Let's consider spirituality
In regard to your January article, "Forgiveness Can Improve Mental and Physical Health," while I am encouraged the concept of forgiveness is being researched, I was disappointed that other than a brief mention of religion, spirituality was generally disregarded. Forgiveness, in my professional and personal experience of dealing with years of military service members returning from war, is a vital component to members overcoming their symptoms guilt, grief and loss. As psychologists, we often focus on symptoms, but forgiveness is more than a sum of symptoms. At the core of forgiveness is a spiritual center. To minimize this reduces forgiveness to an incomplete checklist. This may be helpful in research but is lacking when evoking real change. After a motorist ended my son's life I now know how lacking psychological protocols can be when it comes to the spiritual concept of forgiveness.
Andy M. Davidson, PsyD
Emerald Isle, North Carolina
Moving in the right direction
The Monitor continues to rock! The January Monitor cover story, "The Growing Refugee Crisis," really captures the reader's attention and focused on a relevant, mission-based problem where psychologists can make a positive difference. When I look at it, it speaks to APA moving in a positive, mission-based direction. Great job!
Diana L. Prescott, PhD
Hampden, Maine
On the stand
Having been trained by numerous judges to be a good witness, I have one thing to add to your January article, "Take the Stand": In your testimony stick to the facts and, if asked, how you arrive at your conclusions. Do not try to editorialize or steer the judge to do what you think should happen. The witness's job is to state facts and conclusions, the judge's job is to render judgment about the case at hand. Whether they're told directly or indirectly, judges strongly dislike being told by witnesses what determination they should make about a case.
Damon Tempey, PhD
Lebanon, Oregon
Please send letters to APA Monitor on Psychology Editor Sara Martin at smartin@apa.org. Letters should be limited to 175 words and may be edited for space and clarity.