About forgiveness
This page lists therapists who focus on forgiveness and related healing work. Browse therapist profiles below to compare their approaches, credentials, languages and experience.
What to compare in entries
| Credentials | A US state licence, or membership of a professional body such as BACP or NCPS. They are different kinds of thing; each profile shows what was supplied. |
|---|---|
| Focus | Whether forgiveness is listed as a main focus or among the wider list of areas. Entries show both. |
| Way of working | The approaches named on the entry. Two people working with the same concern can describe very different sessions. |
| Time in practice | Years in practice, as supplied. A fact to weigh, not a ranking. |
| Language | The languages sessions can be held in, where that matters to you. |
Common questions
How were these entries chosen?
Everyone listed on this page has forgiveness among the areas they told the platform they work with. They are not ranked, rated or endorsed by this directory, and the order is not a recommendation.
Do I need a referral to start?
No. You can contact a therapist through their entry directly. A GP referral is not required for independent online therapy.
What if the first therapist is not right?
Changing therapist is normal and expected, and can be done at any point. One session is a small sample of how someone works.
Entries for forgiveness
Angela Neary, BACP
Ref 109659
Experienced person-centred counsellor with practical support
Works with: Addictions, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingRoseanne Jackson, LCSW, LCSW-R
Ref 54688
Compassionate, practical help for big life stressors
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingCleo Irish Zorrilla, BACP
Ref 258501
Compassionate, practical counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingApril Lacey, LCPC
Ref 94106
Helping people find steady change and clearer paths
Works with: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingSiyue Zhang, AASW
Ref 243585
Calm, practical therapy focused on real-life change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Mandarin
View listingTiffany Whittington, LMFT
Ref 243569
Compassionate therapist offering practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDr. Wanetta "Nita" Hughes Bise, LPC
Ref 7050
Therapist focused on practical support
Works with: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Parenting Languages: English
View listingMary Smith Tyler, LCSW, CSW
Ref 170206
Supportive Georgia licensed social worker
Works with: Relationship, Family, Parenting Languages: English
View listingRose Walsh, LPC
Ref 325810
Practical, empathetic support for emotional recovery
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingAnastasia Seale, BACP
Ref 173105
Compassionate integrative counsellor for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Russian
View listingJennifer Hughes, NCPS
Ref 187476
Warm, practical therapy for stress and trauma
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMalak Alsaidi, LCSW
Ref 203999
Supportive New York LCSW focused on healing
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingYumi Lemaster, LCSW
Ref 2633
Skilled, practical therapy for real-life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingSorinthia Varnell, LPC
Ref 314722
Practical support for life changes and identity
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Grief Languages: English
View listingJanet Hardin, LCSW
Ref 55726
Practical, compassionate support for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Bipolar Languages: English
View listingMarni Tartack, LCSW
Ref 303765
Strength through practical steps
Works with: Grief, Self esteem, Depression Languages: English
View listingJonathan Wilkes, BACP
Ref 123145
Calm listening with practical skills
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Grief Languages: English
View listingNatalie Benjamin, BACP
Ref 254598
Warm, practical counselling for stress and mood
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingTeshane Wilson, LCSW
Ref 307908
Support for stress anxiety and family concerns
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingRoselyn Robertson, BACP
Ref 202372
Sensitive, practical counselling for life’s difficult moments
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingJonetta Wakely, LPC
Ref 124539
Practical, listening-focused counseling for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingCynthia Rumford-Jones, LCSW
Ref 101833
Calm practical therapist focused on progress
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Anger, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingJonathan Stuart, NCPS
Ref 175272
Practical, respectful support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingBianca Righetti, BACP
Ref 220095
Practical support for stress, anxiety and life change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingKianni Johnson, LMHC
Ref 279980
Practical therapy for strong emotions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Anger Languages: English
View listingBrittany Elledge, LPCC, LMHC
Ref 11729
Practical, client-centered support for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDawn Nunney, NCPS
Ref 97317
Compassionate person-centred counselling with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English
View listingWendi Makus, LPC
Ref 48129
Practical therapy for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingEmma Skoglund, LCSW
