betrayal trauma

 Betrayal trauma is a comprehensive response to the experience of betrayal by a partner or loved one. Betrayal trauma occurs when an individual discovers that the trusted significant other has engaged in actions or behaviors that are counter to the agreed-upon expectations of fidelity, truthfulness, openness, and reliability within the relationship. 

     In the aftermath of the betrayal, the psychological, physical, spiritual, social, and emotional well-being of the betrayed partner may be severely impacted. For many—though not all—partners, a variety of distressing, confusing, and destabilizing repercussions often occur across the spectrum of the betrayed individual’s life.

     Profound emotional effects are frequently one of the consequences of the betrayal. These may include feelings of intense sadness, anger, confusion, shame, bewilderment, and a deep sense of loss of safety and security within the relationship. The trust that was once the foundation of the relationship has been severely injured, leading to a sense of vulnerability and insecurity. 

     Psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression are common. These may be further exacerbated by a sense of shame and self-doubt that often lead betrayed partners to feel isolated, alone with their struggles and feeling that can't reach out for support. Betrayal trauma can also damage the individual’s sense of self-worth and self-esteem. They may question their own judgment and feel the betrayal was their fault, even though they are not responsible. The trauma responses can also manifest as physical symptoms, such as sleep disturbances, appetite changes, distractibility, and increased levels of stress.

     At SATTI,  if you are a survivor of betrayal trauma, you will find a trained staff of clinicians empathic to and supportive of your situation at whatever stage you may be in: Whether you are 

• Newly in Discovery, when a sense of fear and instability often feels overwhelming and you don’t know what to do next, 
• Readying yourself for facing your partner’s Disclosure, when your emotional responses feel especially strong or even, at times, frightening to you; 
• Preparing your Impact Statement, after your partner’s Disclosure, when feelings of grief, anger, and sadness may feel completely crushing and you don’t know how to get through this on your own;  
• Or, seeking to explore a path forward, whether that means continuing stay in the relationship while working on rediscovering intimacy with your recovering partner—
• Or deciding to leave the relationship as a necessary path to healing for yourself, and you want help to navigate your new future.

     Our goal is to create a safe, supportive, informative, and validating environment for partners suffering from betrayal trauma so that they may find the resources needed to heal, We that goal in mind, we offer a complete, guided Disclosure process, individual and group therapy with others dealing with betrayal issues, and 3-day couples therapy retreats.  

     Treatment by our trained therapists include psychoeducation and experientially expressive therapies such as psychodrama, art therapy, EMDR, movement therapy, somatic experiencing, and aromatherapy and acupuncture, all of which are especially effective in treating trauma. We also highly recommend attendance at 12-Step meeting such as S-Anon and Al-Anon for support and fellowship with others who are in relationship with partners or family members who are sex addicts.