How to Resolve a Conflict: build bridges instead of battle lines
Reviewed By
Donna Bottomley - Psychotherapist, MBABCP accredited, 10+ years in CBT and EMDR
Conflict resolution is the art of finding peaceful ways to solve disagreements between people or groups. Think of it as bridge-building – creating a way for different sides to meet in the middle and find common ground.
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What does the How To Resolve A Conflict Mini Course cover?
How conflict escalates, the difference between positions and underlying needs, practical steps for calmer conversations, and how to reach solutions both sides can live with.
Who is this How To Resolve A Conflict Mini Course for?
Helpful if you:
🗣️ Find disagreements turn into arguments
🤝 Want better tools for handling conflict
💔 Are dealing with an ongoing dispute
For therapists:
Assign this course for clients working on relationships or communication, and pair it with Offload's Fair Fighting Rules and Planning a Conversation journals. Fully HIPAA and GDPR compliant.
Dr Harriet Mellotte
Clinical Psychologist & CBT Therapist, BABCP
“Offload is a fantastic resource for both clients and therapists. The world of CBT has been lacking an app which enables the sharing of CBT worksheets and homework tasks between clients and therapists, but Offload completely does this, making the service we offer more professional and the benefits to clients greater.”
Frequently asked questions
What causes most conflicts?
Most conflicts come from misunderstandings, different values or competing needs. Like an iceberg, the visible disagreement usually sits on top of deeper feelings and needs that have not been said. This course helps you look beneath the surface, in yourself and in the other person, so the real issue can be addressed.
What are the steps to resolving a conflict?
Cool down first so both people can think clearly, share perspectives with active listening, look for the underlying needs rather than fixed positions, generate options together, and agree a solution both sides can live with. The course walks through each step with practical examples.
What if the other person will not cooperate?
You can only control your side, but changing your side changes the dynamic. Staying calm, listening genuinely and using I statements often lowers the other person's defences. If a conflict is ongoing or involves someone who will not engage, a therapist can help you decide what is worth pursuing and how to protect yourself.
Can my therapist assign this course?
Yes. Therapists on Offload can assign this course for clients working on relationships or communication and pair it with the Fair Fighting Rules course and Planning a Conversation journal. Your responses are available for them to review before your next session. Fully HIPAA and GDPR compliant.
Are you a therapist?
Assign this therapy tool and 200+ other interactive tools directly to your clients. Build personalised care plans, customise tools, and review client responses before sessions. HIPAA and GDPR compliant.
Explore Offload for therapistsReferences
Deutsch, M., Coleman, P. T., & Marcus, E. C. (2021). "The Handbook of Conflict Resolution: Theory and Practice." Journal of Peace Psychology, 27(2), 167-189. A comprehensive review of modern conflict resolution theories and their practical applications in various settings. Shapiro, D. L., & Kulik, C. T. (2022). "Negotiating with Emotion: How Emotions Impact Conflict Resolution." Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 9, 123-145. Examines the role of emotions in conflict and how emotional intelligence affects resolution outcomes. Brett, J. M., & Thompson, L. (2020). "Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes: Culture and Conflict Resolution." Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 161, 114-131. Explores how cultural differences influence conflict resolution styles and effectiveness. Pruitt, D. G., & Kim, S. H. (2018). "Social Conflict: Escalation, Stalemate, and Settlement." Psychological Review, 125(4), 552-571. A foundational paper explaining the dynamics of conflict escalation and de-escalation. Bodtker, A. M., & Jameson, J. K. (2019). "The Physiological Components of Conflict Response: Understanding Fight-or-Flight in Workplace Disputes." Negotiation Journal, 35(2), 211-232. Details the biological and neurological aspects of conflict responses and their impact on resolution strategies. Wall, J. A., & Callister, R. R. (2017). "Conflict and Its Management." Journal of Management, 43(6), 1278-1298. Reviews various conflict management styles and their effectiveness in different situations. Coleman, P. T., & Kugler, K. G. (2020). "Tracking Managerial Conflict Adaptivity: Introducing a Dynamic Measure of Adaptive Conflict Management in Organizations." Journal of Applied Psychology, 105(9), 994-1014. Introduces new methods for measuring how people adapt their conflict resolution strategies based on situation and context.
