Infidelity can be among the most painful and destabilizing life experiences. Ironically and surprisingly, the ensuing crisis in the relationship can become the opportunity for honest evaluation, open sharing, and improvement.
Counseling can help turn the crisis into this opportunity. Through repairing the betrayal, couples can look more deeply into their relationship and move it to a better place. My work with couples typically begins with addressing the betrayal. I work to help the injured partner express his or her pain. I then support the betrayer in responding to the pain. This begins the process of repair.
In time, I work with each couple to unravel the stresses and disconnects that may have been present before the betrayal. The counseling work then focuses on deepening each partner’s understanding of and response to each other’s needs.
Quite often, couples complete counseling with a deeper connection and stronger sense of knowing and caring and being there for each other.