Conflict resolution treatment is a relatively new "brand" of treatment.  It combines insight-oriented therapy and practical behavioral how-to learning around the core idea that unresolved or poorly resolved conflicts lie at the core of emotional distress.  

I explain conflict resolution theory and treatment methods in detail in my book From Conflict to Resolution and my audio CD Depression, A Disorder of Power.  For now, here's a glimpse of how this new mode of treatment can help to alleviate a depressive collapse.

Can I do it on my own?

Yes, you can do the visualization on your own.  Just open your eyes each time you're ready to read the next question.  Most people find it easier though if a friend or relative reads the questions, you verbalize what you see, and together you discuss each of your answers, keeping your eyes closed the full time.  A third and probably the best option is, if you have a therapist, to ask your therapist to guide you.

Note that when the other independent therapy professionals who work in my office suite or I utilize this visualization to treat depression, it's a first step.  We usually then add individual talk therapy, energy treatments called The Emotion Code and The Body Code, and/or couple therapy if the client is married or in a relationship. Particularly though for alleviating a depression of somewhat recent origin, just getting rid of depression's dark cloud is in itself a big relief for most people.

What's ahead?

Here's an overview of the visualization.  It begins by helping you to identify the situation that has triggered the depressive collapse.  It then gives you an inner sense of empowerment.  From a more empowered place you will re-address the situation that triggered your depression.  As you begin to think of new solution options, click, your inner energy lights will come back on.  The dark gloom of depressive hopelessness and helplessness will dissipate, replaced by the light of positive feelings like enthusiasm, appreciation and hope. 

Here goes!

Sit in a comfortable chair and close your eyes. Read aloud the following questions, pausing after each to let visual images clarify themselves on your visual screen.

Identify the conflict. "If you were going to be mad at someone or at something other than yourself, notice what image comes up of whom you could be mad at."

Fill in the details. "In that scene, what do you see him (her) doing? How do you respond? What do you want? What do you feel, and think?"

Check relative sizes. "Who appears bigger, you or the other? By a little, or by a lot?" Note: if there are no size discrepancies, you are not dealing with depression, or have not yet identified the depressogenic situation. Check by asking toward whom or what else, again not yourself, you may be feeling irritation, frustration or anger.

Alter the sizes, increasing the patient's sense of power. "Picture yourself suddenly growing very tall, like Alice in Wonderland, shooting way up tall. Take a deep breath and with each breath feel yourself growing larger."

Broaden the database."From this new height, from this perspective, what can you see now that you may not have noticed before when you were small?"

Find new solutions. "Knowing what you now know, from this bigger size, what are some new ways you might handle the problem to be more effective in getting what you want?"

Now open your eyes and think/talk about what you have discovered.  Notice how much strongre you feel, and lighter, with your newly returned sense of internal empowerment.  Notice how instead of that negative hopeless feeling you now have a plan of action.  Go for it!

Note:  For a married person who is experiencing depression, it's best for both partners to be included in the therapy process.  Do the visualization within the therapy session, hopefully with the therapist asking the guiding questions.  The spouse will learn much by watching and listening.

For well-being to be sustained, couples need to address their on-going patterns of dominant-submissive interactions.That way they each can make the changes necessary for them to be able replace their prior dominant-submissive depression-inducing interactions with a cooperative and more upbeat relationship.

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 Susan Heitler, PhD, a Denver Clinical psychologist, is author of multiple publications including From Conflict to Resolution and The Power of Two.  A graduate of Harvard and NYU, Dr. Heitler's most recent project is a marriage skills website, PowerOfTwoMarriage.com.