What Does Healing After Infidelity Look Like?

The Steph & Craig Show

Are you struggling in the aftermath of infidelity? Are you searching for ways to heal and rebuild trust? If so, you’re going to want to listen to today’s episode.

Steph & Craig are joined by Michelle Mays, a Licensed Professional Counselor and author of The Betrayal Bind, How to Heal When the Person You Love the Most Hurts You the Worst.

Michelle has developed a groundbreaking approach to help betrayed partners navigate their healing journey.

In this episode, she shares profound insights on the nature of betrayal and the types of core wounds it inflicts: attachment injury, emotional and psychological injury, and sexual injury.

She also breaks down how infidelity can lead to carried shame, where the betrayed partner feels undeserved shame, and offers strategies to release this misplaced burden.

She delves into the role of attachment in both infidelity and addiction, showing how individuals might use sex to regulate their emotions and meet attachment needs.

The discussion also addresses common misconceptions surrounding infidelity, such as the unjust blame placed on betrayed partners and the erroneous belief that infidelity always ties to sex addiction.

Michelle refutes the notion that "once a cheater, always a cheater," stressing that meaningful change is possible with self-reflection and committed effort.

Today’s episode is a powerful one and offers up a message of hope and inspiration that healing from infidelity is possible.

Connect with Steph & Craig:

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Disclaimer:

We’re just sharing our journey with you. We’re not licensed therapists, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Cool? Good deal. We’ll see you soon.

In this episode:

00:00 Understanding Carried Shame

03:09 Misconceptions About Infidelity

08:18 Distinguishing Infidelity and Sex Addiction

16:45 The Role of Attachment in Infidelity and Addiction

29:06 Releasing Carried Shame

33:18 Misconceptions About Infidelity and Relationships

33:47 Challenging Misconceptions about Infidelity

35:13 Infidelity as a Relationship Problem

38:32 The Phases of Healing After Infidelity

41:21 Navigating the Push-Pull Dynamic

56:39 Recognizing Green Flags in the Healing Journey

Connect with Michelle:

Follow Michelle on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/c/MichelleMaysChannel/?sub_confirmation=1

Check out Michelle on Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/michellemays_/

Michelle’s Website- https://michellemays.com

Michelle on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMichelleMays/

Michelle’s book, The Betrayal Bind- https://michellemays.com/book

Expect the best. Plan for the greatest.