Recovering from an Affair

Couples often describe dealing with infidelity as one of the most challenging situation they have had to face in their relationship. As a result, a question that is frequently asked by couples after one or both partners have been unfaithful in a relationship is “can our relationship survive infidelity?” Based on Clinical research the answer is “yes, couples can survive infidelity”. A relationships can be rebuilt, grow, and be even stronger than it was before. However it is also important to recognize that rebuilding a relationship after a violation of trust may be challenging and healing takes times.

Couples enter therapy at different stages after a violation of trust as a result of an affair: Some partners are unsure about their relationship, are feeling lost and confused, while trying to decide whether they want to stay in the relationship after finding about the infidelity. Whereas, other couples, are looking to rebuild and nurture trust after they have agreed to work past an affair.

After facing infidelity in a relationship, it is not uncommon for you to be asking yourself questions such as:

• Whether to continue or end the relationship?
• Why did the affair happen?
• How can we prevent our relationship from falling apart?
• Will I ever be able to trust my partner?
• Will my partner ever be able to learn to forgive me?
• Does my partner love me?
• Why did my partner choose to be with someone else?
• Was my partner’s affair my fault?
• How can I help my partner deal with my infidelity?

A wide range of feelings can surface after the discovery of an affair. People often report feeling anger, hurt, rejection, shock, or even numb. It can be overwhelming to process or deal these feelings. Also, it can difficult to decide what to do next or where to begin to either rebuild trust in the relationship or how to decide whether to continue in the relationship.

How to Recover from an Affair

Speaking to a psychologist can be helpful in determining the next steps in your relationship after uncovering infidelity. Dr. Ahmed & associates provides services for couples that are dealing with a violation of trust as a result of an affair.

During your sessions you can explore and learn how to:

• Express emotions and thoughts in a constructive manner
• Explore whether you would like to continue the relationship
• Rebuild a new foundation of trust
• Listen non-defensively
• Restore intimacy
• Learn new conflict management skills
• Understand and learn how to express what you need to repair the relationship
• Develop a ritual of connection activities
• Rebuild positive experiences in the relationship

Although we cannot change the past, the services provided by Dr. Ahmed & associates can equip you and your partner to cope with the anxious feelings that you may be experiencing about your future together and provide you with steps towards rebuilding trust in the relationship or help you explore whether to continue in the relationship.

Every couple is different and brings to therapy their own set of challenges and difficulties they are facing. Dr. Ahmed & associates believe in providing research-based approaches for building stronger relationships that are uniquely tailored to address your specific needs and meet your goals for the relationship. She offers a supportive and non-judgmental environment to explore your concerns.

Contact Dr. Ahmed & associates for a consultation and inquire further about the process.