A method and apparatus are described for providing a way for a user to alleviate fear, anger, or other negative thoughts or feelings that the user has toward a specific other person, who is personally known to the user and with whom the user has previously has adverse personal interactions, or to focus such anger or negative thoughts or feelings on the second person who is an object of the user's negative feelings. This is accomplished by having the user select and display an image of the other person, so that the image is visible to the user, and also select and display an image of an object that is potentially harmful to the other person. Then the user causes the images to touch, become superimposed on, or located near one another. For example, an image of a knife is moved so that it appears that the knife stabs the image of the other person. It is then determined whether the fear, anger, or other negative thoughts or feelings of the user have been reduced. If not, the process is repeated. As a result, the foregoing procedure transforms a state of mind of the user in a manner such that an at least partial catharsis or discharge of cathexis occurs, but without the user believing consciously that the user's simulated actions actually harm the other person in the manner acted out. A preferred embodiment utilizes computer means to carry out this procedure, such as a PC or handheld portable programmed device.