ARTICLE REVIEW 1
Article Review: Forgiveness Therapy
Hannah Wood Hostutler
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
Summary
This article analyses the foundation of forgiveness therapy. The research looks at how
the act of forgiveness has an impact on chronic illnesses (Elliot, 2011). Due challenges that
individuals face in earlier stages of life can result in short lifespans (Elliot, 2011). By overcoming
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patterns of negative emotions, forgiveness therapy has been deemed a powerful method
(Borris, 2003; Elliot, 2011). Forgiveness is a goal rather than an intervention during therapeutic
settings (Wade et al., 2008’ Elliot, 2011). To reach achievement with forgiveness in therapy there
are two things individuals must realize (Elliot, 2011). The first realization is that the individual
needs to remove their negative emotions towards the particular situation (Wade et al., 2008;
Elliot, 2011). The second realization includes increasing positive reactions (Wade et al., 2008;
Elliot, 2011). It has been found that forgiveness and unforgiveness do prove to have an impact
on an individual’s body and health (Elliot, 2011). Experiencing forgiveness can result in biological
benefits (Elliot, 2011).
In future studies, Elliot (2011), discussed that there are two connecting issues in future
investigations. One issue is questioning the interaction of forgiveness and religion since
forgiveness therapy is independent of religion (Worthington, 2005; Elliot, 2011). The second
issue at hand is assessing forgiveness of oneself (guilt) rather than what is being presented as
interpersonal forgiveness (Elliot, 2011). Forgiveness therapy is distinctively different from
mending a relationship but rather focuses on restoring the negative emotions towards the
aggressor (Elliot, 2011). Finally, this article concludes that forgiveness therapy does affect
chronic illnesses in individuals (Elliot, 2011). There is still much research to be done on this
subject including more in-depth studies focusing on forgiveness and what it looks like depending
on the circumstance (Elliot, 2011).
Interaction
Before choosing this article, I was unsure about forgiveness therapy. It was also the first
time hearing of forgiveness therapy. It is the reason I chose to read this article to learn more
about this type of therapy and what interventions and results concluded. The act of forgiveness
is relatable. We all at some point in our lives receive or ask for forgiveness. It was unfortunate to
not see a study conducted to see the results of how forgiveness therapy affects chronic
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illnesses. It would have been beneficial to understand the effects forgiveness had on individuals
in different situations.
A reason I chose this article is because it piqued my interest. Since I had not learned
about it, I figured it was a good opportunity. Another reason I chose this article was to see the
study that was examined. Although there wasn’t a study, I found it interesting the effect
forgiveness has on our health. While reading I found it almost difficult because it almost makes
forgiveness sound like it’s easy to do. When it can take years to navigate through deep negative
emotions depending on the individual and the situation. I would like to possibly find studies that
have been conducted especially regarding the time it takes to heal. I feel that in a lot of cases,
there can be multiple situations or relationships that require forgiveness. It makes me question
that although forgiveness is a goal, can it be generalized throughout different scenarios?
Forgiveness is a process and by understanding the process can one understand how an
individual can move toward forgiveness (Klatt & Enright, 2011). A study conducted by Klatt &
Enright (2011), looked at the forgiveness process model and how it would reflect the forgiveness
process as it was happening. This study concluded that the forgiveness process model is
accurate as it evolves outside the frame of intervention (Klatt & Enright, 2011). This closely
relates to the article in that forgiveness is a goal and not an intervention (Elliot, 2008).
In the discussion of this article, Elliot (2011), communicates caution about forgiveness
therapy in future research. Elliot (2011) discusses that to conduct this research a counselor
needs to be skilled. This follows the ACA code of ethics (2014), section C.2.b. which that a
counselor can only practice in a specialty after the correct training, education, and supervised
experience has occurred. Another caution Elliot (2011) describes is the role of religion and how
it needs to be communicated with the counselor and the client. This relates to the ACA code of
ethics (2014), section A.4.b stating that a counselor needs to be aware of their personal beliefs
and avoid imposing these beliefs on the client.
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God gives one of the greatest gifts of forgiveness. When we repent our sins, God forgives
us no matter the sin. He teaches us the beauty of forgiveness. The story of Stephan in the Book
of Acts depicts a man asking for the forgiveness of others. “Then they put their hands over their
ears and began shouting. They rushed at him dragged him out of the city and began to stone
him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul”
(Acts 7:57-58, New Living Translation, 2007). These men began to stone Stephan and Stephan in
that moment is not thinking about himself but of the men hurting him. “He fell to his knees,
shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died” (Acts 7:60, New Living
Translation, 2007). Stephan asked God to forgive these men for hurting him. This shows that
Stephan had forgiven them for what they had done before he died. I think this shows that
forgiveness can be had and that it can bring peace.
Application
In a clinical setting, I have had a young adult come for counseling due to a sexual assault
that the client has experienced. Developing an informed consent form allows the counselor to
provide adequate therapy and lets the client know what to expect. This also allows for the
counselor to understand the client prior to sessions. The counselor is able to establish goals and
future outcomes from therapy. During therapeutic sessions, the client discussed her trauma and
how the assault has affected her day-to-day life. She discussed that it is causing depression and
anxiety. The client has spoken of ill will towards the attacker. As the counselor, I have observed
that the client is having known effects from her attack and that the client has negative emotions
toward her attacker.
As the client’s therapist, I would let the client know about forgiveness therapy and how it
can help her navigate her emotions. By working on emotional forgiveness, the client can
overcome the feeling of ill will over her attacker and provide healing (Elliot, 2008). As the
counselor, I can help to provide the client with a different perspective of her attacker and
situation. By having the client gain self-knowledge and self-acceptance this can aid in the client
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building their toolbox to prepare for forgiveness (Elliot, 2008). Helping the client achieve
emotional forgiveness allows the client to feel free from her attacker and be able to live an
independent life (Elliot, 2008).
When working with the client I would navigate her emotions with her. By understanding
where these rooting emotions are forming can the client begin to understand how to process
them. The client’s particular scenario is difficult on its own. The client would need to process
other possible triggers that stem from the attack. These triggers would need to be processed
before beginning forgiveness therapy towards the attacker. When the client is ready to continue
forgiveness therapy then this goal will start for the client to learn to let go of the uncomfortable
feeling to begin living a life that is not captivated by her attacker. By following through with this
goal there can be success for the client to feel empowered and possibly use the strategies and
coping mechanisms with future relationships that require forgiveness.
References
American Counseling Association. (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics.
https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/
2014code-of-ethics-finaladdress.pdf
Discover God and study Bible. (2007). New Living Translation. Tyndale House.
Elliott, B. A. (2011). Forgiveness therapy: A clinical intervention for chronic disease. Journal of
Religion and Health, 50(2), 240–247. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41349784
Klatt, J. S., & Enright, R. D. (2011). Initial validation of the unfolding forgiveness process in a
natural environment. Counseling and Values, 56(1), 25-42.
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/
scholarlyjournals/initial-validation-unfolding-forgiveness-process/docview/908435605/
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