Perspectives on Forgiveness: Clinical Implications

Target audience and instructional level of this course: foundational

There is no known conflict of interest or commercial support related to this CE program.

TRAINING

Course Description

Course Description

This course considers the clinical implications related to perspectives on forgiveness. It is not uncommon for clinicians to see clients affected by interpersonal transgressions. Forgiveness is an approach that some clients will decide to pursue, and it represents a positive psychological response to interpersonal harms that can contribute to numerous positive outcomes. Forgiveness can be defined as the release of resentment or anger. It is vitally important for the mental health of those who have been victimized, as it propels them forward rather than keeping them emotionally engaged in trauma or injustice. This course details three approaches to forgiveness: the Enright forgiveness process Model, the "Reach" method and the 9 steps process. After learning about these approaches, it details the potential clinical implications of a focus on forgiveness, providing valuable insight and advice.

Learning Objectives

After completing this training the professional will be able to:

• identify and compare three approaches to forgiveness.
• describe potential clinical implications of a focus on forgiveness.
• summarize new ways to think about forgetting and its potential relationship to forgiveness.

Author(s)/Reference(s)

Lisa Cosgrove, Ph.D.
Professor of Counseling and School Psychology
University of Massachusetts, Boston
Varda Konstam, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita of Counseling and School Psychology
University of Massachusetts, Boston

Robert Enright, Ph.D.
Professor
University of Wisconsin Department of Educational Psychology