Forgiveness is not beneficial for everyone

‘Trauma survivors are often encouraged to forgive their abusers, with the promise that it will aid their healing.’ Photograph: Shutterstock

While I deeply respect the work of Fred Luskin and Robert Enright, psychologists should be careful not to suggest that forgiveness is beneficial for everyone (Leave the hurt behind! How to let go of a grudge, 26 March). It isn’t. There is no one-size-fits-all solution in mental health. While forgiveness may help some, it can harm others.

Trauma survivors are often encouraged to forgive their abusers, with the promise that it will aid their healing. However, there’s no evidence to support the idea that forgiveness improves trauma recovery. Mandatory forgiveness can, in fact, impede healing and is a major reason many survivors avoid seeking help. Instead of promoting forgiveness as a moralistic ideal, we should encourage individuals to find what truly works for them.
Amanda Ann Gregory
Author, You Don’t Need to Forgive: Trauma Recovery on Your Own Terms

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