Resolve: A New Model of Therapy [Kindle Edition]

I am a Clinical Psychologist (Ph.D). I have used NLP as a component of what I do as a psychotherapist for many years. I think this book is excellent on several levels. It is an NLP book, but it is more than that. It comes from an NLP perspective and does very well explaining and synthesizing the use of the NLP in the context of psychotherapy. What is unique about the book is that it links NLP techniques with the models used by other forms of therapy. Further it sites research, gives quality examples, and makes connections between several diverse approaches.

First the book provides a useful discussion of how NLP relates to neurology. It discusses several aspects of the model (representational, systems, submodalities, emotional states, etc.) and relates it how the brain functions. A discussion of the state-dependent qualities of neural encoding and the implications of this for intervention was fascinating. I have read many NLP books and Dr. Bolstad's presentation of this material was the clearest, most science based, linkage between NLP and how the brain functions that I have read.

The next section of the book categorizes NLP interventions into ten categories (such as anchoring, tasking, and linguistic reframing etc.) and goes through each, gives a case example, and then describes how these processes are evident in other models of psychotherapy. This section left me wanting more, as it was both provocative and integrative.

The last major section of the book presents the RESOLVE model, which is essentially a brief solution focused psychotherapy approach, informed by NLP propositions (and presuppositions). Because of the ideas the author chooses to explain and explore this was much more than his slant on brief therapy. For instance he describes a Personal Strengths model, relating NLP terms to Jung's model of personality! The implications of his model to choosing the appropriate interventions are very useful and compelling.

In sum this book impressed me. It is packed with useful information, explanation, and ideas to consider. It is extensively referenced, citing research, other NLP developers' ideas, and indeed non-NLP models of change. This is not a book focused on NLP "pyrotechnics" (his term), rather it is integrative and practical. It notes that NLP frames are useful for explaining what therapist from many orientations do, while respecting what others do. Psychotherapist, NLP practitioners and trainers, and researchers should read this book. I recommend it very highly.

Dr. Bolstad presents his model, RESOLVE (NLP based), along with an interesting explanation of the different views other therapy methods. I am in an basic NLP knowledge level so it was very clarifying for me. And, I think, it could be for other people in my level

Bolstad did a great job by combining NLP standard explanation with scientific explanation. Good start for psychotherapist and everyone who interested in deepening their understanding of NLP change model.