Effects of Forgiveness Therapy

1102 Words5 Pages
The Effects of Forgiveness Therapy Journal Article Review Liberty University The Effects of Forgiveness Therapy Summary Emotional abuse is one of the lasting effects of spousal abuse that will last longer than any bruise. Long after the abuse, women tend to demonstrate many lingering psychological effects, as this type of abuse may represent a betrayal of trust that may lead to negative outcomes for the one being abused (Reed & Enright, 2006). Spousal psychological abuse is s horse of different colors to include criticizing, ridiculing, jealous control, threats of abandonment, harm, damage to personal property, and purposeful ignoring (Reed & Enright, 2006). Some lasting effects from the psychological abuse include depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, learned helplessness, and even ongoing resentment of the abuser. Out of many that suffer the emotional/psychological abuse, few seek treatment. There is little treatment recommended for this type of abuse as there is lack of evidence that any may work. Brief therapy is recommended with a focus on anger validation and interpersonal skill building, however, forgiveness therapy is a new form of treatment that focuses on forgiving an injustice and with helping with anxiety and depression as well as improving self-esteem (Reed & Enright, 2006, p.920). This therapy targets the ongoing resentment that can lead to the depression, anxiety, anger, and other psychological disparities (Reed & Enright, 2006,920). Forgiveness therapy gives an understanding to how unhealthy it is to hold on to the anger and the resentment. When offering forgiveness therapy as a form of treatment, the therapists must explain to them difference between forgiveness and condoning, excusing, or forgetting the acts of wrongdoing. Forgiveness is about promoting reclamation of valued personal qualities for women

More about Effects of Forgiveness Therapy

Open Document