Most often, the betrayal seems insurmountable at first. Reactions are understandably strong and absolute; e.g., “I could never be with you again”. “I will always be angry and resentful”.
Healing and recovering from an affair does take time, but it is possible if both people are willing to do the work. How long it takes depends on a number of variables, but I have found on average that two years is a fair estimate. Obviously, for some, it takes longer, and others dig deep and work it out sooner. Much of it depends on motivation and willingness to listen and understand.
In the couples with whom I have worked successfully, the repair work actually improved the relationship beyond where it was prior to the affair. How so? Because they both deeply wanted the relationship to heal, they did the work. Telling the truth, no matter how painful. Taking responsibility. Listening to understand. Patiently answering questions over and over again. Compassion. Curiosity. Grace. Replacing negatives with positives. Choosing a response. Big things. Little things. Both people. Believing it could happen. And when it did, both people were able to acknowledge the other’s hard work. Ultimately, the repair work can lead to a deeper connection than ever before.
I most often recommend that couples read After the Affair, by Janis Abrahms Spring, Ph.D. The book is helpful in normalizing feelings and offering help in understanding what is going on on both sides. According to Spring, the recovery process is as follows:
Stage one: Normalizing feelings
- Reacting to the Affair
- Dealing with trauma and loss
- The unfaithful partner and choices
Stage two: Should we or shouldn’t we stay?
- Exploring what love means to you
- Confronting doubts and fears
Stage three: Rebuilding
- Learning from the infidelity
- Restoring trust
- Talking about what happened
- Sex again
- Learning to forgive
Regardless of whether or not the relationship can survive the rupture, we hopefully and eventually learn to forgive. This is possible when we are willing to let go of the armor that is anger and resentment. We learn that trust has a deeper and more rewarding meaning when we do the internal work of forgiving, and letting love flow again.
If you and your partner are struggling to recover from an affair, we're here to help. Check out our workshops and therapists!
This blog post was written by Jeannie Ingram, LPC-MHSP.
Jeannie Ingram is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Coach, and Consultant. In her role as psychotherapist, she specializes in couples therapy as a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist and Getting the Love You Want Workshop Presenter. In workshops and in therapy, she helps couples move beyond destructive, painful arguing to improve communication, restore their connection, live and love in more positive, fulfilling, satisfying relationships.
Jeannie assists individuals who need help improving ineffective patterns or managing life transitions to find positive change or growth.
She has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a Masters in Counseling from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, as well as a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University. Jeannie helps couples reconnect in her private practice in Nashville, TN, and through her Getting the Love You Want and Start Right, Stay Connected Couples workshops in the Southeast.
She loves cooking, writing, hiking, kayaking, and sailing. Most of all, she is dedicated to helping couples and individuals find joy, meaning, success and connection through the practice of mindful, purposeful living and loving.
