Judy Rees and Wendy Sullivan present the material in a logical & easily understood way.
Over many years of attending university, reading thousands of books & participating in dozens of seminars, for me there is one thing that stands out.
When you run into someone who truly knows their subject, they present it simply!

This is a -˜how to' book which sets out a way to explore how people in both therapy and in everyday life communicate in metaphor, and to understand what they are really saying. According to the authors, using Clean language avoids leading questions or incorrect assumptions, and can “help people to make changes they would like in their lives” and “improve communication, understanding and rapport”. The book takes the reader through a series of well presented clear explanations, illustrations and verbal examples of metaphor, and transcripts from case studies. Each chapter has an Activity section with practical exercises for the reader to do either at home or with friends, encouraging the reader to use the Clean framework within which to engage in change-enhancing communication. The book will thus be useful not only to professionals but also to parents and teachers.

As the authors say, “metaphor is at the heart of the Clean way of thinking”. Sullivan and Rees set out an interviewing scheme for therapists based on asking specific Clean Language questions and then working with whatever metaphors are revealed by the client. Clinical professionals in psychotherapy or hypnotherapy will recognise many of the structured questions as ones they already use to facilitate change, and will be familiar with the use of metaphor as a therapeutic agent. However, the Clean Language structure offers a simple and logical way to conduct the therapeutic session. There are 12 basic Clean Language Questions which are structured open questions, grouped as -˜Developing', -˜Sequence and Source' and -˜Intention' questions. These are then further subdivided into Specialised Clean Language Questions in a way that will help practitioners plan their sessions with clients in a logical and productive fashion. This book is easy to read and the illustrations are witty and entertaining.

Clean Language is one of the most fundamental and important tools available in NLP and coaching. This book stands out for the clarity of its explanations and makes Clean Language common sense. This book is to be used as the communicator's bible.

What a relief, after reading the book featured in the previous review, to be able to move on to something as well-writing, as coherently organised, and as generally competent as Clean Language by Sullivan and Rees. I couldn't imagine a much more thorough-going contrast.

Some purists may wonder why I've included books on Clean Language in these reviews (see also Metaphors in Mind, Lawley and Tompkins). And the answer is, “For the same reason that I've included books like Lakoff and Johnson's book Metaphors We Live By. That is, because whilst these books aren't directly about NLP, they contain a great deal of information which it is useful for NLPers to know in order to enhance their NLP skills.

In the case of Clean Language (the book), the usefulness is particularly evident in chapters 3 and 7 - The Magic of Metaphor and Modelling Cleanly, respectively. It is certainly true that the ideas in this book are, as you might expect, to some extent out of sync with those of NLP. On the subject of modelling, for example, there is a clear intention in both approaches to keep the modeller's ideas, values, opinions, etc. out of the way of the modellee's processing. But whereas in NLP this is achieved (as far as possible) by collecting information at a subconscious level with no conscious evaluation of the model until the modelling process is complete, in clean languaging (if that is the right term) the whole process is conducted at a conscious level, but the facilitator's thoughts are kept out of the developing model, as far as possible, by only feeding back to the modeller/modellee (they are the same person) their own words. Done correctly, the facilitator excludes from their feedback questions all interpretation or paraphrasing of the modeller's words, hence the term “clean” language.

A further, and very important, aspect of this comparison is the difference between the two intended outcomes.
In NLP, the modeller is usually building a model to facilitate a transfer of skills between the modellee and one or more other people. In clean languaging the primary purpose, again if I have understood the process correctly, is to guide the modellee in their construction of an entirely personal metaphor from which they will gain information which will help them to better understand their own personality, behaviour, world-view, or whatever.

Obviously where there are differences in approach these can be largely attributed to the differences in the underlying intentions.

Back to this particular book, I've been wondering if there is any way that the authors could have given it greater appeal to a diverse audience. And I don't really see how they could.

I found the writing clear without over-simplification; there are plenty of script fragments illustrating various points; and plenty of “Activities” so that readers can immediately practise and apply what they have been reading about.