Ref 342061
Evidence-based guidance for relationships and trauma
Works with: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingBetty Adhokorie, BACP
Ref 118948
Practical support for stress, trauma and life change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingLiisa Hiltunen, PACFA
Ref 317033
Calm practical therapy with coaching focus
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDebbie Griffin, NCPS
Ref 183398
Calm guidance for stress and life change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingKatelyn McCrady, LPC
Ref 345230
Calm, practical counseling for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingCarol Broad, NCPS
Ref 128573
Calm, practical counselling for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English
View listingLaKeisha Blackwell, LPC
Ref 16819
Supportive counselor for stress and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Anger, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingShannon Mott, LCSW
Ref 108724
Compassionate, practical therapy for life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingJessica Sullivan, BACP
Ref 94142
Compassionate counsellor focused on practical change
Works with: Relationship, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJames Hagins, LPC
Ref 233524
Compassionate, practical therapy for life transitions
Works with: Grief, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingShawn Alyea, LPC
Ref 14872
Compassionate counselor guiding practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Intimacy-related issues Languages: English
View listingMelissa Upton, LPC
Ref 126683
Empathetic counselor focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Anger Languages: English
View listingJennifer Blaney-Sutton, BACP
Ref 225637
Collaborative psychotherapist for adult challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression Languages: English
View listingClaire Lewis, BACP
Ref 287880
Supportive person-centred counselling
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingRebecca Henderson, PACFA
Ref 342060
Practical, compassionate counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Parenting Languages: English
View listingDarwin Allen, LCPC
Ref 125869
Direct, practical counseling for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDr. Cassandra April, LCPC
Ref 44666
Compassionate, practical therapy for life's hard moments
Works with: Family, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingAnnie Taylor, NCPS
Ref 153305
Experienced client-centred counsellor
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingLisa McCormack, BACP
Ref 256148
Practical, compassionate therapy for anxiety and life change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingEthel-Caroline Miman, AASW
Ref 259803
Gentle, practical therapy for life’s big challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingMore about forgiveness
Understanding Forgiveness and Its Emotional Impact
Forgiveness is often described as an intentional process of shifting how you relate to a hurtful event or to someone who caused pain. It does not necessarily mean you excuse what happened or that you must reconcile with the person who harmed you. Instead, forgiveness can be a way of loosening the grip that resentment, anger and ongoing rumination have on your daily life. People come to forgiveness work with a wide range of experiences - from recent conflicts to long-standing wounds, betrayals, cultural or systemic harms, losses and regrets.
The emotional impact of forgiveness-related work varies. For some people, beginning this work brings relief and a clearer sense of what they value in relationships. For others, the process raises complex feelings such as grief, moral conflict, shame or renewed anger before it settles into something different. Forgiveness can change how you make decisions about boundaries and connection. It can also reshape how you tell the story of what happened and what you want going forward. Because the work touches on values, identity and relationships, it often requires careful pacing and attention to your emotional safety.
Signs You Might Benefit from Forgiveness-Focused Work
You might consider forgiveness-focused therapy if you notice patterns that interfere with your wellbeing or relationships. If you find yourself replaying a hurtful interaction repeatedly, feeling stuck in anger, or avoiding people or situations tied to the wound, these can be signals that the experience is unresolved. Persistent distrust, difficulty forming close relationships, or repeated conflicts that echo an earlier betrayal are other common reasons people seek support. You may also be coping with internal dilemmas - wanting to forgive but feeling guilty or believing that forgiveness would minimize the harm done. These mixed feelings are normal, and addressing them can help you make choices that align with your values.
Forgiveness work is not only for those harmed by others. You may be wrestling with forgiving yourself for past actions, decisions or perceived failures. Self-forgiveness often involves unpacking shame and reconciling your sense of who you are now with who you were then. Whether your focus is toward someone else or yourself, therapy can help you clarify what forgiveness would mean for your life, what limits you want to keep or set, and how to move forward in ways that feel honest and sustainable.
