Infidelity & Betrayal
Navigating the break of trust in one of the most powerful relationships we can have.
Healing from Infidelity and Betrayal
The discovery of infidelity is often described as a "shattering" of one's world. The trust that forms the foundation of your relationship is suddenly replaced by a profound sense of betrayal, confusion, and emotional pain. Whether you are navigating the immediate aftermath of a discovery or are struggling with long-term "aftershocks," it is important to know that these feelings are a natural response to a deeply distressing event.
The Impact of Betrayal
The effects of a discovery of betrayal aren’t limited to the impact in the relationship - individuals that discovered infidelity report deep effects on their sense of self, self-worth and even their perception of reality. Many individuals report symptoms similar to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
These symptoms often manifest in ways like hyper-vigilance, in order to prevent the infidelity from happening again, deep emotional volatility ranging from intense anger to despair, insomnia, loss of appetite, exhaustion and recurrent intrusive thoughts about the events.
How Therapy can Help
You don’t need to have everything figured out for Therapy to help - whether you decide to do Individual Therapy or Couple’s Therapy, either method will provide you with a structured safe space where you will be able to understand if conditions are met to stay in the relationship or not. There’s a specific model used by Therapists for this stage of figuring out what to do, called Discernment Therapy.
How Therapy can help with Reconciliation
If the goal is to repair the relationship, therapy provides a structured framework to address the causes of this breach of trust, and the deep effects it has had on the individuals and the couple.
Couple’s therapy is essential here to facilitate honest communication, manage emotional triggers, and establish new "ground rules" for transparency.
Individual Therapy can help each partner process their own specific emotions (the betrayed partner works on healing the trauma, while the partner who was unfaithful explores the personal factors that led to the choice), ensuring that the decision to stay is based on growth rather than fear or habit.
How Therapy can help with a Healthy Separation or Breakup
If you decide that the relationship cannot or should not continue, therapy serves as a vital support system for a "conscious uncoupling." Individual Therapy helps you process the grief, reclaim your identity, and ensure the betrayal doesn't define your future relationships.
Interestingly, Couple’s Therapy can also be used during a breakup; it provides a neutral space to navigate the logistical and emotional complexities of parting ways. This is particularly helpful for maintaining a functional, respectful relationship if there are shared responsibilities, such as co-parenting, allowing for a transition that minimizes further collateral damage and promotes long-term healing for everyone involved.
Therapists in Peninsula Specialized in Infidelity and Betrayal
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Rita Figueiredo
CDA LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST AND MANAGING DIRECTOR
“Think of us as partners in discovery - using science and heart to understand your story and create lasting change.”
Portuguese, English,Family Therapy,Individual Therapy,Couples Counseling,Adults (18+),In-Person,Online,Motivational Interviewing (MI),Constructivist Therapy,Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT),Narrative Therapy,Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT),Systemic Therapy,Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT),Anxiety,Panic Attacks,Depression,Burnout,Chronic Stress,Physical Intimacy Issues, Communication ISsues,Infidelity and Betrayal,Relationship Issues,Divorce and Separation,Post-Partum Depression,Perinatal Mental Health,Infertility,Phobias,Addictions,Sleep Problems,Perfectionism,Conflict in Relationships,Family Conflict,Identity Concerns,Life Transitions,Personality Disorders,Expat Adjustment and Relocation Stress
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Ailien Sy
CDA LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST
“I believe that each person’s story is unique, and therapy should reflect that.”
English,Filipino,Individual Therapy,Adolescents (13-17),Adults (18+),In-Person,Online,Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT),Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT),Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT),Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT),Anxiety,Depression,Burnout,Communication Issues,Infidelity and Betrayal,Relationship Issues,Attachment Difficulties,Divorce and Separation,Childhood Trauma,Low Self-Esteem,Trauma,Grief and Loss,Emotional Regulation Difficulties,Low Self-Esteem/Self-Worth,Conflict in Relationships,ADHD/Neurodiversity,Identity Concerns,Life Transitions,Career Dissatisfaction,Personality Disorders
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Lauren Rozario
CDA LICENSED COUNSELLOR
“Together, we will work toward a space where you feel confident and ready to step into your power.”
English,Couples Counseling,Adults(18+),In-Person,Online,Systemic Therapy,Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT),Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT),Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT),Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT),Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS),Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT),Communication Issues,Infidelity and Betrayal,Relationship Issues,Divorce and Separation,Grief and Loss,ADHD/Neurodiversity,Post-Partum Depression,Eating Disorders,Substance Abuse,Perinatal Mental Health,Emotional Regulation Difficulties,Conflict in Relationships,Parenting Challenges,Identity Concerns,Life Transitions,Expat Adjustment and Relocation Stress
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Shrav Shankar
CDA LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST
“It's important for me to offer you a supportive space, where you can bring anything you'd like to, so that we can figure it out together.”
English,Individual Therapy,Couples Counseling,Adults (18+),In-Person,Online,Psychodynamic Therapy,Neuropsychology,Person-Centered Therapy,Art Therapy,Anxiety,Depression,Chronic Stress,Communication Issues,Relationship Issues,Attachment Difficulties,Childhood Trauma,ADHD/Neurodiversity,Trauma,Low Self-Esteem/Self-Worth,Conflict in Relationships,Identity Concerns,Life Transitions,Expat Adjustment and Relocation Stress
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Rebecca Cobb
CDA LICENSED COUNSELLOR
“Together we can rebuild a genuine connection with yourself and rediscover your sense of fulfilment and joy.”
English,Individual Therapy,Adolescents (13-17),Adults(18+),Anxiety,Panic Attacks,Depression,Burnout,Chronic Stress,Communication Issues,Infidelity and Betrayal,Pre-Marital Counseling,Relationship Issues,Attachment Difficulties,Divorce and Separation,Childhood Trauma,Grief and Loss,ADHD/Neurodiversity,School Refusal,Bullying,Behavioral Issues,Post-Partum Depression,Eating Disorders,Addictions,Substance Abuse,Perinatal Mental Health,Infertility,Trauma,Emotional Regulation Difficulties,Anger Difficulties,Low Self-Esteem/Self-Worth,Perfectionism,Conflict in Relationships,Parenting Challenges,Family Conflict,Body Image Concerns,Identity Concerns,Life Transitions,Career Dissatisfaction,Expat Adjustment and Relocation Stress,Personality Disorders,Systemic Therapy,Psychodynamic Therapy,Somatic Experiencing (SE),Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT),Person-Centered Therapy,Schema Therapy,Interpersonal Therapy (IPT),Art Therapy
