The Forgiveness Reconciliation Model: An Empirically Supported Process for Humanistic Counseling

Abstract

The Forgiveness Reconciliation Model, a humanistic intervention that assists the client and counselor with navigating the forgiveness journey, was supported empirically using ordinary least squares path analysis with bootstrapping. How clients process issues of forgiveness and conflict is partially related to their perception of how the perpetrator has changed.

Evaluation of Trauma, Forgiveness, and Well‐Being Among African Americans

“…In emotional forgiveness, an interpersonal process of reconciliation is possible (VanderWeele, 2018). Given that participants in this study endorsed a forgiveness process consistent with extant research on the FRM that was more aligned with intrapersonal forgiveness (Balkin, 2021; Balkin et al, 2009, 2014, 2016), the lack of a relationship between trauma symptoms and forgiveness and between forgiveness and well‐being is consistent with decisional forgiveness, in which actions related to negative affect toward the offender may not be pursued, but hurt, pain, and anger may still be present within the victim.…”

“…Forgiveness as both a spiritual journey and a process of social and emotional growth is widely documented (e.g., Balkin et al, 2009, 2014, 2016; Enright, 2001; Wade et al, 2018; Worthington, 2020; Worthington & Wade, 1999). However, research linking forgiveness to the effects of trauma, physical health, and well‐being is lacking.…”

“…However, research linking forgiveness to the effects of trauma, physical health, and well‐being is lacking. Extant research on forgiveness, trauma, well‐being, and African American perceptions of forgiveness, along with existing models based on the forgiveness reconciliation model (FRM; Balkin, 2021; Balkin et al, 2009, 2014, 2016), provides a theoretical framework for examining the relationships between trauma, forgiveness, and well‐being among primarily African American participants. We hypothesized that trauma symptoms would be related to the processing of forgiveness, which would affect well‐being.…”

application of a humanistic approach to health care and education

“…Humans are living beings who determine for themselves what they want to do and what they don't want to do, because humans are creatures that are responsible for everything they do. A counselor who uses a humanistic approach helps deeper when identifying conflicts to help remove client barriers with the aim of improving the client's mental health [21].…”