Continued Social Work Phone: 866-419-0818


What is Transformative Conflict Resolution?

Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD

August 23, 2021

Question

What is transformative conflict resolution?

Answer

Transformative conflict resolution suggests that problematic conflicts are essentially a crisis in interaction. If people learn to interact more effectively they would deal with the conflict more effectively whereas an interest based approach to conflict resolution focus on helping people develop a win-win solution.

Transformation focuses on the processes, emotions, and relationships between the people involved in the conflict. Transformation suggests that we should change the way that people interact as they deal with the conflict. 

By transforming the process they may reach a solution or agreement or they may not. The success of transformative conflict resolution is not determined by whether there is an agreement but whether the processes, emotions, and relationships are enhanced. The outcome is secondary. Transformative conflict resolution not only helps people resolve their immediate conflict, it also has the power to transform society. 

 

 

This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the webinar,  A Transformative Approach to Managing Ethics Conflicts with Clients and Colleagues, presented by Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, Phd.

 

Continued and its subsidiaries provide professional education authored by qualified Subject Matter Experts for continuing education purposes. These materials are intended for educational purposes and do not constitute medical advice or a substitute for individual clinical judgment. Continued is not a clinical healthcare provider; the licensed professional is solely responsible for ensuring that the application of any techniques or information presented is within their legal scope of practice and jurisdictional requirements.


allan barsky

Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD

Dr. Allan Barsky is a professor of social work at Florida Atlantic University where he was awarded “Scholar of the Year” in 2020. He is a former chair of the National Ethics Committee of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and was awarded NASW’s “Excellent in Ethics Award.” His book credits include “Ethics and Values in Social Work”, “Conflict Resolution for the Helping Professions”, "Interprofessional Practice with Diverse Populations”, “Successful Social Work Education”, and “Clinicians in Court.” Dr. Barsky has mediated in several contexts of practice, including divorce/separation mediation, parent-youth mediation, community mediation, and mediations of grievances against social workers.


Related Courses

Moral Good Versus Moral and Ethical Duty in Mental Health Practice: Shoulds, Shalls, and What-Ifs
Presented by Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD
Video

Presenter

Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD
Course: #2575Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'The course helped to make the difference between moral good and moral duty'   Read Reviews
When faced with complex ethical situations, mental health professionals often turn to their professional codes of ethics for guidance. One of the challenges in interpreting these codes is differentiating “moral goods” and “moral duties.” This webinar offers participants insights into how to distinguish these concepts, including the implications of this distinction for ethical decision-making in everyday practice. As mental health professionals, it’s important not only to meet our baseline obligations, but also reach towards the highest aspirations of our professions.

The Ethics of Cultural Humility in Clinical Practice
Presented by Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD
Live WebinarWed, Sep 23, 2026 at 12:00 pm EDT
Wed, Sep 23, 2026 at 12:00 pm EDT

Presenter

Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD
Course: #2840Level: Intermediate1 Hour
This workshop provides practical insights and guidance on the ethical principle of cultural humility in clinical behavioral health practice. Participants will learn how to employ cultural curiosity and respect, person-centered cultural assessments, collaborative treatment planning, and ethical self-monitoring and assessment. This course was designed for an interprofessional audience.

A Futurist Approach to Social Work Ethics: Proactive, Creative, and Aspirational Strategies
Presented by Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD
Video

Presenter

Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD
Course: #1568Level: Intermediate1.08 Hours
  'Interesting information'   Read Reviews
Ethics training typically focuses on how to respond to ethical issues that have arisen in the past or ethical issues affecting current social work practice. This webinar provides a futurist approach to ethics, providing social workers and allied professionals with strategies to anticipate, prepare for, and take proactive steps regarding ethical issues arising in the coming months and years.

Deontology: A Principled Approach to Ethical Decision Making with Clients
Presented by Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD
Video

Presenter

Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD
Course: #1316Level: Intermediate1.12 Hours
  'Clear definitions and philosophical traditions, with excellent contextualization of hypothetical applications'   Read Reviews
In this workshop, participants will learn how to apply deontology, an approach to managing challenging ethical issues by evaluating our ethical principles and duties as social workers. Participants will also learn how to engage clients, coworkers, and supervisees in collaborative discussions about how to manage conflicting obligations in relation to privacy, safety, autonomy, social justice, honesty, and avoiding harm.

Gender-Affirming Care: Ethical Issues and Responses
Presented by Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD
Video

Presenter

Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD
Course: #2347Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'very pertinent topic, well delivered, and helpful, complex realistic case studies'   Read Reviews
Various states have passed laws restricting access to gender-affirming medical care, including hormone blockers, hormone treatment, and gender-affirming surgery for youth and adults. Participants will learn the impact of these laws on social workers and their clients, including ethical issues related to access to service, consent/assent, honesty/integrity, record keeping, respect, legal compliance, advocacy, cultural humility, and social justice. Participants will learn how to navigate these issues by applying a framework for managing ethical issues to case studies involving transgender and gender-diverse clients affected by these laws.