Betrayal trauma or infidelity can cripple and relationship. Afterwards, some individuals may stay together, while others will separate. Infidelity will often leave scars on the person who did not commit the specific betrayal-related behavior(s). So, the question becomes, how to move forward after betrayal trauma?
Betrayal trauma can shatter the stability of a relationship in a moment. These broken pieces may or may not be repaired in the future. For the person who was cheated on, many challenges may arise, whether you stay in the relationship or leave. These issues are noted below.
Increasing amount of self-doubt.
Questioning your actions and thoughts.
Rapidly shifting emotions.
Racing thoughts.
Self-esteem feels like it can’t go any lower.
Questioning your ability to trust yourself and others in the future.
Struggling with insecurities in life.
Worry about the future.
Some individuals may experience some of these internal processes all at one time, or they may ebb and flow. For someone in this place, the pain is real while their reality may seem unreal.
A major challenge people experience after infidelity is learning to trust themselves enough to be vulnerable in the same or a new relationship again. Part of this response is natural; our body is designed to protect us from harm, even though the pain is psychological and emotional. However, even infidelity can lead to trauma symptoms.
Trauma symptoms can lead to various forms of internal pain if left unhealed. Infidelity touches a person’s innermost insecurities and vulnerabilities. That’s what makes this type of betrayal so viscerally painful. Problems related to motivation, grief, and self-esteem all come together to interfere with the life you’ve worked so hard to create. Despite the pain, there is a way forward.
Infidelity can break fracture self-esteem and create a huge level of turbulence in someone’s life. There are many different activities that can help to begin healing. These can include more common activities, such as partaking in hobbies, meditation, working out or fitness, cooking healthy meals, etc. However, at times, healing from betrayal may also need professional therapy. Therapy near you can help you ground your emotions, shift your negative thoughts and repetitive thinking patterns, while supporting you to take steps towards your future.
How to Know You’re Healing
Healing from betrayal and/or infidelity will look different for every person. Some may notice better emotion regulation or less reactivity to emotions after they begin therapy, while others may feel a sense of relief by talking to a trained mental health provider. Â As individual therapy progresses, many people will experience their inner chaos begin to stabilize, healthier thoughts about oneself, the future, and an increase in their overall self-confidence. All these positive changes occur at their own pace, but individual therapy for betrayal trauma can help facilitate these changes faster.
Therapy is a great way for men to heal from infidelity. Don’t become trapped by insecurities, self-doubt, or raging emotions. Let’s find the peace and the path forward, together. You and your body can heal from this. And, as you heal, you’ll develop the self-confidence and inner trust to manage future challenges.
I am currently accepting new private pay clients in both Wisconsin and Colorado at this time. In-person therapy sessions work best for men who live near Southern Milwaukee, Franklin, Mount Pleasant, and Racine, Wisconsin, whereas virtual therapy is better suited for those who live throughout Wisconsin and Colorado.
Please call 720.295.6703 and leave me a voicemail or submit an online form by clicking here so we can get in touch. We’ll then schedule a free 15-minute consultation call to ensure we are a good fit to work together. If we both agree we’re a good fit, we’ll schedule our first session during this call. I greatly look forward to hearing from you.
