Self awareness
Five-Step Resolution Protocol
Five-Step Resolution Protocol
This protocol is intended for clients who remain fixated on a specific past interpersonal conflict. It directly addresses the cognitive loops and rigid narratives that sustain feelings of anger, resentment, or injury from a single event. The tool is effective for addressing unresolved disagreements in personal relationships, family dynamics, or professional settings where a specific incident continues to cause distress for an individual.
The directive uses a structured process of deconstruction and re-appraisal. It systematically moves the client from an emotional, subjective recollection to a more objective analysis that incorporates other viewpoints. The aim is to facilitate a deliberate cognitive reframing, enabling the individual to establish a definitive personal conclusion about the incident and develop concrete strategies for future conduct.
Five-Step Resolution Protocol
Step 1: Document the Incident
The specific event:
People directly involved:
Date and location (approximate):
The primary action or statement to be resolved:
Step 2: Analyze the Other Perspective
Complete the table from the other person’s point of view, based on facts and observation.
| Their Stated or Likely Goal | Observed Facts Supporting That View | External Factors Affecting Them |
|---|---|---|
Step 3: Articulate Your Decision
Formulate a concluding statement about this event. This statement is for your use only and defines your relationship to the memory going forward.
Step 4: Plan Future Conduct
| Potential Future Trigger | Your Corresponding Action/Response |
|---|---|
| Recalling the event on your own | |
| Seeing the person involved | |
| Someone else brings up the event | |
Step 5: Define Confirmation Criteria
Observable evidence that the resolution is effective:
Your internal indicator (physical sensation, thought pattern) that confirms the change:
First small signal that will indicate success:
Generated with Rapport7 — rapport7.com