Summary The article, “The Effects of Forgiveness Therapy on Depression, Anxiety, and Posttraumatic Stress for Women after Spousal Emotional Abuse”, by Gayle L. Reed and Robert D. Enright, is a research study about the effects of forgiveness therapy. The study compared forgiveness therapy with alternative treatments, such as anger validation, assertiveness, and interpersonal skills, to provide an efficient treatment for emotional abused women. The authors of this article found there were many treatments available for women who have been emotional abused by a spousal, but found that there wasn’t any, “clear empirical support for the efficacy” (Reed & Enright, 2006, p. 920). Many researchers have defined the abuse or established ways
Most people are not going to rush to give mercy or grace; by nature it is difficult to forgive. It is the main belief of most religion and exactly what the Bible teaches us to practice, Colossians 3:13, Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (NIV)
Application
As a clinical social worker providing geriatric care services, I can provide therapy to address any emotional or behavioral needs using forgiveness therapy. When Robert a 70 year old resident at the Veterans Living Center (nursing homes) comes to me because his son has previously taking advantage of him and he needs someone to talk to about the experience. He feel because of he was mistreated in the relationship it is okay for him to cut all ties with his son. First I would express to Robert that it is okay to be angry. I would give him the opportunity to reveal this anger and any feelings that possibly come from the pain of his son mistreating him. The more time he spends discussing his feelings regarding the situation helps to uncover how it has affected him. Seeing what it has done to him may help him to make the choice to forgive his son.
From here hopefully Robert can make the decision to forgive. Helping him think through all of the negative effects not forgiving has had on him, as well as, the possibility