There are also numerous cartoons, some of them little more than thumbnail sketches which reflect the words of a subheading and help (for the benefit of the more visually-inclined) to break up what might otherwise be an overwhelming flood of words. Others, such as the cartoon on page 148, clarify the meaning of the surrounding text in a way that will save some readers (including me) from having to read the text two or three time to be sure of getting the right message.

Finally, as far as this review is concerned, I was much impressed by the obvious expertise of the two authors. This came across, for me, in little comments which may read common sense, but which are only likely to have come from personal experience, such as this comment on page 88:

“And remember that when working Cleanly, it's not the facilitator's job to make change happen. Any Change that occurs comes from within the client and happens at the client's own pace, so that it fits them perfectly.”

That's just one of the many things I enjoyed about reading this book, and why I've rated it:

Highly Recommended: * * * * * *

Metaphors are woven so deeply and so commonly into the fabric of our spoken communication that we hardly notice how rich and patterned they are. Yet these metaphors carry within them the very strands of our deepest thoughts and feelings about the world and our relationship to it. If we follow the threads that our metaphors point us towards, if we take time to tease out and untangle their meaning and significance, then we discover a royal road to a deeper understanding or ourselves and others. The individual metaphors we each use offer the most extraordinary insights into our deepest and most hidden meaning making processes; they reveal with extraordinary vividness and texture just how we unconsciously design and construct our “reality.'

In their practical, hands-on, easy-to-read book, Clean Language, Wendy Sullivan and Judy Rees have done an exceptional job in showing just how to tease out and reveal the metaphors we live by and how to change, consolidate, develop, or transform them as we might wish. They reveal, in an easy-to-grasp, step-by-step approach, how working with, revealing, and consciously shaping, our metaphors can easily and effortlessly transform our lives.

In doing so they have taken the Clean Language and Clean Change ideas of David Grove, James Lawley, and Penny Tompkins, and created a powerful guide that makes this work both highly accessible and more mainstream. And it is written in a way that will benefit and attract both the beginner and the more advanced user.

I particularly appreciated the authors' generosity in sharing so much of the process, as well as their integrity and enthusiasm. The activities are well thought out and useful and the examples and case histories offer a clear indication of the many possible applications of Clean over a wide variety of contexts.

Above all, I was taken by the aikido of the process: the way Clean works with the inner energy and natural strategies of the client without force or effort; the artistry and skill of the facilitator is in simply staying clean and attentive to the client's world and outcomes.

The Clean Language process is powerful and artful precisely because it works with people the way they naturally are. It works because it recognises that each individual is a uniquely integrated system that is both deeply wise and elegantly self-organising rather than a collection of parts to be fixed. It works because it offers deep sustainable change, and because ” ultimately - all our stories, and all our metaphors, come true.

Wendy Sullivan and Judy Rees had done a valuable service in bringing practical and accessible learning to Clean Language. Having been invited by the founder of 'Clean', David Grove to Auckland, NZ., I was exposed to his genius. Like others before me, most notably, authors Penny Tompkins and James Lawley (who made Clean Language accessible to others), I became increasingly hooked on David's thinking and methods. It is easy to understand why Sullivan and Rees became similarly addicted and why their journeys have brought them to offer us such a valuable book.

There is a gap between seeing and experiencing masterful facilitation using Clean Language and reading about it. A reader without this access must therefore trust that “Clean' can and does deliver extraordinary awareness and positive change ” and it does. The book must appeal to newcomers to “Clean' and the thoughtful evolution of the text, rich in examples, explanations, re-iteration of key learnings and activities make it a delightful journey.

From a quality standpoint, Clean Language offers the prospect of a higher and more consistent level of practitioner professionalism than most alternative awareness and change-methodologies including coaching. These two factors, impact and professional standard must ensure that the developmental journey of “Clean' will continue wide and deep. Sullivan and Rees have contributed a worthy book to help that valuable journey on its way. I commend this book.

I've just started reading this gem of a book for the second time, and keep finding new meanings which further enrich my understanding and use of Clean Language. In many ways, it changes the way we think about the way people think and use language, which results in a much richer understanding of what constitutes effective communication. I came across the concept of Clean Language about a year ago when reading the fascinating book -˜Metaphors in Mind: Transformation through Symbolic Modelling.' It instantly captured my interest, and I have been practising and applying Clean Language ever since.

