Feeling pressured to forgive their offenders is a common reason trauma survivors avoid mental health services and support. Those who force, pressure, or encourage trauma survivors to forgive can unknowingly cause harm and sabotage their recovery. And such harm is entirely unnecessary–especially when research shows there is no consensus among psychologists, psychiatrists, and other professionals about whether forgiveness is necessary for recovery at all.
Amanda Ann Gregory, a licensed trauma psychotherapist with 17+ years of experience, specializes in complex trauma recovery. As both a clinician and trauma survivor, she offers unique insights in her book You Don’t Need to Forgive: Trauma Recovery on Your Own Terms. Gregory’s expertise is showcased in publications like Psychology Today and Psychotherapy Networker. Certified in EMDR and National Counseling, she’s a respected national speaker, with clients including the ACA, NAMI, and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Based in Chicago, she shares her home with her partner and their cat, Mr. Bojangles.
Subscribe to the Complex Trauma monthly newsletter and receive a FREE eBook, 25 Trauma and Anxiety Coping Hacks.
Subscribe to the Complex Trauma monthly newsletter and receive a FREE eBook, 25 Trauma and Anxiety Coping Hacks.