Culturally Adapted Forgiveness Therapy for Addiction Recovery: Research and Implementation

• In Event: EDLC: interventions and the life course

Abstract

The impact of cultural contexts on therapeutic methods is profound and influential, necessitating careful consideration in mental health practice. This lecture explores a culturally adapted forgiveness therapy model, drawing from Enright's social scientific forgiveness therapy while incorporating elements from traditional wisdom and spiritual texts. Analyzing ancient scriptures and commentaries, we highlight transformative values related to forgiveness that can enhance therapeutic approaches. The lecture uncovers unique insights within these traditional texts, offering potential enhancements to existing psychotherapeutic approaches to forgiveness. The effectiveness of this therapeutic method is demonstrated through its implementation in the "Retorno" therapeutic community for addiction recovery in Israel, which operates within a framework that respects cultural and spiritual traditions. The presentation includes research findings from recent years, showcasing how individuals struggling with addiction underwent forgiveness therapy and experienced improved psychological well-being as evidenced by significant improvements in measures of anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and forgiveness attitudes, with effects maintained at follow-up assessments.

Author

• Yitzhak Ben Yair, Zefat Academic College