However, I still had many unanswered questions which I felt limited my understanding of and confidence in using Clean Language. When I heard this book was about to be released, I instantly ordered it. It exceeded my expectations in many ways. Whereas Clean Language: Revealing Metaphors and Opening Minds deals with many of the same ideas as Metaphors in Mind, I found it to be both a great companion and an excellent work in itself which extends and refines many aspects of Clean Language. It contains a rich collection of exercises, real-life examples, tips, and background information which should satisfy newcomers as well as experienced users of Clean Language. It extends the scope for using Clean Language in a wide variety of contexts including counselling, training, teaching, management, parenting, relationships, research, and many others.

The book manages to effectively weave together the basics as well as more advanced aspects of Clean Language. As a relative newcomer, I especially liked the many exercises which allow the reader to first develop and gain confidence in using the basics of Clean Language before moving on to more advanced techniques. The Frequently Asked Questions chapter provides some excellent down-to-earth tips and explanations which greatly help any newcomer dealing with relevant issues and skills such as memory strategies, dealing with information overload, maintaining focus, and many others.

The techniques have helped me to support myself as well as friends and colleagues in gaining a deeper understanding of difficult situations they faced and in finding new ways to think and act effectively, often with surprising results. In fact, I find it increasingly difficult not to use any Clean Language within conversations, as once you become more familiar with the questions you start to understand their power in developing and maintaining positive relationships and gaining a deeper understanding for yourself and those around you.

Well that is going to put a stop to the odd curse uttered in the course of a day's work. This thought went through my mind when I first saw the title of the latest book to cross my desk for review but on closer inspection I was reassured to note that its content is essentially about questioning techniques used historically in psychotherapy and coaching scenarios.

The two authors attempt to break down the concept of clean language' in order- for the practice to he used within the workplace that, according to one person converted to its use, finds it an -˜amazingly powerful toot [that) could transform the way we interact'.

This revelation made me a touch suspicious about the effects of what clean language can do for a person or organisation so I set about reading the book with a touch of cynicism.

In the early stages this feeling was easily put aside due to the fairly routine and somewhat innocuous description given to the concept of clean language which. in basic terms, is about offering comments or interpretations of a situation devoid of any personal inferences or influences.

Confused ... well so was I to start with to be honest as it is not the easiest subject to get your head around but by pushing on further into the book, things started to make more sense.

The link to the workplace and how clean language can be applied is really linked to the times [and we have all been there, deny it not!) when something has been said or done that has completely the opposite effect of what was intended.

A look, a sigh, raised eyes or a throwaway comment made, sometimes in the heat of the moment, Leads down a path from which there seems no reversal but by opting for the clean language route, these types of situations can be avoided, as per the theory expounded by Sullivan and Rees.

The duo attempt. a little clumsily at times in my opinion, to rationalise the use of clean language in all dealings by [inking it to the continua[ use of metaphors that people routinely use when communicating, This critical part of the clean language equation is Linked to the individual's own perceptions about what they are trying to say and how they are conveying a particular message whether it be in verbal or written form and also taking into account people's behaviours.

These points are what needs to tackled in order for clean language to become the norm and as a result of some clever writing, the authors succeed in breaking the subject right down to grass roots level by, for instance, outlining the times when and when not to use clean language.

Despite the book having a new age feel to it in places, the basics are there as to how to ensure the way that we communicate is as we mean it to be. One part of the book focuses or) how to have a -˜clean conversation structure' that, although a little utopian in nature, actually does make it easier to conduct such a dialogue so long as those involved are prepared to go through a series of mental dos and don'ts until the process becomes second nature.

The book abounds with activities to grasp what clear language means in practice including example transcripts of conversations, listening skills exercises, understanding how conversations work and the all important awareness of clean language's arch enemy - making assumptions.

Given that the tome's focus is on clarity of message, its focus is sometimes compromised by what I would term babble (how else could a chapter entitled -˜Attending Exquisitely' be described when it is simply about the art of concentration?]. This does not eclipse the fact though that the book does help open doors to a new way of thinking about how people's actions and what they say can be interpreted.

