Forgiveness

=== Therapeutic model===
People can unintentionally cause harm or offence to one another. It is important that individuals recognize when this happens, and, in the process of making amends, to self-forgive.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal | last1 = Fisher | first1 = M.L. | last2 = Exline | first2 = J.J. | year = 2010 | title = Moving toward self-forgiveness: Removing barriers related to shame, guilt, and regret | journal = Social and Personality Psychology Compass | volume = 4 | issue = 8| pages = 548–558 | doi = 10.1111/j.1751-9004.2010.00276.x }}</ref> The ability to forgive oneself can benefit a person's emotional and mental well-being.<ref name="Cornish Wade 2015">{{multiref2
|1={{cite journal | last1 = Cornish | first1 = Marilyn A. | last2 = Wade | first2 = Nathaniel G. | year = 2015 | title = A therapeutic model of self-forgiveness with intervention strategies for counselors | journal = Journal of Counseling & Development | volume = 93 | issue = 1| pages = 96–104 | doi = 10.1002/j.1556-6676.2015.00185.x }}
|2={{cite journal|first1=Nathaniel|last1=Wade|first2=Marilyn|last2=Cornish|title=How to forgive yourself|journal=Aeon|date=29 March 2023|url=https://psyche.co/guides/how-to-forgive-yourself-and-move-past-a-hurtful-mistake}}
}}</ref> The ability to forgive oneself for past offences can lessen negative emotions such as shame and guilt, and can increase positive practices such as self-kindness and [[self-compassion]].<ref name="Cornish Wade 2015" /> However, the process of self-forgiveness may be misinterpreted and therefore not accurately completed.<ref name=":0" /> This could lead to increased feelings of regret or self-blame.<ref name="Cornish Wade 2015" /> To avoid this, and to increase the positive benefits associated with genuine self-forgiveness, a specific therapeutic model of self-forgiveness can be used to encourage genuine self-forgiveness. The proposed model has four key elements: responsibility, remorse, restoration, and renewal:<ref name="Cornish Wade 2015" /> 
# Responsibility is the first necessary step towards genuine self-forgiveness.<ref name="Cornish Wade 2015" /> In order to avoid the negative affect associated with emotions such as overwhelming guilt or regret, offenders must first recognize that they have hurt another person, and accept responsibility for their actions.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Cornish Wade 2015" /> 
# Once the person accepts responsibility, it is natural for them to experience feelings of remorse or guilt. However, these feelings can be genuinely processed and expressed.<ref name="Cornish Wade 2015" /> 
# Restoration allows the offending person to make the necessary amends to the person(s) they have hurt.
# Is renewal, the offending person can genuinely forgive himself/herself for their past transgressions and can engage in more positive and meaningful behaviors such as self-compassion and self-kindness.<ref name="Cornish Wade 2015" /> 
The process of self-forgiveness is not always applicable for every person.<ref name="Cornish Wade 2015" /> For example, people who have not actually caused others any harm or wrongdoing, but instead suffer from negative emotions such as self-hatred or self-pity—such as victims of assault—might attempt self-forgiveness for their perceived offences. However, this would not be the process necessary for them to make their amends.<ref name="Cornish Wade 2015" /> Additionally, offenders who continue to offend while attempting to forgive themselves for past offences demonstrate a reluctance to genuinely complete the four stages necessary for self-forgiveness.<ref name="Cornish Wade 2015" /> It is important to first gather{{clarify|reason=who gathers?|date=July 2023}} exterior{{clarify|reason=exterior to what?|date=July 2023}} information about the persons's perceived offences as well as their needs and motivation for self-forgiveness.<ref name="Cornish Wade 2015" />