007.01916.x
- The Lightning Process. What is the Lightning Process? https://www.lightningprocess.com/what-is-the-lightning-process/
- Phil Parker. Phil as the designer of the Lightning Process. https://www.philparker.org/about-phil-2/designer-of-the-lightning-process/
Self Help Supermarket guides are for general information and are not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.
