Chicago Infidelity Counseling

Although it can take many different forms, infidelity is as simple as the breaking of a promise to remain faithful to a partner. The discovery of infidelity is often a deeply painful and devastating experience for both parties - they betrayed and the betrayer. Given the secretive nature of most affairs, statistics vary on just how often infidelity occurs, but it’s clear that cheating, or being cheated on, is not an uncommon experience. Infidelity raises many questions about whether or not one should stay or go, whether or not forgiveness is possible, and whether or not the relationship can be repaired. However, research indicates that the majority of couples who experience infidelity stay together. While this may seem counter-intuitive, it shows that recovery from infidelity is possible, but certainly not easy. Many couples, with hard work and dedication, are able to move forward with hope towards a stronger and healthier relationship.

Infidelity Counseling: Sexual Infidelity

Cheating can take many forms; affairs can be long-term relationships on their own, a habit of philandering, or something that “just happened one night.” Affairs may be sought out as a reaction to distress in the relationship, depression, or normal life-cycle transitions such as the birth of a child or the loss of a parent. In each case, the constellation of factors leading to sexual infidelity is different for each couple, as is the path to recovery.

Infidelity Counseling: Emotional Infidelity

While sexual infidelity often falls within clear-cut lines of what is and is not acceptable in a relationship, emotional infidelity is often less clear. Although it is not a new phenomenon, emotional cheating is receiving more and more attention in the media, likely due to the ubiquity of social networking and the ease with which one can tread into murky waters. Facebook makes it easy to reconnect with old flames, and the faux-proximity of the internet facilitates self-disclosure. Long hours at work can have the same effect between colleagues who may see each other as much as their own families. Emotional infidelity often begins innocently enough as a friendship that then turns personal; when one begins sharing private or intimate information about themselves or their relationship with another, they could be breaking their partner’s trust unknowingly.

Infidelity Counseling: Forgiveness

While many people think of infidelity as a complete dealbreaker, the reality is often far different. When faced with the option of saying goodbye to a partner you have built a life with, or doing the difficult work of rebuilding, many couples choose the hard work. The ultimate goal in recovering from infidelity is restoring trust to the relationship. However, this is difficult to achieve without forgiveness, which can be a long and arduous process itself.

While many couples may want to avoid the process of discussing the affair, it is important for the betrayed partner to understand what has occurred and why in order for the wounds to heal. There may also be a desire to move forward from the betrayal too quickly, which can also impede healing. Couples should keep in mind that the infidelity recovery process can often feel like a roller coaster, with plenty of ups and downs; however, the benefits of rebuilding your relationship can be well worth the ride.

If your relationship has been impacted by infidelity, contact Symmetry Counseling today.