Forgiveness and Spirituality in Psychotherapy

Everett L. Worthington, Jr., PhD, is Commonwealth Professor of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). He is a licensed clinical psychologist in Virginia and has had an active private practice, directed a counselling service, and been clinical supervisor for other agencies. As a professor, he has done teaching and research at VCU since 1978. He has studied forgiveness since the 1980s, and he makes many practical resources available on his website (without cost).In his career, he has written or edited 35 books and almost 400 articles or chapters. Dr. Worthington is regularly interviewed in media and is a frequent speaker throughout the world.Steven J. Sandage, PhD, is the Albert and Jessie Danielsen Professor of Psychology of Religion and Theology at Boston University and the research director and senior staff psychologist at the Danielsen Institute. He is a licensed psychologist with clinical specialization in couples and family therapy.Dr. Sandage has academic appointments at Boston University in the School of Theology, the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, and the Graduate Division of Religious Studies and has been training clinicians for 18 years. He has previously published four books and numerous articles and chapters in the areas of positive psychology, spirituality, psychopathology, psychotherapy, and intercultural competence.

• PrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroductionI. Theory and EvidenceHow Forgiveness Helps People Cope With TransgressionsHow Spiritual Transformation OccursHow Attachment Affects Spirituality and Why Spiritual Transformation May Be Needed to ForgiveEvidence Supporting the ModelsII. Promoting ForgivenessHelping People ForgiveForgiveness in Brief PsychotherapyCase Study of Forgiveness in Brief PsychotherapyForgiveness in Long-Term PsychotherapyCase Study of Forgiveness in Long-Term PsychotherapyForgiveness in Couples and Family TherapyForgiveness in Group InterventionsAfterwordAppendix: Measures to Assess Aspects of the Victim - Sacred and (Victim's Perception of) the Offender - Sacred RelationshipReferencesIndexAbout the Authors

"This is a useful read for time-strapped practitioners who want to understand this approach and improve their clinical efficacy by integrating the religious and psycho-spiritual approach into their work, as I believe that this is a key aspect of therapy that is missing." —New England Psychologist