Book Review - RESOLVE: A New Therapy Model by Richard Bolstad

Book Review - RESOLVE: A New Therapy Model by Richard Bolstad

Copyright: 2002

Publisher: Crown House Publishing

Richard Bolstad's bookRESOLVED: A new therapy modelis excellent on several levels and is recommended for anyone interested in advancing the science of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), or the use of NLP is a psychotherapeutic practice. Research findings, ideas from other NLP developers, and non-NLP change models are referenced extensively. This is not a book about NLP "pyrotechnics"(his term), rather it is integrative and practical. Bolstad makes connections between NLP and other models of psychotherapy. He presents a perspective on the usefulness of NLP as an explanatory model, as NLP concepts are useful in explaining what therapist comes from many orientations do. BeingDETERMINATIONThe model is essentially a well-articulated synthesis of the use of NLP in the context of an NLP-informed psychotherapy model.

The book offers a historical perspective on NLP and psychotherapy. Bolstad points out that the roots and assumptions of NLP have connections to other forms of psychotherapy. He dedicates a chapter that provides a clear, science-based connection between NLP and how the brain works. Bolstad discusses various aspects of the model (representational systems, submodalities, emotional states, etc.) and relates these to what has been learned about neurological functions in recent years. For example, his discussion of the state-dependent properties of neural coding and their implications for intervention was fascinating.

Bolstad points out that research into NLP is still needed to make it more useful for psychotherapists. He notes that from the earliest NLP writings this need was recognized, "but it took 20 years before the field of NLP itself began to respond effectively to this need." He describes several studies published in the last decade that examined the use of NLP in psychotherapy and found positive results. However, research showing that NLP is “generally” successful has not been enough to draw much attention to it among psychotherapists. He also notes that since NLP began, few attempts have been made to link NLP techniques with those used in other models of psychotherapy, with one notable exceptionPractical Magic: A Translation of Basic Neurolinguistic Programming into Clinical Psychotherapyby Stephen Lankton, published in 1980. Bolstad notes that it has been more than 20 years since Lankton's book and "both NLP and psychotherapy have evolved." It is clear that Bolstad believes that more attention needs to be paid to the use of NLP in psychotherapy. A key achievement of this book is to systematically examine how NLP fits into psychotherapy as it is practiced today. Among other things, he advocates incorporating NLP interventions in the context of the therapist's preferred modality in order to accelerate the achievement of many specific results.

In my estimation, one of the critical points Bolstad makes relates to what kind of information constitutes data that supports the validity of NLP as a change technology. While he advocates for more clinical research, he also claims, "Because much of NLP is a metadiscipline (a method of analyzing and describing other disciplines), research conducted in these other disciplines will often validate NLP hypotheses (page 6)." This seems to be a recurring theme as he draws parallels between the various therapeutic modalities, many of which have more direct empirical support (than NLP per se), and the NLP interventions that use similar processes. just described with different terminology.

In chapter three,Choices for changeHe claims that most therapeutic modalities have a variant of the techniques of NLP interventions. Bolstad divides NLP interventions into 10 general categories: anchoring, installing new strategies, changing submodalities, trance work, parts integration, timeline changes, linguistic reframing, changing interpersonal dynamics, changing physiological contexts and tasks. He gives examples of the use of these types of interventions and then describes how these processes are evident in other models of psychotherapy. This part of the book was both provocative and inclusive and left me wanting more of this useful style of analysis. It highlighted how change work can be understood from different modalities using NLP as an explanatory model. This book shows what many therapists who use NLP already know. “NLP” shows up in what therapists do, whether they call it NLP or not. It provides information to help therapists trained in other systems recognize “NLP” in their activities.

Chapter four, the last major section of the book, presents theDETERMINATIONModel. The model is an NLP-informed framework for the process of psychotherapy. Although the core ideas (such as prerequisites) and skills (such as relationship building skills) come from NLP, it is clear how useful his model would be to therapists, even if they do not use NLP change processes per se.DETERMINATIONis an acronym where each letter corresponds to a part of the model. The letters denote the following: “R” denotes theImaginative conditionThe therapist should generate within himself in order to work most effectively with the client. “E” meansBuild relationship.“S” isSpecify the result,noting that establishing a well-formed outcome is a key NLP requirement for change work. “O” isOpen up [the client’s] model of the world. In a sense, this is an intervention, but also a preparatory task to test their commitment to change. “L” is in the RESOLVE modelLead to the desired state.This is a specific change intervention or process intended to achieve the specified result. “V” isCheck the change. “E” isEcological exit. He discusses each component of the model in detail and continues to make connections and place his ideas in the context of the broader field of psychotherapy. The concepts that Bolstad explained and explored were also very useful, practical and compelling.

In the book, Bolstad also makes some points that distinguish NLP techniques from a broader view of NLP in the context of psychotherapy. For example, he points out that the techniques of NLP are not simply tools to be used; They are tools where context must be most effective. In particular, he notes that "for a person new to NLP, it is tempting to think of 'leading' as the actual NLP change process. In fact, each step of the RESOLVE model is equally important in achieving change. The steps overlap and reinforce each other, forming a system that dramatically increases the chances of success."

Another point he discusses is that a common criticism of NLP and psychotherapy is that NLP does not understand the importance of the therapeutic relationship. Bolstad argues that, on the contrary, NLP psychotherapy has its basis in a new and innovative design of this relationship. It is more “educational and advisory” than therapeutic in the traditional sense. He believes that the NLP practitioner's structuring of this relationship is one of NLP's most original contributions to therapeutic theory. He points out how important this relationship is in promoting the effectiveness of the change processes themselves.

Overall, this book is impressive. Bolstad's RESOLVE model is one way to formulate the integration of NLP into psychotherapy, and it is very well done. His supporting quotes and arguments are equally valuable. It is essentially structured as a textbook with numerous references. He states in his introductory chapter that if you want to know what you're doing, as opposed to just an introduction to NLP, "this book will give you those additional pieces." The book delivers on this promise. It contains a lot of useful information, explanations and ideas that need to be taken into account. Psychotherapists, NLP practitioners and trainers, and researchers must read this book.

Alternative practitioner psychotherapy

The best place to find alternative practitioners psychotherapy is in our free alternative practitioner directory. To view all alternative psychotherapy practitioners, please click here.