Love, the spiritual wellspring of forgiveness: An example of spirituality in therapy

Abstract

This paper discusses how the spirituality of therapists, wittingly or not, colours their work, and how they need to use it mindfully whatever their school of therapy. How a therapist translates a spiritual perspective into a clinical approach is illustrated through the transcript of a clinical session in which family members discuss dealing with the hurts, angers and conflicts they experience with each other. If they are to forgive grievances sufficiently to attempt resolution and closeness, what principle about living should underlie their efforts? The therapist in the session floats the notion, springing from his own beliefs, that unconditional love will open up all doors to conciliation. If family members accept his position, it becomes the underlying spiritual premise for the work on their relationships.