Forgiveness and reconciliation in therapy

Abstract

Forgiveness and reconciliation as processes used in therapy can have a significant impact on improving relationships with other people and a better understanding of their own feelings, motives and actions. The use of these phenomena in therapy is still the object of research, most of which confirm its positive impact on the relationship between the person who forgives and the one which he forgives. In order to better understand this process, it is important to pay attention to various stages of forgiveness and reflect on the psychological issues. Forgiveness is a difficult process, which in the ordinary meaning can be associated negatively. For many people, the decision of forgiveness is associated with reliving their harm, which makes this process extremely hard for them. It turns out, however, that the confrontation with negative experiences can be beneficial, because it allows to reduce negative emotions, attitudes and behavior against the person, repair relations and change the way of thinking.