Betrayed Partners and Family Members of Addicted Families
Partners of sex addicts, spouses of sex addicts, or any significant other who is impacted by the addictive process, also need support when they discover the secret life that has been hidden from them. The feelings that emerge from broken trust and the discovery of mis-truths is deeply painful.
The person I love is a Sex Addict.
Partners and spouses of sex addicts normally find themselves reeling once they discover their significant other has been hiding compulsive sexual behaviors. The betrayed partners and spouses I work with share feelings of confusion, anger, fear, sadness and trauma. If you are currently going through this, I encourage you to reach out for the support you deserve in order to learn tools to support yourself, your healing journey, and your relationship.
Common secretive behaviors include:
Compulsive masterurbation and secrecy
Pornography dependence and addiction
CyberSex outside of relationship
Multiple emails, phone numbers, online accounts, sexting
Out of control anonymous sex
Numerous affairs
Hiring prostitutes and lying to one’s spouse
Illegal voyeurism
I treat partners through a trauma informed partner sensitive model – this model focuses on partner’s needs. There are additional resources available to help the person experiencing compulsive sexual behaviour.
Common trauma symptoms for partners after discovery can include:
Re-experiencing the event/intrusive images of what was discovered
Mood swings, struggle with emotional flooding, hyper-vigilance, and anxiety
Restlessness, cannot stop thinking or unable to focus on any activity
Emotional cycles of rage, anger, sadness and feeling numb
Second guessing due to gaslighting your reality and feeling crazy
Obsession and feeling pre-occupied
Immobility, shutting down, inability to sleep, eat or take care of basic needs and more…
Male Partners
Though this is rarely talked about and dismissed by some individuals, betrayal trauma and stress happens to men too! I have treated many men who are healing from the confusion, shame, betrayed, fear and anger that is often experienced when someone you care about has hurt you by not remaining faithful to the relationship originally agreed upon. There are special considerations when working with men who have experienced this dynamic, and I know how to help. There is hope for you to heal — Contact me for support.