Forgiveness: A Double-Edged Sword of Trauma Therapy

Forgiveness has become a popular topic in mental health writing. Myriad specialists call us to its high road. But in practice, when people have suffered from interpersonal trauma, often at the hands of those they trusted most, forgiveness can be easier said than done. Forgiveness in trauma therapy may sometimes serve as a double-edged sword: Sometimes helpful and necessary, sometimes not. 

In this 2-hour continuing education web conference, Dr. Robert T. Muller will examine such topics as “rushed forgiveness” and how it can affect trauma clients. Dr. Muller will also explore apologies and their role in authentic forgiveness. He will discuss how it can be helpful for clients to view forgiveness as a process, rather than a virtue. 

Finally, Dr. Muller will address self-forgiveness, and how sometimes in trauma work, clients and therapists struggle to forgive themselves. Throughout the web conference, clinical material will be used to illustrate concepts, and attendees will be invited to participate during question and answer periods. 

This introductory instructional level web conference is designed to help clinicians: 

1. Compare authentic forgiveness and rushed forgiveness. 
2. Summarize the process of forgiveness in trauma therapy.
3. Recognize the role of apology in the forgiveness process.
4. Observe the role of self-forgiveness in trauma work. 
5. Practice concepts learned in client sessions.

Statement of program material's accuracy, utility, and risks: The material presented in this program is based on the presenter’s work as a professor. To the presenter’s knowledge, it is accurate, as it is based on a combination of his own research, research he has read in respected books and journals in the field, and his specific clinical experience with actual treatment cases. There are no known risks in attending this webinar. It is useful for clinicians working in treatment settings of a mental health nature.

Declaration identifying any potential conflict of interest and/or commercial support: No conflict of interest and no commercial support. The presenter is paid by a university to teach, and in that role, to disseminate knowledge of clinical psychology to people both within and outside the field.

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact us here.

Continuing Education (CE) Information

2 CE contact hours will be provided by GoodTherapy for attending this web conference in its entirety.

To receive CE credit hours for an archived event, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events generally are considered "homestudy" by licensing boards. 

GoodTherapy is an Approved Education Provider by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals (provider #135463). Of the eight counselor skill groups ascribed to by NAADAC, this course is classified within Counseling Services. 

GoodTherapy is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org, provider #1352, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 3/30/2022 – 3/30/2025. Social workers completing this course receive 2 continuing education credits.

GoodTherapy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 

GoodTherapy, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0395.

GoodTherapy, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0022 and for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0031.

To receive CE credit hours for an archived event, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 12 or 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events generally are considered "homestudy" by licensing boards.

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost, as well as other member benefits such as a profile listing in GoodTherapy's Therapist Directory. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Just want CE credits? Sign up for a monthly or annual CE Subscription with GoodTherapy to get unlimited access to our CE Program, including this event, other live CE web conferences, and hundreds of hours of homestudy courses.

Mental health professionals who are not members can access the homestudy recording for $15.50. Sign up here to purchase this CE course and earn a CE certificate.

If the event is canceled by GoodTherapy, registrants who purchased the event will be notified and the charge for the event will be refunded

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact us.

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