Written about a subject that first reared its head nearly thirty years ago, the book is definitely not for the faint hearted as the subject matter is heavy but there is an extremely strong underlying message that, if used in the right context, clean language car) be a powerful too.

The one warning I would sound though is that the too[ must be used carefully because in the wrong hands, to quote the label on the side of a dangerous implement, damage could ensue it not handled in the right manner!

Clean Language deserves to be a multi-purpose tool of choice in the kitbag of coach, facilitator and even salesperson; this excellent guide will show you how to use it effectively.

All coaches enjoy observing the effects of their questions, on the thinking and state of mind of their clients. Some time ago I started wondering how, in my questions, I might be applying my own assumptions to limit unwittingly the freedom of my clients to reframe their issues and outcomes for themselves. The desire to work with an individual without contaminating their mental landscape with features from my own has led me to David Grove's Clean Language. Sullivan and Rees have done a great service in producing this excellent and long overdue introduction to it.

They describe how Clean Language works and why, taking the reader through the different types of Clean questions and their effects. As a frame for this they emphasise the importance of listening exquisitely, which while true of all coaching, is especially important in using Clean with its exacting concentration on and use of the client's own, un-paraphrased language. They bring out the key concept in Clean of closely directing the client's attention to the emerging elements of their narrative, quite a different perspective to the more elaborate and interpretative questioning generally found in coaching conversations.

Modelling with Clean explicitly uses metaphor because an individual's metaphors replicate the structure and qualities of their experience. As more of the individual's unconscious metaphoric world comes into their awareness, new metaphors and new information emerge towards a resolution of their problem or achievement of their desired outcome. Sullivan and Rees place working with metaphor at the centre of their book, showing how we achieve an understanding of our experience, indeed how we conceptualise out of the sensory data we constantly receive, not just through metaphor but in metaphor. Their central point here is that when an individual's metaphor changes, through the artful simplicity of Clean questioning, so does their experience.

The authors also show the importance of the space in which the Clean conversation takes place and of the client's gestures, on the basis that we embody our metaphors in the space inside and around us. A particularly interesting distinguishing mark of Clean is how the facilitator uses space and the client's non-verbal communications, the distinction here being that when the coach is symbolically modelling through metaphor with Clean Language, they build rapport with the client's information and its location, as much as if not more than with the client, in order to facilitate the client to model themselves.

Sullivan & Rees achieve the difficult task of presenting a clear pathway into their subject for those new to it, while offering useful reinforcement and a helpful reference for others who have some experience of using Clean. They balance enthusiasm with pragmatism and give us a practical guide for the curious that includes exercises that can be undertaken by the reader themselves and with a partner, and which can be adapted for use in coaching and with groups. They rightly acknowledge the challenge in using Clean in coaching and a need to adapt the strict syntax of Clean questioning to achieve a more natural conversational style in the coaching session.

If you want to increase your ability to work with your clients and not get in their way, so that they can achieve their own more deeply embedded change; if you are familiar with NLP and want to explore a related but fascinatingly different perspective on modelling; and to know more about the use of language and metaphor in coding and creating our experience, you will find this book an invaluable companion.

I had been waiting the publication of this book with an excitement and expectation reminiscent of when I was a child awaiting a much wanted Christmas present, hoping that Father Christmas would come through with just what I wanted. I wasn't disappointed.

I had hoped for a book that would strengthen my fledgling knowledge of the basics of Symbolic Modelling and Clean Language. I got far more than that. This book encourages and enables the reader to hatch out into a new exciting world. It feeds, coaches and guides the reader to take to the sky and explore the wonders that -˜Clean' has to offer. It is an experience not to be missed.

Clean language is a simple yet amazing set of tools that is effective in unlocking a client's assumptions, communication, and thinking. This powerful process is a must for anyone involved in the coaching, managing or teaching profession.

Wendy and Judy are like “practical” angels inside our mind, they explain the importance of language. You can't not know how to listen to people, how to learn from listening to other's strategy, how to ask questions to your mind, how to discover your map of the word from your vocabulary. This book is clear, fun with deep strategies to make that fundamental step towards self comprehension, a tool for each of us and a little work book for teachers, parents, coaches.

