A Clinician's Guide to Helping Couples Heal from the Trauma of Infidelity

Abstract

Infidelity remains one of the most challenging issues encountered by both the couple involved and the clinician working with the couple. This article presents clinicians with a comprehensive frame of reference and practical guide to help organize their own thinking and increase the effectiveness of their clinical work with infidelity. The article begins with a broad definition of infidelity to initiate an analysis of various considerations around understanding the complex phenomenon of infidelity, then considers the role of the clinician in working with issues revolving around infidelity, and finally presents a summary of the tasks, responsibilities and concrete steps to be taken by both the involved partner and the hurt partner individually, as well as by the couple together, to facilitate the process of healing. In addition, Relationship Enhancement therapy is introduced as it serves as the broad therapeutic framework from which this therapist approaches working with all couples, including those dealing with the challenging issues involved in infidelity.

KEYWORDS:

• infidelity
• affair
• trauma
• healing
• forgiveness
• marriage
• relationship
• Relationship Enhancement therapy