Does Infidelity Counseling Really Work?

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Are you having a tough time getting over infidelity?

Whether it is sexual infidelity or emotional infidelity in marriage, cheating in marriage is a distressing experience.

Whatever be the type of affair, it is equally painful. And, dealing with infidelity without any support can seem to be an impossible task to accomplish.

So, how to get over being cheated on?

This is when infidelity counseling can come for your rescue!

If you’re wondering what infidelity counseling is, the answer is as simple as its name. It is a type of counseling designed for couples who have gone through infidelity in marriage at some point in time.

But, is infidelity counseling worth your time, or is it just a pipe-dream to believe that your broken relationship can be salvaged?

Well, the answer to this question depends on the person or persons entering counseling. Attitude and outlook are extremely important when determining whether couples therapy post affair is going to be a success or not.

Regardless of the affair is fresh or from years gone by, marital infidelity therapy can help a couple, process the information, and create a plan for moving forward with a healthy, rejuvenated relationship.

Things to consider before going for infidelity counseling

There is no guarantee with any form of therapy. The success of couples counseling depends mainly on the couple and their abilities to forgive, listen, learn, and grow.

If you are going into couple’s therapy and are hoping for success, here are some things that must be considered.

1. Be honest about where you see your relationship going

Although it is not always possible to know the right away, your therapist may ask you off the bat whether you are going through therapy with the idea of staying together or separating.

Are you looking to rebuild your marriage, have an amicable separation, or to sort out ambivalent feelings toward the situation?

Knowing where you’re coming from will help your therapist better determine how to handle your case.

2. Commitment to the process

If you want infidelity counseling to have a positive effect on your life, you need to be 100% committed to the process.

Trying to have a positive perspective after going through an affair in your relationship is challenging, but a good attitude is essential for infidelity therapy to work.

For example, positive outcomes occur when participants are honest, do not have a defensive attitude, and be open to learning and sharing.

3. Co-operation

It’s easy to play the blame game, especially when there is an affair involved in a relationship.

There can be several causes of infidelity, and in order for infidelity counseling to be successful, both parties have to cooperate.

This means you need to give one another a fair chance to speak their mind, showing a calm demeanor, and being open to learning new techniques designed for successful relationships.

Signs that infidelity therapy will work

It should be noted that going through infidelity counseling doesn’t guarantee your partner will never stray.

However, couples who have fully committed to the process find that their marriages are stronger and more trustworthy than before. Here are the signs that indicate coping with infidelity is possible.

1. The affair is over

The longer there is deception in a relationship, the harder it will be to survive the fallout.

One way to determine whether a couple has a chance of staying together after an affair is to ensure the affair is really over. The former cheating spouse has ended the affair and has cut off all communication with the other person.

The spouse should also show that they are willing to give full disclosure about their friends, whereabouts, and habits from this point forward.

2. The former cheating partner shows remorse

This means that the spouse who had an affair is committed to making their partner feel safe, secure, valued, loved, and desired.

This spouse is fully aware of the rough road ahead and that the betrayed spouse needs to go through a demanding grieving process that may seem unfair at times.

3. You used to have a great relationship

Couples who once had a trusting relationship that was full of love and true intimacy have a high chance of success through marriage counseling.

Opposite of which, couples who have a history of emotional or physical abuse and selfish behavior will have a harder time staying together post-affair.

4. Partners used to display mutual respect

Being cheated on is the ultimate form of disrespect and betrayal.

This disrespect is one of the reasons that marital affairs are so hard to get over. Not only was the spouse deceived and cheated on, but the worth as a human and as a partner were taken advantage of.

Partners who used to show great mutual respect for one another have a high chance of success, one they can learn to give respect once more.

5. There is genuine forgiveness

Relationships are hard, period. One of the biggest factors that will determine whether infidelity therapy will work is if the betrayed spouse is genuinely able to forgive their partner.

Forgiveness does not come immediately, but a willingness to work toward this goal is the key.

6. The couple is taking positive steps

The offending spouse is ready to take positive steps forward and apply the direction being given to better themselves as a partner. Trust exercises are being followed.

The betrayed spouse is willing to acknowledge the hard work their partner is putting forth in the relationship, even though they are still hurt.

A willing attitude also means that the couple is putting forth an earnest effort to date one another once again. This means rediscovering each other in a new romantic relationship and letting themselves become open and vulnerable to one another.

7. Accepting responsibility

Big or small, both parties must accept responsibility for the roles they played in their relationship.

This may include not speaking up when they felt unhappy, not listening to their partner, being cold or unaffectionate, flirting with other people, causing distrust, and of course, for the affair.

Both parties must be willing to acknowledge that there are two sides to every story, and both parties are accountable for the relationships past, present, and, most importantly, the future.

Watch this video on rethinking infidelity for some essential advice.

Infidelity counseling can be a great asset for learning to forgive your partner for the sake of mending your broken relationship or as a learning tool to prepare you for your next romantic endeavor.

Be open-minded to the process of infidelity counseling to see the best results possible.