If somebody insists they were not afraid of the disrespect, agree with them. Good, because if there was nothing to fear then the words were safe, and safe things can be left alone.

What the research says

A randomised controlled trial of brief therapist supported internet treatments found that teaching either mindful awareness of emotion or reappraisal reduced problematic anger, with no clear advantage to combining them. Two different routes reached a similar place. That does not validate this particular conversational move, but it does suggest more than one honest way in can work.

Strength of evidence: one line of research. A single study, or a theoretical account.