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Talton Patricia Journal Article Review 1
Orientation to Counseling Professional Identity (Liberty
University)
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Running head: THE EFFECTS OF FORGIVENESS THERAPY
Journal Article Review Effects of Forgiveness Therapy After Spousal
Abuse Patricia Talton
Liberty University
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Journal Article Effects of Forgiveness Therapy After Spousal Abuse
Summary
The article The Effects of Forgiveness Therapy on Depression, Anxiety, and
Posttraumatic Stress for Women After Spousal Emotional Abuse, (Reed & Enwright, 2006)
provides a study done on women who have experienced spousal abuse and compares forgiveness
therapy with alternative therapies such as anger validation, assertiveness and interpersonal skill
building. To gather the data for the research they used the Psychological Abuse Survey, The
Enright Forgiveness Inventory (EFI), Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI), State-Trait
Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Environmental Mastery
Scale, Reed Finding Meaning in Suffering, PTTS checklist and Story measure (Enright & Reed,
2006, pp. 6-8). The participants were emotionally abused women who had been permanently
separated from their abusive partners for a minimum of two years. Emotional abuse for purposes
cited in this article can be identified by at least seven categories including: “criticizing,
ridiculing, jealous control, purposeful ignoring, threats of abandonment, threats of harm, and
damage to personal property” (Reed & Enright, 2006, p.2). According to the article one
promising area of therapy for domestic abuse victims is forgiveness therapy (Reed & Enwright,
2006). The goal in forgiveness therapy is not to excuse or condone an abusive partner’s actions,
but rather a conscious decision the victim can make in order to give up being resentful. Being
resentful towards another is associated with increased risk for anxiety and depression.
When women are exposed to emotional abuse there are long term consequences. 72% of
participants reported that emotional abuse was more detrimental than physical abuse and the
negative impact was significantly longer resulting in depression and post-traumatic stress
disorder (Reed & Enwright, 2006). The article cites two specific challenges women of emotional
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abuse face and that is learned helplessness and accusatory suffering. Learned helplessness
develops and pattern of self-blame, and accusatory suffering is usually a defense mechanism
which consists of maintaining resentment and victim status (Reed & Enwright, 2006).
The article focuses on using forgiveness therapy as a way to decrease resentment towards
the abuser. Decreasing resentment will allow for optimal recovery. The article mentions several
times to acknowledge that forgiveness therapy does not advocate for reconciliation with the
abuser nor does it excuse behavior. Forgiveness therapy allows the victim to promote the
practice of choosing specific moral qualities as a way of empowering themselves. “FT thus
likely effectively ameliorates the negative psychological outcomes of emotional abuse because
engagement in the forgiveness process does decrease resentment toward the former abuser”
(Reed & Enwright, 2006, p. 4).
The conclusion of Reed and Enwright’s study is that forgiveness therpay is a viable
technique in helping women overcome emotional spousal abuse. It helped women overcome the
long-term resentment that was contributing to their anxiety and depression. In another
therapeutic capacity it also helped the victim reestablish her self worth by taking control over
her own actions and feelings. Reed and Enwright (2006) wrap up their study with this thought:
FT holds promise as a post relationship, post crisis therapeutic approach for women who
have experienced spousal emotional abuse, as it provides relief from negative
psychological outcomes and fosters the positive characteristics of courage, competence,
and altruism. These women have been given the message in the abuse context that they
are worthless and that they cannot make good choices. Ft corrects that message.(p.17)
Interaction
“The Effects of Forgiveness Therapy on Depression, Anxiety, and Posttraumatic Stress
for Women After Spousal Emotional Abuse” by Enright and Reed (2006), provided me with
helpful therapy information regarding assisting future clients with post traumatic stress disorder.
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My future goal as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor is to work with trauma clients. I assume
this group will likely include women, men, and children from abusive homes or relationships,
which is why I was most interested in choosing this article for my review. On a personal level I
also chose this article because I was in a very abusive relationship in my early adulthood and I
can relate directly with some of the material. I would agree that the long-term effects as stated in
the article can last much longer than the relationship itself. I appreciate that the article reiterated
that forgiveness is not an excuse or condoning of behavior or a reason to reunite with the former
abuser. I think it would be easy to consider those options if not explained thoroughly more than
once, especially to women who blame themselves for their abuser’s behavior.
The idea of forgiveness helping reestablish self-worth is vital to recovery, again I was
pleased with the article stressing this. It is very easy for women who are abused, or those
susceptible to being abused, as viewing themselves as worthless. As Reed and Enright conclude,
“As a client sees her abuser’s inherent worth, she may then be able to understand that she is also
a person of inherent worth”(2006, p. 15). In viewing one’s self as a person of worth one will
then realize they are capable of making the positive changes and moral decisions to move
forward in forgiveness and reclaiming their power over themselves.
The last therapeutic aspect of forgiveness therapy that Reed and Enwright (2006)
mention was finding meaning in the unjust treatment then advocating for people who have a
shared experience. Once you are free from the resentment you are then able to direct positive
energy into being an advocate to work towards social justice for people in similar situations.
Again, I can relate to this aspect in my personal life because for me it is true. Having been
through the process myself, I am eager to become a licensed counselor and help people work
through the pain that I know a little bit about.
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Application
Kathy came to my office seeking counseling for anxiety related to former abuse of a
domestic partner. She told me the relationship had been over for quite a while but she still had
feelings of negativity and worthlessness that she obsessed over. She had remained stagnant for
some time because she did not believe she was worthy of love, and had frequent bouts of anger
that her former partner seemed to be off living a great life while she was stuck feeling horrible
about herself.
Since Kathy was no longer in contact with her abuser there was no need for an
emergency plan of action. She assured me she was safe and not fearing of any physical harm. I
would address Kathy with the idea of forgiveness therapy. We would go through the uncovering
phase and acknowledge her hurt and betrayals. Reed and Enwright (2006) encourage the victim
to examine her abuse and consider forgiveness therapy as an option. I would try and have Kathy
acknowledge that the way she has been trying to cope is not working as her anxiety has
worsened and ask if she would be open to exploring forgiveness therapy. After assuring her that
this was not absolution of her abuser’s sins (something Reed & Enwright, 2006, stress
repeatedly), but rather a therapy technique to help her let go of some of the resentment she had
that was manifesting in her anxiety and her life stagnation. I would explain to Kathy that in
making the decision to forgive her abuser she is taking control of her feelings, no longer letting
his past actions and words dictate her choices Reframing the abuser out of the position of power
is important, it allows the victim to realize she has to power of choosing to proceed with
relinquishing resentment (Reed & Enwright, 2006). That in forgiveness she was exhibiting a
moral capacity for compassion, something her abuser did not have for her, and in that respect
she was not stupid, or dumb, but an emotionally enlightened human being. In forgiveness she
would
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grieve the pain she had by fully addressing that this was a pain inflicted on her, but she no longer
had to succumb to if she made the choice. The power she did not think she had is completely
hers if she chooses it. If we were in a Christian setting I would remind her of God’s love for
each of us and that even her abuser was loved by God and made in his image. I would encourage
her to view him as a flawed being, as each one of us are, and all subject to hurt each other
because of sin. I would remind her that even if she was the only person on earth that God viewed
her worth so important He would still have sent His son to die for her. That through the eyes of
Jesus we are special and loved and wanted, and in finding her identity in Jesus she would find
her self worth.
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Reference
Enright, R. D. & Reed, G.L. (2006). The effects of forgiveness therapy on depression, anxiety,
and posttraumatic stress for women after spousal emotional abuse. Journal of Consulting
and Clinical Psychology, 74(5), 920-929.
