Fort Bragg, N.C. –Several service members spanning all ranks, along with Fayetteville community leaders, took part in the Forgiveness Counseling Training seminar led by renowned psychologist Dr. Everett Worthington, and leaders of XVIII Airborne Corps’ ministry team, at the All-American Chapel on Feb 3.

Dr. Worthington’s Forgiveness Counseling Training was a joint seminar that partnered with the XVIII Airborne Corps Behavioral Health Team, XVIII Airborne Corps’ Ministry Team, Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) providers, Military Family and Life Counseling (MFLC) counselors, and other local community ministry partners in the greater Fort Bragg area.

The seminar opened with a focus on the spiritual aspects of forgiveness. Maj. William Anderson, the 83rd Civil Affairs battalion chaplain, set the tone for the seminar expressing the importance of spiritual fitness before introducing Dr. Worthington.

Dr. Worthington is a retired Sailor who served in the U.S. Navy, a renowned author, professor emeritus at the Virginia Commonwealth University, clinical psychologist, and has been a pioneer in the study of the clinical effects of forgiveness and other virtues since 1990.

“Forgiveness is essential to spiritual health and mental well-being,” said Worthington. “Individual relationships and communities are impacted by resentment, bitterness, anger, and unforgiveness.”

During the seminar, Worthington told a personal account of his mother’s murder and how that trauma affected him and how he was able to employ his REACH forgiveness model to build resilience and cope with the loss. The REACH program is a five-step process that helps individuals deal with several behavioral health issues that they might encounter throughout their life.

The XVIII Airborne Corps has become a proponent and early adopter of the H2F program initiatives designed to optimize physical and holistic performance. This program puts people first and empowers soldiers to take charge of their health, fitness, and well-being.

Maj. Gen. Brian Mennes, deputy commanding general of XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, delivered remarks after Worthington and reaffirmed the Corps’ principles and explained how this program is vital to the overall well-being of those who serve.

The core beliefs of America’s Contingency Corps are to prepare Soldiers, civilians, and families to ensure that they are ready to deploy, fight, win, and survive/thrive; and to care for this group as they would their own families.

Mennes shared personal experiences on the importance of self-reflection and counseling and how important it has been throughout his military career.

“I know how powerful it can be,” shared Mennes. “You want people to get to that road of self-actualization. Forgiveness is a part of that.”

The event concluded with participants conducting group exercises in a collaborative setting, which helped reinforce the lessons taught through the seminar.

“Forgiveness is important because unforgiveness can impair readiness to serve in a way that’s optimal,” said Dr. Worthington. “It’s important that we practice virtues that help us be the most human we can be and serve in ways that are positive and not a drain on others.”

For more information on Dr. Everett Worthington and the REACH process check out his home page. HTTP://www.evworthington-forgiveness.com/