Gratitude as a Psychotherapeutic Intervention

2013/06/17 by Robert A. Emmons, Robin Stern · 366 citations
Psychology · #COVID-19 and Mental Health #Gratitude #Intervention (counseling) #Mental health #Psychiatry #Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction #Psychology #Psychotherapist #Resilience and Mental Health #Social psychology

paper · doi:10.1002/jclp.22020

published in Journal of Clinical Psychology 69(8), 846-855 (Wiley)

openalex publication_date 2013/06/17 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

Gratitude practice can be a catalyzing and relational healing force, often untapped in clinical practice. In this article, we provide an overview of current thinking about gratitude's defining and beneficial properties, followed by a brief review of the research on mental health outcomes that result from gratitude practice. Following an analysis of our case study of the use of gratitude as a psychotherapeutic intervention, we present various self-strategies and techniques for consciously choosing and cultivating gratitude. We conclude by describing ways in which gratitude might be capitalized upon for beneficial outcomes in therapeutic settings.

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