A407 The Psychology of Forgiveness: Theory, Research, and Practice

Learn a well-researched, cognitive/narrative approach developed at the Stanford University Forgiveness Project to help clients overcome grievances and reach forgiveness. The core components of grievance and forgiveness will be explored, as well as the role of focused attention and the mind/body connection in creating positive emotional states. You'll learn how to use mindfulness and guided imagery practices to facilitate letting go of grievances. Research findings on forgiveness and concrete clinical strategies will be discussed.

Meet The Instructor

Frederic Luskin, Ph.D., is the director of the Stanford University Forgiveness Project and an associate professor at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. His work on forgiveness has been featured on 20/20, Today, O,and in Time Magazine and The New York Times. He is the author of Forgive for Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness.

Course Contents

Session 1: What Is Forgiveness and What Is It Not? • Forgiveness research • The effects of unmanaged anger and hurt • The effects of positive emotions

Session 2: Where Forgiveness Fits in Therapy • Why forgive? • Three core components in a grievance • Reversing the grievance process • Guided practice in gratitude and other positive emotions

Week 3: Techniques of Cognitive Disputation • Mindfulness training techniques • Guided practice in stress management

Week 4: Importance of Choices in Emotional Well-Being • Bitterness and holding onto past grievances • How grievances block appropriate life choices

Week 5 : Positive Instentions • Appropriate goal seeking • The HEAL visualization method

Week 6: Narrative and Story • As assessment of self-healing • As a tool to create forgiveness • The 9 steps to forgiveness • Avoiding relapse

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the characteristics of forgiveness in the context of therapy
2. Name 3 core components of a grievance
3. Discuss the 9 steps to forgiveness
4. Describe 2 guided practices to help clients move toward forgiveness

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