Towards the end of 2006 I decided to sample one of Wendy Sullivan and Judy Rees' courses in `Clean Language'. Little did I know that this `taster' would develop into a deep fascination, the start of a journey of learning that continues to unfold. Already I find I can use `Clean' in coaching and mentoring, in supporting student learning in Higher Education, and as a research tool.

Until now, there has been only one book about `Clean Language', James Lawley and Penny Tompkins' excellent `Metaphors in Mind'. It is impossible, though, for a single volume to meet the needs of everyone who would like to learn about this exciting field (think of how many introductions to NLP are on the market!) so it is great to see Wendy and Judy increase the published literature by 100% at a stroke.

What Wendy and Judy provide in this volume reflects all the best qualities of their courses; clarity, practicality, fun and integrity, all presented in a way that is accessible, logically structured and great value. Phew. And with all that, it's something that should sell like what? Hot cakes, if you ask me.

In their excellent book, Clean Language: Revealing Metaphors and Opening Minds, Wendy Sullivan and Judy Rees give an in-depth yet highly accessible route-map for understanding the metaphorical nature of human perception, and for developing powerful skills for working in the domain of personal metaphor.

While I expected the subject to be covered in masterful detail, what I didn't anticipate was such a cogent and useful introduction to the role metaphors play in perception. Wendy and Judy present this material in a way that's easy to grasp, and pull together understandings and realisations that you would otherwise have to piece together from diverse sources.

Of course, the core of the book is the application of the clean language questions. There are numerous exercises for developing intuitions about what to ask when, and for what purpose. If you've been wondering about what “Clean” is and how you can use it, or you've already got some skills in this powerful domain, Wendy and Judy's book will provide you with new depths of insight, skill and effectiveness.

“And What Happens Next-¦.”? Forged from the brilliant and original ideas of David Grove, Wendy Sullivan and Judy Rees bring their own professional experiences to offer the reader thought provoking and invaluable information to challenge everyday beliefs, thoughts and decisions made in business and personal development.

So, in the world of Clean there's going to be a change, a BIG change. A Clean Change!

At the turn of the millennium, Penny and James with 'Metaphors in Mind' led us to the font of Clean. Now, in 2008 Wendy Sullivan and Judy Rees have given us the cup to drink from it!

This book is guaranteed to become THE place to start with Clean Language. I know that with this resource at hand, attendees at training courses and clients around the world will have at their fingertips the essentials to become effective and proficient in the theory and application of Clean Language.

Starting out with the basics and through simple, 'easy to swallow' activities the reader learns and experiences the nuances of this powerful technique. And as they continue to drink, the depth and level of understanding consumed through the pages of this book, they will of learnt how to facilitate themselves and others in changing their lives.

I would like to congratulate Wendy and Judy on a great piece of work! WELL DONE!

This book promises to transform the way we think about language and meaning. After reading Clean Language, the words and metaphor that seemed so throwaway yesterday become a vitally empowering tool for today, and tomorrow.

Ever since David Grove inspired others to use clean language in therapy, its uses in other disciplines have been evident. For many coaches, clean language is little more than a collection of 12 helpful and logical questions. Yet as Sullivan and Rees illustrate, it is much more a state of mindfulness. By purging his or her own language of content, metaphor or other baggage, the coach enables the client to explore and learn about their own inner worlds, to see and make choices and to reaffirm their own identity.

With the possible exception of the discussion on modelling, all of the guidance and technique in this book is “clean” in the sense that it is specific, unambiguous and encourages the reader to make their own meaning from the concepts rather than absorb the authors'. The book builds on the basic questions, showing how to adapt them in various situations and adding further techniques when required. The FAQ section is particularly helpful.

This book advances your ability to listen to yourself and others, using rapport at the heart of your practice. It will also help you get even better at facilitating others, using Clean Language to gain and maintain that rapport. You will be introduced to use 9 core questions which are used to reflect how a person experiences their lives, symbolically. Conversations become moderated with these stimulating questions and clients really enjoy listening to themselves.

People “love' products and people that echo themselves. They adore anything that reminds them of themselves. In fact, listening out for anything that strikes a chord, or rings a familiar bell, are the starting points of rapport.

