The SDI is used both in training mediators and during formal mediation with the disputing parties. Mediators learn to recognize conflict stages in other people so they can focus discussion on returning the parties involved to a place where they can feel good about themselves again, or at least return them to the first stage of conflict so they can resolve the dispute with all parties' interests in mind. When the SDI is used with the parties to the dispute it often leads to discussions that help the parties understand each other's perspectives more clearly. This understanding contributes to more rapid and more acceptable results of the mediation. In some cases, disputing parties acknowledge that the whole thing was really an unwarranted conflict that got blown out of proportion and if they had recognized it earlier, there would have been no dispute at all.

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