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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Feb. 28, 2019) —Dr. Everett Worthington¸ Commonwealth Professor Emeritus at Virginia Commonwealth University and clinical psychologist, will present two lectures on forgiveness at Milligan on Tuesday, March 12. Worthington will speak during Milligan’s convocation service at 11 a.m. in the Mary B. Martin Auditorium in Seeger Chapel and in Hyder Auditorium at 7 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.
Worthington has committed his career to researching and writing about forgiveness as it relates to justice, faith, virtue, marriage and family. While Worthington began studying forgiveness scientifically in 1990, his research interest became personal following the 1996 murder of his mother. He continues to make it his mission to help individuals, couples and families, communities, and countries forgive.
Worthington has published numerous books, articles and scholarly chapters on forgiveness, humility, positive psychology, religion and spirituality, marriage, and family topics. Most notably, Worthington developed the REACH Forgiveness model and other positive psychological interventions.
For Dr. Joy Drinnon, professor of psychology, Worthington’s visit is a reunion, as she met Worthington while working on her dissertation at the University of Tennessee.
“I am excited for our students to learn from this world-renowned expert on forgiveness,” said Drinnon. “I encountered Dr. Worthington as a doctoral student and am currently using one of his books with our graduate students in counseling. It will be beneficial for them to interact and hear from him directly on a topic we are discussing.”
Seminar for Mental Health Professionals
Worthington also will lead a one-day seminar, “Understanding Forgiveness and Using REACH Forgiveness in Your Practice,” for mental health professionals and students on Wednesday, March 13, in the Thompson Community Center.
The seminar will define two types of forgiveness, outline the five steps to REACH forgiveness, recognize six steps for self-forgiveness, and identify how forgiveness can be used with the practice of counseling and psychotherapy.
“This event is a great resource for clinicians and school counselors in our community, as well as an opportunity to receive continuing education credits,” said Dr. Christine Browning, associate professor of counseling. “Worthington has personal experience with the theories he has developed on forgiveness, and this makes for a powerful presentation.”
Interested participants can register online at www.milligan.edu/msc. The cost of the conference is $50 and six hours of CE credit are available for an additional $25. Students may register for the seminar at the discounted rate of $25. Lunch is provided.
This program has been approved by The National Board for Certified Counselors for NBCC credit. The Milligan College Master of Science in Counseling program is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. NBCC Approval No. SP-3266.
For more information, visit www.milligan.edu/arts.