We all have the potential to act in ways that contradict our own values, and in doing so, undertake actions that can be damaging to ourselves and, potentially, others. Yes, even “good” people can make “poor” behavioral choices. These self-contradictions can be difficult to make sense of and are often
Guide to Surviving Infidelity
If you’re in an intimate relationship devastated by infidelity, you know the feeling of the solid relationship ground you’ve come to rely on suddenly turning to quicksand under your feet. You are likely reading this article because you’re struggling with this incredibly disorienting and painful experience, and you’re at a
The Shame of the Cheating Spouse
Eric’s marriage didn’t survive his infidelity. After attempting to recover from his affair for over two years (attempts that included infidelity counseling, affair recovery workshops and reading numerous books on healing betrayal trauma), Eric and his wife Cassandra made the painful decision to end their marriage. Before then, the couple
Obsessive Thoughts After Infidelity
“I think I’m losing my mind, I keep thinking about Lee’s affair and what he did. I’m flooded with a thousand questions about why he cheated and what they did together. I can’t turn it off.” Samantha shared her frustration in one of our infidelity counseling sessions. The spiral of
Betrayal Trauma Recovery
Merriam-Webster defines betrayal as being “treacherously abandoned, deserted, or mistreated.” While there are different kinds of betrayals that lead to different emotional outcomes, often the betrayed is left in an overwhelming state of emotional distress due to the actions of a loved one. Disorienting shock waves can continue long after