Infidelity counseling is a specialized therapeutic approach designed for couples grappling with the aftermath of one or more partner’s infidelity. It offers a nurturing and non-judgmental environment where both individuals can delve into the underlying reasons behind the breach of trust, openly express their feelings, and collaboratively strive to mend their relationship. The overarching objective of infidelity counseling is to either facilitate a path to reconciliation, should both partners desire it, or guide them through the process of separation or divorce with clarity and empathy.
Infidelity counseling combines various therapeutic techniques, such as individual and couples therapy, cognitive behavioral approaches for changing destructive thought patterns, communication skills training for conflict resolution, Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) to rebuild trust, narrative therapy to reframe relationship narratives, and mindfulness practices for managing intense emotions. These methods work together to foster self-awareness, emotional healing, and the reconstruction of trust, leading to a healthier, more resilient relationship.
The number of sessions needed for infidelity counseling can greatly vary based on the specific needs of the individuals or couples involved and the complexity of the issues being addressed. Thriveworks infidelity counseling in Media, PA typically includes multiple sessions spanning from several weeks to several months, with the exact number of sessions decided in consultation with the therapist while considering the progress made during therapy and the therapeutic goals.
Counseling for Infidelity in Media, PA—Adultery, Affairs, and Cheating
Whatever term people use—cheating, adultery, or infidelity has major repercussions for the whole family. Discovering that a partner has had an affair is usually a traumatic time, and couples can need a professional’s help to navigate the affair, whether they pursue divorce or reconciliation.
The counselors at Thriveworks Media, PA know how bewildering adultery can be, and they have supported many couples as they find their way toward a healthy relationship again, regardless of what a healthy relationship means for them. if you could benefit from talking to an infidelity counselor, reach out to Thriveworks Media. We’re here to help.
What Is Infidelity?
Cheating may seem like a simple idea: the implicit or explicit expectations for a committed relationship were broken. But anyone who has lived through infidelity knows that reality is more complicated. To help their clients understand, therapists sometimes group affairs into three kinds:
- Emotional affairs – More than being friends, emotional affairs hinder a person’s ability to connect with their spouse, even though they do not involve sexual activity. Emotional affairs happen when a person builds a deep, emotional connection with a person who is not their spouse or partner. The connection, while not physical, may still involve fantasy, flirting, secrets, and innuendo.
- Sexual affairs – Many affairs involve one-night stands, pornography addiction, visits to prostitutes, and other sexual activity with little to no emotional connection. With some sexual affairs, the spouse committing adultery may also have a sexual addiction.
- Emotional and sexual affairs – When an affair involves a long-term relationship, there are often sexual and emotional elements to it.
How Might Infidelity Counseling Help?
Thriveworks counselors have provided support and wisdom for many clients whose relationships were harmed by infidelity. They have taught many couples the interpersonal skills they need to overcome a painful season. For some couples, overcoming means seeking a divorce. For others, it means pursuing reconciliation. Either way, counseling may help both spouses find healing after an affair.
What does counseling address? There are many elements and goals that Thriveworks counselors may incorporate into their treatment plan for infidelity. Each client’s treatment plan is tailored for their specific needs and goals, but a treatment plan may include …
- Facilitating Communication — In the aftermath of an affair, communication can completely disintegrate. A couple may coldly ignore each other or speak with hot anger. While these options are completely understandable, they are not helpful for either spouse. A marriage therapist can facilitate healthier ways of communicating.
- Clarifying Goals — A couple may know they want a divorce, a separation, or reconciliation, but often times, one or both spouses do not know what they want. Marriage therapy can help clarify the relationship’s goals and then adjustment them as necessary when the relationship grows or stagnates.
- Earning Trust — By definition, adultery breaks trust. The spouse who committed adultery may have to address behaviors so that they can earn trust. The uninvolved spouse may need to form boundaries that can help them trust again. A marriage therapist can guide a couple toward achieving the amount of trust their relationship will need for the future.
Scheduling Infidelity Counseling at Thriveworks Media, PA
Infidelity is a sensitive wound and reaching out for help may be the right next step, but it is often a difficult decision to make. If you are thinking about starting counseling because you or your spouse has had an affair, know that Thriveworks Media, PA understands the difficulty you are facing. We want to earn trust and help—from the moment you first call to make an appointment.
Do you want to start healing from infidelity? Scheduling an appointment may be an important step toward your relational goals. Call today. We offer evening and weekend sessions, and we accept most major insurances.
