This article is part of a series exploring how unresolved childhood abuse can shape adult behaviors, making survivors vulnerable to leading secretive lives and engaging in infidelity. When early trauma goes unaddressed, the coping mechanisms developed in response to abuse often carry over into adulthood, influencing emotional intimacy, trust, and ..read more

Infidelity strikes at the core of trust, unraveling the fabric of a relationship and leaving behind a swath of deep pain, confusion, and upheaval. For the betrayed partner, the experience can feel like an overwhelming series of losses—not only the trust that was once shared but the relationship, the person ..read more

As a psychologist, I’ve worked with a great number of individuals and couples healing from the trauma of infidelity. Many have reported the importance of connecting with others who have endured this particular pain. Some have found that connection in online forums, support groups, or with someone they personally know who has healed from infidelity betrayal. Even through the confusion and… Source ..read more

Being the victim of an affair is like having the ground beneath you give way without warning. The emotional foundation you relied on crumbles, leaving you in a free-fall of confusion and pain. It’s not just the act of betrayal that cuts deep, but the profound loss of trust and emotional stability that wreaks havoc on your mental well-being. Anxiety often becomes a central… Source ..read more

Emotional pain is an inevitable aspect of the human experience, something we all encounter at some point in our lives. As we navigate this pain, we develop coping mechanisms to help us manage and alleviate our suffering. Some of these coping strategies are conscious and intentional, such as reaching out to a trusted individual for support, which can provide temporary relief and lessen our sense of… Source ..read more

Tanya and Marcus had been married for sixteen years when she learned of Marcus’s affair. The emotional fallout of an affair is immense. And for many, it includes feelings and behavior they never could have predicted—quite often, uncharacteristic behavior. This article will focus on what happens when painful curiosity about the affair partner turns into excruciating, ongoing obsession. We’… Source ..read more

Healing from infidelity is a complex and challenging process. As a couple attempts to rebuild post-affair, it is common for uncertainty to linger. One or both individuals may have doubts about whether rebuilding is feasible, or if it is even worth the painstaking work. As healing progresses, this uncertainty tends to fade, replaced by the tangible effects of dedicated affair recovery work. Source ..read more

It’s no exaggeration to say that infidelity is one of the most devastating things that can happen to a committed relationship, if not the most devastating. Successful intimate relationships are built on trust, and the betrayal of an affair shatters that trust. With patience and dedication and hard work on the part of the betrayed as well as the partner who cheated, many couples go on to… Source ..read more

Betrayal trauma is often oversimplified as a singular traumatic experience, yet its true nature is complex and layered. This complexity arises because betrayal trauma doesn’t end when the betrayal ends; instead, it initiates a series of complicated emotional reactions in the betrayed individual that unfold over time. The discovery of the betrayal initially sparks a wide range of overwhelming... Source ..read more

The lingering effects of childhood abuse can manifest in complicated ways, shaping how adult survivors of abuse see themselves and how they interact with others. Many survivors of childhood abuse adopt coping strategies to manage the psychological after-effects of the abuse, even if those strategies remain largely automatic or subconscious. For instance, as a means of self-protection... Source ..read more