Here's what the very best medical universities in the world have to say about the health benefits of forgiving others:
No. 1: The University of Oxford (Oxford, United Kingdom)
". . . forgiveness therapy reduces common mental health problems such as depression, stress and distress, and promotes positive emotions. . . group-based or individually delivered forgiveness interventions, using the Enright. . .model, and administering twelve or more sessions result in increases in psychological adjustment."
No. 2: Harvard University (Cambridge, Massachusetts - USA)

" Practicing forgiveness can have powerful health benefits. . . forgiveness is associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and hostility; reduced substance abuse; higher self-esteem; and greater life satisfaction. When you learn to forgive, you are no longer trapped by the past actions of others and can finally feel free."
(Cambridge, United Kingdom)

"When you initially forgive, it is like letting go of a hot iron. There is initial pain and the scars will show, but you can start living again."
(London, United Kingdom)

" Forgiveness is an emotion-focused coping strategy that can reduce stressful reactions to transgressions, thus lowering health risks and promoting health resiliency."
(Stanford, California - USA)

" Taking the long, easy way rather than the short, hard way is central to rational thinking (but) a ccepting and forgiving others reduces tension in (your) life. T o damn or condemn a human, including yourself, is immoral and encourages a continuation of health-related problems. Running from pain increases suffering. Learn to forgive."
(Baltimore, Maryland - USA)

" T he topic of forgiveness is simply universal, whether it’s forgiving someone else or yourself. We might all know that, and immediately relate to it, but what many of us don’t know is that forgiveness is good for our health. Holding grudges takes a physical toll."
NOTE: Universities listed above are ranked by the

Two members of the International Forgiveness Institute Board of Directors have been selected to re ceive an international award recognizing their Forgiveness Therapy research. Dr. Robert Enright , founder of the IFI, and Dr. Richard Fitzgibbons, MD , Director of the Institute for Marital Healing just outside Philadelphia, PA, have been named the 2019 recipients of the  Expanded Reason Award.

The prestigious award is presented annually by the University Francisco de Vitoria (Madrid, Spain) in collaboration with the Vatican Foundation Joseph Ratzinger -Benedict XVI (Rome, Italy) “to recognize and encourage innovation in scientific research and academic programs.” Only two researchers are selected for the award each year.

Drs. Enright and Fitzgibbons co-authored the book Forgiveness Therapy: An Empirical Guide for Resolving Anger and Restoring Hope.  The book, published by the American Psychological Association in 2015, signifies that Forgiveness Therapy is now rightfully taking its place alongside such historically accepted therapies as Psychoanalysis and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.


After 25 years and more than 30,000 guests, it was one man's definition of forgiveness that changed Oprah Winfrey's life. Watch Oprah's "Aha!" moment and listen to her reflect on what it truly means to forgive in this 2 min. 41 sec. video:


The International Foregiveness Institute (IFI) was incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 1994 -- exactly 25 years ago.

"We started with one idea: Forgiveness is important because it can quell unhealthy anger and improve mental health and relationships," says IFI founder Dr. Robert Enright. "Many are catching on to this idea. In fact, our scientifically-tested materials are being used In more than 30 countries around the world. In our humble opinion, forgiveness should now become a natural part of families, schools, organizations, and individual hearts for the good of humanity."