How to Forgive Someone Who Traumatized You

Helping you work through your pain and move forward

Co-authored by Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: March 26, 2024 Fact Checked

When you’re struggling with the aftermath of abuse and trauma, forgiveness may be the last thing on your mind. On the surface, it may seem like a cheap way to completely absolve your past abuser or tormenter of their wrongdoings, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Forgiveness isn’t about erasing the past, but, rather, erasing the resentment, anger, and negativity that a person from your past may have over you. Above all, forgiveness is a choice that only you can make—and with the help of clinical psychologists and counselors, we’ll help you embark on this worthwhile journey.

How can I forgive someone who hurt me deeply?

Acknowledge the trauma and pain that you’ve experienced so you can start to make peace with what happened.
Jot down your feelings in a journal to explore them more deeply, and ponder what forgiveness could do for you.
Try to empathize with the person who hurt you (without excusing or downplaying the severity of their actions).
Choose to forgive someone when you’re ready, and acknowledge that forgiveness is an ongoing process.

1

Accept what happened so you can move forward.

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Accepting trauma doesn’t mean excusing it or forgetting it. Clinical Psychologist Asa Don Brown advises making sure you recognize that something traumatizing happened to you and that you are still feeling a range of emotions about it.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS
Clinical Psychologist

Expert Interview. 3 February 2022.} Acceptance allows you to make peace with what happened, which can help you forgive the person for your own benefit.^{[2]
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Research source}
- Try not to explain it away, and don’t make excuses for the person who traumatized you. It might help to say it out loud, like, “I’ve been traumatized by this person, and I need to work through that.”
- Professional Counselor Rachel Eddins emphasizes how important it is to “acknowledge your emotions and what you are feeling. Don’t be afraid to feel your emotional pain, like hurt, sadness, and even anger. Identifying your feelings helps you regulate them, and prevents you from pushing them down in an unhealthy way.”^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Rachel Eddins, M.Ed., LPC-S
  Licensed Professional Counselor
  
  Expert Interview. 23 March 2022.}

2

Give yourself time to process everything.

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You probably won’t be able to forgive someone right away. It takes time to grieve and process everything after experiencing a trauma, according to Brown.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS
Clinical Psychologist

Expert Interview. 3 February 2022.} There’s no set timeline for how long it might take to work through your feelings. Go as slowly or as quickly as you’d like to.^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} Eddins explains that it’s important to “soothe your hurt feelings and give yourself compassion for what you’re going through.”^{[6]
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Expert Source

Rachel Eddins, M.Ed., LPC-S
Licensed Professional Counselor

Expert Interview. 23 March 2022.}
- It's normal to feel sad, angry, and confused after a traumatic incident.
- You don’t need to get rid of these feelings altogether before you’re ready to forgive someone. Forgiveness is a decision, not an emotion, according to clinical psychologist Evan Parks.^{[7]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Evan Parks, PsyD
  Licensed Clinical Psychologist
  
  Expert Interview. 26 October 2021.}
- Parks advises thinking about what forgiveness means to you so you'll know what you're working toward. For instance, you may give up the idea that they need to pay for what they've done so you can stop ruminating on it.^{[8]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Evan Parks, PsyD
  Licensed Clinical Psychologist
  
  Expert Interview. 26 October 2021.}

3

Write your feelings in a letter or journal.

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Putting your emotions into words can help you navigate them. Brown recommends that you sit down and write about what you used to feel, how you feel now, and what you think forgiveness will give you.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS
Clinical Psychologist

Expert Interview. 3 February 2022.} Keep the letter private and don’t show it to anyone else.^{[10]
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Research source}
- Forgiveness can be really cathartic, and it can help you let go of feelings like sadness and anger.

4

Talk it through with a friend.

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A third-party opinion can help you work out how to forgive someone. If you have anyone close enough that you trust with this info, have a conversation with them about what happened and why you’re trying to forgive the person now. They may be able to give you advice, but they can also just be a listening ear.^{[11]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- If you don’t want to talk with a friend about it, consider opening up to a mental health professional.

5

Empathize with the person, if possible.

