Freedman

Session Title: Benefits of forgiveness for your emotional and physical well-being: What forgiveness is and is not and how to do it

Speaker: Suzanne Freedman, Professor, University of Northern Iowa

Watch the session: https://app.knowmia.com/tiKm

Session description: In recent years, forgiveness research, education, and therapy have received a great deal of theoretical and empirical attention. Past research illustrates the potential benefits of and interest in forgiveness as a way to heal from deep hurt and interpersonal conflict (Enright & Fitzgibbons, 2000; Legaree, Turner, & Lollis, 2007); however, misunderstandings and misconceptions about what it means to forgive are common. Forgiveness has benefits individuals, families, and society in general. In this presentation, Dr Suzanne Freedman, professor of Human Development at the University of Northern Iowa, will explain what forgiveness is and is not, the contexts surrounding forgiveness, and the value of forgiveness, address misconceptions about forgiveness and describe a model of forgiveness that can be incorporated into your life. What you will learn: · What interpersonal forgiveness is and is not, and what it means to forgive as well as how to forgive. · What forgiveness means from a psychological perspective. · What is involved in forgiving and how does it differ from reconciliation, pardon, excusing, and condoning. – The benefit of forgiveness to the forgiver, the forgiven, families, and society in general Who is this for? EVERYONE. And specifically… · Anyone who has been hurt deeply, unfairly and personally, especially if the anger from that hurt is affecting your relationships, your work, and/or your health. · Anyone who would like to make peace with another, either face-to-face or in your heart. · Anyone struggling with self-forgiveness. · Anyone who wants to teach their children how to forgive and the value of forgiving.

Bio:  Suzanne Freedman, PhD, is a Professor of Human Development in the Educational Psychology, Foundations, and Leadership Studies department at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delaware and both her master’s degree and PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She was the recipient of the APA Dissertation Award in 1993 for her groundbreaking research on forgiveness and incest survivors, published in 1996 in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Suzanne has been studying the topic of forgiveness for over 30 years and her publications focus on the psychology of interpersonal forgiveness and forgiveness education with children, adolescents, and adults. She has presented at numerous national and international conferences on the psychology of interpersonal forgiveness. At the University of Northern Iowa, she teaches a variety of courses including the Psychology of Interpersonal Forgiveness, Child and Adolescent Development, the Development of the Middle School Child and Counseling Interventions with Children and Adolescents. Suzanne Freedman is the recent author of the curriculum, The Courage to Forgive: Educating Elementary School Children About Forgiveness. For more information, please visit the website: International Forgiveness.