What to Expect in Forgiveness Therapy Sessions
When you begin forgiveness-focused sessions, expect the therapist to spend time understanding the story from your perspective, including the context and what the hurt means to you. Early work typically centers on building a space where you can explore emotions without pressure to reach a particular outcome. You and your therapist will likely map out what you hope to achieve - for example, decreasing intrusive thoughts, restoring a sense of agency, expressing boundaries, or repairing a relationship if that is appropriate for you.
Therapy often combines reflective conversation with practical exercises. You may be invited to explore the narrative you tell yourself about the event, examine underlying beliefs that keep resentment alive, practice emotion regulation skills, or rehearse difficult conversations. Some therapists incorporate role play or guided imagery to help you experiment with different responses. The pace is usually collaborative, so you can process anger and grief while also exploring small steps that build toward a different relationship with the memory. Ethical considerations, safety and respect for your choices about contact or reconciliation are central to the work.
Common Therapeutic Approaches Used for Forgiveness
Therapists draw from a range of approaches depending on your goals and preferences. Many people find cognitive and behavioral methods helpful for examining the thoughts that sustain anger or shame, so you may encounter therapists who list cognitive behavioral therapy among their approaches. If your experience involves trauma-related memories, you might find therapists who list EMDR among their approaches among those who work with memory processing techniques. Other practitioners bring narrative perspectives that focus on how the story of harm is constructed and how alternate narratives can open different possibilities for action. Mindfulness and compassion-focused practices are also common because they cultivate noticing, nonjudgmental awareness and self-directed kindness, which can be central to both forgiving and setting limits.
Acceptance and values-oriented approaches are often used to help you clarify what forgiveness would mean in the context of your values and life goals. Some therapists emphasize relational approaches that address patterns in family or intimate dynamics, helping you see how past hurts shape current interactions. It is common for therapists to combine elements from multiple frameworks, and you can look for profiles that describe the approaches you are curious about. Remember that profiles usually list approaches rather than verify training, so you can frame questions to learn how a therapist applies those methods in practice.
How Online Therapy Works for Forgiveness Work
Online therapy has become a common way to engage in forgiveness work, and it can offer flexibility if you prefer meeting from your home or another convenient location. Sessions frequently take place via video call, phone, or text-based messaging platforms. When you choose online work, it helps to plan a quiet, undisturbed space where you can speak freely and focus. You may also want to use headphones for clearer audio and to reduce the chance of being overheard. A stable internet connection makes video sessions smoother, though many therapists can adapt to phone sessions when needed.
Online therapy can make it easier to maintain continuity with a therapist if you move or travel, and it can broaden your options if you are seeking a counselor who speaks your language or who lists a particular approach. The same principles of rapport, pacing and mutual respect apply whether sessions are in person or remote. If you have questions about how someone conducts online sessions, you can look for profile details about session formats and the kinds of exercises they offer remotely. Many people find the combination of reflective conversation and at-home practice especially useful for forgiveness work because it lets you integrate insights into your everyday environment.
Tips for Choosing a Therapist for Forgiveness Work
Choosing a therapist is an individual process. Start by identifying what matters most to you - whether that is a therapist who has experience with relational wounds, someone who lists mindfulness or compassion-focused approaches, or a practitioner who shares your language and cultural perspective. Read profiles to compare focus areas, approaches, credentials and experience so you can form an initial sense of fit. Consider practical questions such as session length, typical meeting format and how a therapist describes their approach to boundary-setting and reconciliation.
When you reach out to a therapist, you can ask how they typically structure forgiveness-focused sessions and what kinds of exercises they might use. You might also inquire about how they navigate issues of safety and repair when the work touches on ongoing relationships. Trust your sense of whether you feel heard and respected in initial communications and whether their explanations align with your goals. Forgiveness is rarely a linear process, and a therapist who helps you clarify small, achievable steps while honoring your values can make the work more manageable. Ultimately, the right match is one where you feel able to explore difficult emotions and make choices that serve your long-term wellbeing.