How Can I Forgive You?: The Courage To Forgive, The Freedom Not To - Softcover

Spring, Janis Abrahms PhD.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0060009314 ISBN 13: 9780060009311

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2005

Synopsis

Until now, we have been taught that forgiveness is good for us and that good people forgive. Dr. Spring, a gifted therapist and the award-winning author of After the Affair, proposes a radical, life-affirming alternative that lets us overcome the corrosive effects of hate and get on with our lives--without forgiving. She also offers a powerful and unconventional model for genuine forgiveness--one that asks as much of the offender as it does of us.This bold and healing book offers step-by-step, concrete instructions that help us make peace with others and with ourselves, while answering such crucial questions as these: How do I forgive someone who is unremorseful or dead?When is forgiveness cheap?What is wrong with refusing to forgive?How can the offender earn forgiveness?How do we forgive ourselves for hurting another human being?

About this title

Review

"This book is a treasure trove for anyone who has ever felt betrayed or hurt by a personal relationship."--Peggy Papp, author of Couples on the Fault Line: New Directions for Therapists

"A fresh and original approach to an ancient challenge."--Harville Hendrix, Ph.D., author of Getting the Love You Want

"Spring really shines.... Armed with her insights, offenders and those they've offended have hope of recovery."--Bellingham Herald

"A truly stellar book putting forgiveness in a new, revealing light and provides clear steps to turn wounds into wisdom."--Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., author of Minding the Body, Mending the Mind

"Clear, insightful...a thoughtful exposition on the nuanced role of forgiveness in relationships that goes beyond the average self-help book."--Publishers Weekly

Synopsis

Published to extraordinary media attention - O'Reilly Factor, CBS Early Show, Fox News Edge, Diane Rehm - Janis Abrahms Spring's long awaited second book expertly tackles the sensitive issue of forgiveness by giving real people a new model from which they can heal from interpersonal injuries, by debunking myths, and by controversially setting the record straight that forgiveness is not the only all-or-nothing sound response to injury. The topic of forgiveness is fast becoming one of the key concepts in psychotherapy. With illuminating anecdotes and case material based on nearly 30 years of clinical experience, Janis Spring controversially reveals that we have more options than just forgiving or not forgiving. From forgotten birthdays to deliberate sexual offences, infidelity and disloyalty, How Can I Forgive You? Takes a bold, new position that frees us from the corrosive effects of hate and helps us to make peace with both the person who has hurt us and with ourselves.

By providing concrete, step-by-step instructions for both the hurt party and the offender, spring brings to light a new, empowering model that is bound to change forever the way we think about forgiveness, regardless of whether or not the offending party is willing to apologize.

Edition details

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0060009314
• ISBN 13: 9780060009311
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 272