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Try to see things from their perspective. If you were in their position, would you have done something similar? Even if you can’t put yourself in their shoes entirely, seeing it from their point of view can make it easier to forgive them. You might gain a little insight into why they did what they did, which could help you understand them.^{[12]
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Johns Hopkins Medicine
Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital

Go to source}
- For instance, maybe the person who hurt you was under extreme stress at the time. Or, maybe they didn’t know how to express themselves so they took their emotions out on you.
- This doesn’t excuse what they did, nor does it mean that you think it was right. Understanding their perspective can simply help you move forward and let go of the pain they caused you, according to Brown.^{[13]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS
  Clinical Psychologist
  
  Expert Interview. 3 February 2022.}
- Eddins agrees that it’s important to “extend empathy and compassion” to the person who hurt you. “Practicing compassion acknowledges your humanity—it doesn’t mean you agree with their hurtful behavior.”^{[14]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Rachel Eddins, M.Ed., LPC-S
  Licensed Professional Counselor
  
  Expert Interview. 23 March 2022.}

6

Be patient with yourself.

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Forgiveness isn’t going to happen instantly. Try to remember that forgiveness is a multi-step process that could take a long time. Even when you decide to forgive someone, you might still have some work to do to get there.^{[15]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Try to be kind to yourself throughout the entire process, and don’t hold yourself to any unrealistic standards.

7

Let go of any expectations you might have.

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Offering forgiveness doesn’t necessarily mean the person will change. When you choose to forgive someone, you should do it for yourself. Forgiveness might help improve your relationship or offer the other person some relief, but it’s not guaranteed. Don’t expect the other person to give you an apology or change their behavior, since you could end up disappointed.^{[16]
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Trustworthy Source

Johns Hopkins Medicine
Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital

Go to source}
- Forgiving someone can often improve your relationship with others, since working through trauma usually changes you for the better.
- Eddins encourages people to “let go of the hurt or anger” they may feeling, as it doesn’t “serve them in the long run. Forgiveness sets you free.”^{[17]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Rachel Eddins, M.Ed., LPC-S
  Licensed Professional Counselor
  
  Expert Interview. 23 March 2022.}

8

Decide whether or not to tell the person you forgive them.

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It may be in your best interest to keep your forgiveness to yourself. If the person who traumatized you hasn’t shown any remorse or even said they’re sorry, they might not react well to you telling them you forgive them. On the other hand, if they’ve apologized to you and you’d like to reconcile your relationship, it might be worth approaching them.^{[18]
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Trustworthy Source

Johns Hopkins Medicine
Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital

Go to source}
- If you haven’t contacted the person who traumatized you in a while, there’s no need to do so just to tell them you forgive them. Talking to someone like that can put more stress on you than it’s worth.
- Parks notes that you don't have to have a relationship with this person just because you forgave them—especially if they haven't changed the behavior that hurt you in the first place.^{[19]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Evan Parks, PsyD
  Licensed Clinical Psychologist
  
  Expert Interview. 26 October 2021.}
Expert Answer

Q

Is it good to forgive and forget?

Evan Parks, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Evan Parks is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. With over 25 years of experience, he specializes in helping people manage chronic pain through the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Approach at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. He also has experience working with others on topics ranging from stress management to mental flexibility. Dr. Parks is also the author of Chronic Pain Rehabilitation: Active Pain Management That Helps You Get Back to the Life You Love. Dr.Parks holds a BA in Theology from Cedarville University, an MA in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University, and a PsyD in Clinical Psychology from The Forest Institute of Professional Psychology.

EXPERT ADVICE

Answer from Evan Parks, PsyD:

Forgiveness is good, but it doesn't actually mean forgetting what happened and never thinking about the problem again. When we forgive, we are willing to carry with us the pain another person has caused without wishing for them to suffer as we have suffered. Forgiveness is not a one-time act but something we continually do.

9

Make your boundaries clear.

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Clear boundaries can help prevent future incidents with this person. If you’re still in contact with the person who traumatized you, make sure they know that just because you forgave them doesn’t mean they can hurt you again. Set your own boundaries and stand up for yourself if they’re being violated.^{[20]
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- You might want to limit contact with this person, at least initially. For instance, if you used to see them in person often, stick to phone calls and text messages for now.
- In cases of severe trauma, you may need to cut contact with them for good. Forgiveness is something you can do on your own without talking to the other person at all.
- You could also remind the person that you forgave them once, but you might not be able to forgive them again.

