Review of the "Effects of Forgiveness Therapy on Depression, Anxiety, and Posttraumatic Stress for Women After Spousal Emotional Abuse"SummaryThis study provides a comparison of the therapy of forgiveness and alternative treatment in women who have been exposed to emotional abuse by a spouse. Reed and Enright (2006) hypothesize that clients will achieve greater relief from negative psychological symptoms in long-term recovery with the use of forgiveness therapy as a replacement for alternative treatments that had previously been used Enright, "the theoretical and empirical literature on effective post-relationship and post-crisis treatment for spousal psychological abuse is scarce" (2006, p. 920), suggesting the need for more empirical studies. Reed and Enright (2006) refer to various empirical studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of forgiveness therapy with respect to incest and in drug rehabilitation. With this study, the intent is to move into the treatment of spousal emotional abuse. The sample consisted of 20 psychologically abused women (aged 32–54) who were at least two years old. separated from their attacker. The purpose of this was to avoid any “false forgiveness” or empathy that would lead to the woman's reunification with her abuser (Reed & Enright, 2006, p. 922). The researchers also took into account some variables that may have skewed the results, such as the estrangement of subjects who are currently in an emotionally abusive relationship or whether the woman was physically abused as a child. Women were screened via various measures in a pre-test and a post-test. After the pretest, the experimental group received 1-hour individual therapy sessions using Enright's forgiveness process model. The control group received the treatment based on...... half of the paper ...... and. Christ offered forgiveness to those who were crucifying him, as seen in Luke 23:34. He has shown that he forgives those who harm us. In Ephesians 4:31-32 we are also reminded not to hold onto those negative emotions, but rather to be kind and forgive one another just as Christ has forgiven us. These verses provide validation for forgiveness therapy. Therefore, in both secular and non-secular counseling, we can use evidence for forgiveness therapy. To guide us to freedom from negative emotions that keep us from being in a place of peace or being more like Christ. Works Cited Reed, G.L., & Enright, R.D. (2006). The effects of forgiveness therapy on depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress for women after spousal emotional abuse. Journal of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, 74(5), 920-929. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.74.5.920