외상 피해자의 무력감 회복을 위한 용서 프로그램의 상담적 개입

Intervention of forgiveness program for the recovery of powerlessness of PTSD victims -facilitating journal therapy for emotional expression-

The study of PTSD was accelerated around 1970 when vetrans from Vietnam War returned. Nowadays trauma category is extended to the issues of neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and inequality caused by the differences of race, gender, age, culture, religion, legal status,social status and other factors. Viewing from this changed perspective of trauma and PTSD, our diagnosis and treatment should be different from those of the past because trauma victims are not limited to some special population. Also we can find that many people around us are suffering from PTSD, therefore understanding and caring them appropriately would be an important job in the area of pastoral care. In the treatment of PTSD victims,multifaceted approaches are used. Psychoanalytical approach, cognitivebehavioral approach, family and couple therapy, EMDR, group therapy, and spritual approach etc. This study is focused on the effects of forgiveness therapy in the recovery of powerlessness of PTSD victim. Forgiveness, as the essence of Christianity, can be defined as the surrender of the rights for revenge to God’s hand. Forgiveness has a magnificient healing power in mind, body, spirit and relationships with God and people. Scientifically it has been proved that physical, psychological and relational health were improved after the victims decided to forgive perpetrators. In spite of a great healing power of forgiveness, it is not easy to forgive. There can be obstacles to prevent people from experiencing the healing power of forgiveness. They are misconceptions about forgiveness as follows;forgiveness is forgetting, forgiveness is restoration or reunion, forgiveness is an act of weakness, and forgiveness is an event. Therefore, forgiveness education can be an important bridge to help victims to move to the decision of forgiveness. Forgiveness is not an event but a process. Forgiveness specialists define that it has several stages or dimensions. In Christian community, it is likely to emphasize the decision phase of forgiveness too much. As a result, emotional expression through remembering and mourning the loss is neglected. When truma victims express and accept their repressed negative emotions, relating to their trauma, they can move to the decision phase of forgiveness more easily. Emotional inhibition results bad impacts on body, mind, sprit and relationships. Expressive writing helps trauma victims to re-experience the trauma and re-interprete it. Journal as the safest place for victims to express their emotions and thoughts, it can be an effective tool to help trauma victims to continue the journey of forgiveness.