The cognitive and emotive uses of forgiveness in the treatment of anger.

This article presents the cognitive and emotive uses of forgiveness as a psychotherapeutic technique which enables patients to release anger without inflicting harm on others. The benefits, process, and preventive uses of forgiveness in psychotherapy as well as obstacles encountered to relinquishing anger are discussed. The treatment of anger is one of the most important areas in psychotherapy, and its management is essential for both the emotional well-being of the individual and for the good of society. The number of reports (U.S. Department of Justice, 1981) on the increased expression of anger and violence against children, teachers, spouses, and others indicates that significant numbers of people in our society do not know how to deal appropriately with their anger. When anger develops, there are three mechanisms available for dealing with this emotion. These are denial, expression, and forgiveness; that is, the surrender of one’s desire for revenge.