INFIDELITY RECOVERY

Trust is the foundation of a successful relationship.

Discovering or succumbing to infidelity can feel devastating to both the individuals and the relationship. Initially, many couples believe there is no recovery from it. Feelings of shock, anger, despair, disbelief, vulnerability, defensiveness, guilt and shame threaten the stability of daily life, and it can be very challenging to get any kind of perspective on the situation.

Couples counseling for infidelity can help!

While at the moment of discovery it’s hard to imagine, many couples not only recover from an affair, but actually improve their relationship as a result. They do this by gaining a deeper understanding of each other, creating agreements and finding ways to nourish their connection. Even if a couple ultimately decides to end the relationship, couples counseling helps them do so in a way that honors the relationship and each other and paves the way for a healthier relationships in the future.

Couples Counseling during a crisis usually includes three main stages:

Learning skills to navigate the initial crisis: Your counselor will help the betrayed partner learn how to handle intruding thoughts and feelings, making sense of the new information and feelings. For the partner who has had the affair, counseling can assist in learning how to stay open and non-defensive in the current situation so that both people can focus on what is important.

Understanding the context of the affair: Once the initial chaos has subsided, the couple is more capable of exploring the deeper meaning of the affair – why it happened, how, and what they can learn from it. This makes it easier to know what is possible for the relationship, and assists the couple in making the often difficult choice to stay together or to part ways. Even if a couple decides to separate, understanding the context of the affair can assist them in learning from the experience and in dissolving the relationship amicably.

Rebuilding trust and repair: Once a couple decides they want to rebuild their relationship, the counselor will assist the partner in expressing remorse or regret in a way that the other partner can receive it. We also examine larger relationship patterns that have contributed to the affair so that the couple can better understand each other’s needs and desires. Finally, we explore ways for the couple to create and sustain a more secure and connected relationship.

INTIMACY RECOVERY

Intimacy problems widely occur behind a variety of closed doors. Conflicts may include a loss of harmony between the sheets, a lack of sexual desire between either partners or failure in communication. There are often psychological factors that may contribute to a sexual disorder such as erectile dysfunction, or a lowered desire after a new mother has given birth. Intimacy issues are common, but if one or more become severe and there is no resolution in sight, it may be time to seek therapy for guidance. 

What Makes a Satisfactory Relationship?

•    Trust

•    Mindfulness

•    Mutual Respect

•    Communication

Some of the signs that sex problems are affecting a relationship include:

•    Disappointment in oneself or the relationship

•    One or both partners are feeling dissatisfied

•    Couples lack communication and disconnect from one another

•    One or both partners feel neglected or unwanted

•    A feeling of sexual boredom or unhappiness

Steps to take for treating intimacy issues begin with:

•    Psychosexual Therapy: this technique allows couples to express themselves in a safe environment with a trusted and supportive professional.

•    Relationship Counseling: healthy relationships require strong connections and time to build trust. Whatever the issue may be, a counselor can work with individuals together or separate to overcome the problem.