10

Talk to a mental health professional for support.

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If you’re wracked with feelings of anger, sadness, or guilt, a therapist can help you work through your emotions in a healthy way. They can also help you figure out the best way to forgive someone who has hurt you in the past without sacrificing your own values or beliefs.^{[21]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}

Forgive & Move Past Betrayal With This Expert Series

It's hard to restore trust once it's been shattered, but it is possible. We've put together this expert series to help you move past betrayal and find the courage to forgive, rebuild, and move on.

1

Forgive Someone Who Lied to You

2

Rebuild Trust

3

How to Forgive Someone Who Traumatized You

4

Confront Someone Who Has Hurt You

5

How to Spot a Liar in a Relationship: 15 Ways to Tell

6

Deal With Betrayal

Expert Q&A

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Add New Question

Question

Does forgiveness heal trauma?

Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Asa Don Brown is a Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years of experience. He specializes in working with families, children, and couples, treating a variety of psychological disorders, trauma, and abuse. Dr. Brown has specialized in negotiation and profiling. He is also a prolific author having published three books and numerous articles in magazines, journals, and popular publications. Dr. Brown earned a BS in Theology and Religion with a minor in Marketing and an MS in Counseling with a specialization in Marriage and Family from The University of Great Falls. Furthermore, he received a PhD in Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Psychology from Capella University. He is also a candidate for a Masters of Liberal Arts through Harvard University. Dr. Brown is a Fellow of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and a Diplomate for the National Center for Crisis Management and continues to serve a number of psychological and scientific boards.

Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS

Clinical Psychologist

Expert Answer

Definitely! Forgiveness has the ability to allow healing to occur and let the wound transform into a scar, which is a reminder of a wound that is no longer festering and capable of causing you pain.

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Question

Why is forgiveness so very important?

Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Asa Don Brown is a Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years of experience. He specializes in working with families, children, and couples, treating a variety of psychological disorders, trauma, and abuse. Dr. Brown has specialized in negotiation and profiling. He is also a prolific author having published three books and numerous articles in magazines, journals, and popular publications. Dr. Brown earned a BS in Theology and Religion with a minor in Marketing and an MS in Counseling with a specialization in Marriage and Family from The University of Great Falls. Furthermore, he received a PhD in Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Psychology from Capella University. He is also a candidate for a Masters of Liberal Arts through Harvard University. Dr. Brown is a Fellow of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and a Diplomate for the National Center for Crisis Management and continues to serve a number of psychological and scientific boards.

Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS

Clinical Psychologist

Expert Answer

The consequences of leaving something unforgiven not only affects you, but the people around you. When you retain resentment for someone else, you end up containing anger, hostility, and a barrage of emotional wounds that are left unhealed. Pain that's left unchecked can manifest into a variety of physiological and psychological disorders—likewise, pain left unchecked can have an effect upon your perceptions and worldviews, which in turn has an effect on the people who are in your inner circle.

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Question

What to do when you don't want to forgive someone?

Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Asa Don Brown is a Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years of experience. He specializes in working with families, children, and couples, treating a variety of psychological disorders, trauma, and abuse. Dr. Brown has specialized in negotiation and profiling. He is also a prolific author having published three books and numerous articles in magazines, journals, and popular publications. Dr. Brown earned a BS in Theology and Religion with a minor in Marketing and an MS in Counseling with a specialization in Marriage and Family from The University of Great Falls. Furthermore, he received a PhD in Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Psychology from Capella University. He is also a candidate for a Masters of Liberal Arts through Harvard University. Dr. Brown is a Fellow of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and a Diplomate for the National Center for Crisis Management and continues to serve a number of psychological and scientific boards.

Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS

Clinical Psychologist

Expert Answer

Think about what a lack of forgiveness means for you in the long term. If you feel this way, you're holding onto pain that will have a deep impact on your life. Forgiveness allows your grudges, bitterness, and resentment to go away, which allows you to come to a place of peace and personal acceptance. Remember—forgiveness doesn't allow someone to get away with what they've done; instead, it allows those painful events to be removed from your mind and body.

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