Therapy for Partner Betrayal

Discovering that your partner has been unfaithful and/or has a sex addiction can be an extremely traumatic experience.  Partners often report having the following symptoms upon discovery:

• Feel that their sense of safety and trust in the relationship has been shattered

• Feel angry and betrayed

• Feel shocked - that this could not possibly be happening to them

• Question if the whole relationship was a lie

• Engage in self-blame by wondering if they could have done something to prevent their partner’s behavior

• Leave the spouse without assessing if the relationship might be salvageable

• Develop anxiety, panic attacks, depression, nightmares, headaches, and/or pains

• Experience intrusive thoughts of real or imagined sexual acts of partner with others

• Cope by abusing alcohol, over eating, over spending, and/or engaging in other unhealthy behaviors

It is important to understand how the causes and recovery process are distinct for partners who have suffered infidelity versus having a partner with a chronic issue like sex addiction. For more information on the impact of sex addiction induced trauma on partners click here. Regardless of what is going on with your partner, there is support and healing for you too. You do not have to go through this alone.