Worthington is a clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University. Worthington teaches the principles of forgiveness and reconciliation to family counselors organized around a six-step method along what he calls the Bridge to Reconciliation. Forgiveness and reconciliation are slightly different concepts, he claims. Forgiveness is an emotional replacement that superimposes empathy and love on top of emotional contaminants so that they can be dissolved.
Reconciliation is the restoration of trust in a relationship where trust has been damaged.
It depends on us and is not always instantaneous like forgiveness, which depends more upon me. Most reconciliation is implicit, not explicit, says Worthington. People often find other ways to repair breaches through contacts in other areas of life. These often preclude the need for formal counseling. Bridges are not built in mid-air but from both sides of the divide.