Betrayal and Infidelity

Finding Healing and Hope

Infidelity and other forms of betrayal can destabilize a relationship quickly. Trust is disrupted, emotions can become intense, and both partners may feel uncertain about what happens next.

You may be dealing with an affair, secrecy, dishonesty, or another significant breach of trust. The discovery may be recent, or you may still be struggling with something that happened months or years ago. You may want to repair the relationship but feel unsure whether trust can be rebuilt or how to begin.

Understanding the Impact of Betrayal

From an attachment perspective, betrayal can create a significant injury to the bond between partners. The person who was a source of security may suddenly feel unsafe or unpredictable.

The betrayed partner may experience anger, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, heightened vigilance, or a strong need for information and reassurance. The partner who caused the injury may experience guilt, shame, defensiveness, or uncertainty about how to respond. These reactions can create a cycle that makes recovery more difficult.

How I Help

Using Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) and an attachment-based approach to betrayal, I help couples understand the impact of what happened and begin rebuilding emotional safety.

We work on slowing down reactive patterns, creating space for accountability and honest conversation, and helping both partners understand what is needed for repair. When appropriate, I use the Attachment Injury Repair Model to help couples address the specific relational injury created by the betrayal.

For couples recovering from infidelity or significant betrayal, I also offer a structured treatment protocol that includes individual therapy as part of the couples therapy process. This approach is designed for couples who want to try to repair their relationship, without pressure to make a particular decision or reach a predetermined outcome. It allows each partner to address important aspects of the betrayal individually while supporting the couple in understanding what happened, rebuilding trust, and determining what moving forward looks like for them.

What Can Change

Healing after infidelity or betrayal takes time, and rebuilding trust requires more than deciding to move forward.

With therapy, couples can begin to understand what happened, address the emotional impact of the betrayal, and develop a more secure and responsive relationship. For many couples, trust can be rebuilt and the relationship can become stronger, more honest, and more connected over time.