The basis for NLP, which is the foundation for this body of work, is rapport. Rapport is one of the most important features or characteristics of unconscious human interaction. Within ourselves and between others. It is about commonality of perspective, being in “sync”, being on the same “wavelength” as the person with whom you are talking or within yourself. Anyone exposed to NLP learns that there are a number of techniques that are supposed to be beneficial in building rapport such as: matching your body Language (i.e., posture, gesture, and so forth); maintaining eye contact; and matching breathing rhythm. Sullivan and Rees now expose you to how eliciting a person's inner symbols, (may it be sound, a fragrance, a movement, a picture, and in what ever combination), is vital to intra rapport and internal health. By using Clean Language questions; you can then apply the benefits of rapport within oneself.

Sullivan and Rees shows how , the second part of rapport, i.e. leading a conversation, by using the relevant symbols, only happens once your listening ears have mirrored back to a person what their own metaphors are to themselves. Sullivan and Rees maximises your ability to amplify your own personal participation in your own symbols. It is this personal participation in the way your symbols are organised which provides you with the source power to shift your own personal momentum in and around a given topic.

Advisors in any capacity may enjoy this introductory book .This foundational text brings to you simple tips for examining the power of personal symbolary. A person remembers their private symbols much more clearly than any external advice you may offer. In fact any one involved in offering advice may recognise what's it like when you advice fails to be taken on board. You may be really caring, yet the advice is not taken. It is ignored, or uncared for. Clean Facilitators recognise that happens because their personal metaphor has not been connected to your advice. So Instead, Clean Facilitators use core open ended questioning which becomes their equipment and process. Through that they recognise and respect that the person knows the real solution within themselves. So Clean Facilitators recognise that advice is not always a useful way of assisting a person. Instead of advising, they use Clean questions, to help get to a symbolic blueprint or symbolic flowchart of the way the topic is organised. Using these questions, no issue is off limits. Imagine mapping out,' Allowing happiness' or “Allowing Good Things'. Or mapping out your own symbolic laws for “Allowing Peace, Unconditional Love, Generosity, Success, Enjoyment', and much more. -˜I don't know', responses, get answered, after using these special open ended questions. It's your personal wisdom, being remembered. Being re collected and put back together as a whole.

Personally, I call this work the “Honouring of the Twin flame'. As the practitioner and the client go about, mapping out the symbolic representation of an issue, any practitioner, who masters work, is privileged to open up another person's world and enter it if they are so invited. This book is so refreshing. It's like breathing fragrant air. Relaxing and allowing you to unfold a metaphor. Focusing on the personal laws and rules you must respect as set out in the metaphor are opened up and disclosed. You cannot skip this step of identifying the nature of the metaphor, which is indeed the internal organisational structure of a personal success contract.

Sullivan and Rees write in such an understandable manner that it becomes clear that enjoying the development of the symbol is truly fun. By experiencing the 9 Grovian Clean questions, a person engages in a personally meaningful, verification, and clarification process for themselves. Creating a space to learn how to handle the symbols they use for their own experience. Manipulation, or persuasion, is removed from the agenda. Instead, facilitators use these special open ended questions to remove their own contamination from someone else's world whilst respectfully making their inquiry into the person's metaphor

The work of Sullivan and Rees is really important for anyone who is responsible for appreciating what symbols, signify for groups of people. Marketers as well as educators, and healers may want to carefully work with the “easy to put into practice' material for “customer listening projects'.

Chapter after chapter, Sullivan and Rees offer an easy to implement set of activities, to help you to reinforce within yourself how to use these meaningful questions in lots of different situations. 16 brilliant chapters, identifying and examining your personal metaphor. They are: Getting Started, Great Questions, The Magic Of Metaphor, Attending Exquisitely, The Developing Questions, Sequence, Source And Initiation Questions, Modelling Cleanly, Transforming Metaphors, Maturing Changing, Putting It Together For Yourself, Directing Attention More Precisely, Beyond Words And Into Space, Frequently Asked Questions, What Else Can Clean Be Used For? Clean Success Stories, Next Steps

I really love this book. It's a gift book for any helper. I praise the 16 chapters of Clean Language. The book is so well constructed. So refreshingly clear to read. So it is with pleasure, that its comes highly recommended to others.