Forgiveness in Psychotherapy | A Conversation with Richard G. Erskine

In this conversation, Richard G. Erskine discusses one of psychotherapy’s most misunderstood topics: forgiveness. Drawing on more than five decades of clinical experience, he reflects on how his own understanding has evolved—from once describing forgiveness as a final stage of therapy to recognizing that forgiveness should never become a therapeutic goal. The conversation explores: Why forgiveness cannot be taught or prescribed The difference between forgiveness and excusing harmful behavior Why some traumatic experiences may never require forgiveness Letting go of resentment while still holding people accountable Self-forgiveness and genuine responsibility What therapists can learn when clients resent previous therapists Forgiveness as an outcome of integration rather than an intervention This interview is part of the Harmony Institute Conversations, a series of dialogues exploring psychotherapy, trauma, relational healing, and clinical practice. Interviewer: Ashkan Anbarzadeh #Psychotherapy #Forgiveness #RichardErskine #IntegrativePsychotherapy #TraumaTherapy #TransactionalAnalysis