Conflict Resolution in Maryland
What do you think of when you hear the word "conflict"? Aggression? Fighting? Toxic behavior? Anger? Conflict is actually none of these things...unless it is not used well. We all have moments of frustration. Sometimes they are associated with a friend, a family member, or a disagreement in your everyday life. But there are several positive strategies to utilize when it comes to dealing with conflict. The first is to accept that not all conflict is problematic.
Conflict is constructive and is a necessary part of developing intimacy, confidence, competency, self-esteem, and resiliency. When our core belief defines all conflict as negative, several problems can emerge.
What qualifies as a conflict?
Conflict simply means that there is some obstacle, challenge, difference, or resource that is not aligned with what you need or want in a situation. Your approach to this conflict will either be constructive or cause an escalation in behaviors and consequences.
According to the Office of Human Resource Development at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, conflict reactions can be better understood by analyzing various behaviors and the consequences of each behavior on the individual.
- Avoidance: This is the person who wishes to ignore the problem and will allow it to dissipate or squander. Unfortunately, quite the contrary is happening in this situation. The problem then swells under the surface until it’s no longer avoidable and must be addressed on a larger scale.
- Standing your Ground: People who use this technique may appear controlling and aggressive in their means of communication. They fear not having their needs met if they don’t set the rules and direct the conversation. This is sometimes erroneously rationalized as "setting boundaries". Boundaries and control are not the same thing.
- Surrendering: Often perceived as the diplomat, the person using this tactic concedes to the needs of others. They place the needs and opinions of others on their own because preserving the relationship(s) is the ultimate goal.
- Compromise/Sacrifice: This method is a sort of concession, and while it seems to be a good route to take, it’s not the best approach. People in this category make a sequence of tradeoffs, which means they are focusing on what they want as opposed to understanding the other’s viewpoint.
- Collaborate: People who practice collaboration care about exercising their RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES in balance and respecting when others are doing the same. This simply means that they scout common aspirations and needs so that every party knows their opinions and feelings are important and are going to be heard. This style needs a lot of cooperation, assertiveness, and communication among the parties.
Ultimately, understanding your wants and needs and your behavior patterns will establish internal insight. You will have a better understanding of not just yourself, but also of others around you and how situations may or may not unfold. This knowledge will give you preliminary tools for conflict resolution.
To book a consultation today for Conflict Resolution with a therapist at Tau Counseling,
Please use the Chat feature, or call our 24/7 receptionist at 443-266-8455.
Service areas cover the entire state of Maryland, DC, and Virginia via telehealth
, including Frederick, Baltimore, Timonium, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Bel Air, Frostburg, and more
