§16§§The present volume is a ground-breaking and agenda-setting investigation of the psychology of self-forgiveness. It brings together the work of expert clinicians and researchers working within the field, to address questions such as: Why is self-forgiveness so difficult? What contexts and psychological experiences give rise to the need for self-forgiveness? What approaches can therapists use to help people process difficult experiences that elicit guilt, shame and self-condemnation? How can people work through their own failures and transgressions?§ Assembling current theories and findings, this unique resource reviews and advances our understanding of self-forgiveness, and its potentially critical function in interpersonal relationships and individual emotional and physical health. The editors begin by exploring the nature of self-forgiveness. They consider its processes, causes, and effects, how it may be measured, and its potential benefits to theory and psychotherapy. E §16§xpertclinicians and researchers then examine self-forgiveness in its many facets; as a response to guilt and shame, a step toward processing transgressions, a means of reducing anxiety, and an essential component of, or, under some circumstances a barrier to, psychotherapeutic intervention. Contributors also address self-forgiveness as applied to diverse psychosocial contexts such as addiction and recovery, couples and families, healthy aging, the workplace, and the military.§§ §Among the topics in the Handbook:§ An evolutionary approach to shame-based self-criticism, self-forgiveness and compassion. Working through psychological needs following transgressions to arrive at self-forgiveness. Self-forgiveness and health: a stress-and-coping model. Self-forgiveness and personal and relational well-being. Self-directed intervention to promote self-forgiveness. Understanding the role of forgiving the self in the act of hurting oneself. §The Handbook of the Psyc §16§hology of Self-Forgiveness serves many healing professionals. It covers a wide range of problems for which individuals often seek help from counselors, clergy, social workers, psychologists and physicians. Research psychologists, philosophers, and sociologists studying self-forgiveness will also find it an essential handbook that draws together the advances made over the past several decades, and identifies important directions for the road ahead.§ §04§Part I: Understanding Self-forgiveness.- Orientation to the Psychology of Self-forgiveness.- Understanding Shame and Guilt.- An Evolutionary Approach to Shame-based Self-Criticism, Self-Forgiveness and Compassion.- §04§herapeutic Models and Counseling Outcomes.- Group Intervention to Promote Self-Forgiveness.- Self-Forgiveness in Couple and Family Therapy.- Self-directed Intervention to Promote Self-forgiveness.- Part (b): Clinical Applications to Specific Domains.- Self-Forgiveness and Military Service: Equipping Warriors to Combat Moral Injury.- Self-forgiveness and Treating Personality Disorders.- Self-Forgiveness, Self-Harm and Suicidal Behavior: Understanding the Role of Forgiving the Self in the Act of Hurting One's Self.- Self-Forgiveness, Addiction, and Recovery.- Self-Forgiveness and Hypersexual Behavior.- Self-forgiveness at Work.- Self-Forgiveness and Pursuit of the Sacred: The Role of Pastoral-Related Care.- Self-forgiveness in Older Adulthood.- Conclusion.
