Can I Trust Again? Or…Too Much Damage?

This is part 2 of my transcript on trust with Nat.

Her second question relates to the amount of damage and her capacity to trust and rebuild.

Nat:  Part of that is, is there is a point when there’s been so much damage done that after I found out about this and with him continuing to flirt with other women, I would get so upset about the flirting even if it was innocent. Where I kind of got to the point, where I thought, there’s been so much damage done that I’m just not going to be able to trust him again, because he has this need to interact with these other women. Or is that something that we could work on?

Bob:  OK. You have decided that you can’t trust him, is that correct?

Nat:  Yes.

Bob:  90 percent of you has decided that you can’t trust him.

Nat:  Yes.

Bob:  85 percent of you says I’m out of here. Is that correct?

Nat:  Right. That’s about right.

Bob:  OK. You have made a decision. Also, please know that these decisions are never a 100 percent. There will always be doubts and you’ll always question your decision probably at some level. Maybe 10, 15 percent of the time.

Nat:  Right.

Bob:  Is that helpful?

Nat:  Yes. I think so.

Bob:  Are you sure? OK, what else is going on here for you?

Nat:  Well, I guess my question was, can a person get past these feelings and trust somebody after so much damage has been done. I know the answer is yes, but it seems like too much of a hurdle.

Bob:  You’re asking a great question, and there’s no concrete answer for that. Rebuilding trust is difficult, and it doesn’t happen quickly. I say that trust is a function of time and predictability. In other words, he needs to be predictable over a period of time for you to feel like you can trust him. And it sounds like that’s not happening. Correct?

Nat:  Right.

Bob:  And rebuilding trust, I’m working hard at generating some new material on this and they’ll be coming out probably in the next six months. But you’re not alone in this. There are a high number of people who go through infidelity and the big question is, will I ever be able to trust him or her again? Or will I ever be able to trust myself again? Maybe that’s the primary question. I’ve been hurt here and can I ever entrust myself to someone else. That’s also another chunk of this.

Posted in Emotional Distance, Emotional Infidelity, Infidelity Coaching, Infidelity Marriage, Infidelity Pain, Real Life Infidelity Stories, Rebuilding the Marriage or Relationship, Surviving Infidelity, Trust Building, Types of Affairs | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Will I Ever Trust Again?

Couple In Bed

Dr. Huizenga, in the 9th tape of this 20 tape series on surviving infidelity presents the often asked or implied question, “Will I ever trust again?”

He approaches this question from two directions.

This question may mean, “will I ever trust my cheating spouse again?

Dr. Huizenga looks at the time frame for rebuilding trust and the ways to rebuild that trust.

A second component addressed is, Will I ever be able to to love again?

He gives 3 components for rebuilding your capacity to trust your self in entering a healthy relationship.

Posted in Emotional Distance, Emotional Infidelity, Infidelity Coaching, Infidelity Marriage, Infidelity Pain, Surviving Infidelity, Surviving Infidelity Videos, Trust Building | Tagged , , , , , | 22 Comments

After Infidelity: Restoring the Trust in the Relationship and In Yourself

Restoring trust after infidelity is always one of the main issues or trials that couples have to go through whenever infidelity enters a relationship.

People always ask the same thing when this happens to them and their relationship: if there is any way that they will be able to love and trust their partners the same way after infidelity, and will there ever be a time when they don’t become paranoid or suspicious about where their partners are going and what they’re doing.

One of the hardest things to do in the relationship after infidelity is rebuilding trust, and most of the time, you don’t even know where and how to begin doing this because you are too focused on the pain and betrayal you are feeling.

Do you think you will be able to forgive your partner and begin to trust him or her again? Do you need your partner to do anything for you to be able to forgive him or her, and do you he or she will be capable of doing it? Talk to your partner about these things, and in the event that you decide that you want to stay with him or her after infidelity, both of you have to agree to work and make an effort in rebuilding the lost trust in your marriage.

It’s easier for people to focus on the hurt and pain of cheated on especially during the time of discovering it, but you should make yourself get past the pain no matter how hard it is. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t address those issues anymore, but you also have to give attention to your current reality and be aware of the things that are going on in your life right now.

Although it may seem impossible to do, you still have to do it and here’s why: Your partner could be doing it all over again and you’re too focused on your depression after infidelity to notice it. If this happens, will you be able to handle another wave of pain and betrayal? Will you be able to go through it all over again? And will you be able to forgive your partner, and yourself, one more time?

It’s important that you decide the things that you want for yourself apart from your partner, as well as the things that you want from your relationship, especially after infidelity. Draw limitations as to what you will be able to handle and what you will not regarding your relationship and set these boundaries with your partner.

It’s time that you take matters into your own hands and not let your partner pull you back and forth with the indecisions about his or her life. Decide for yourself what you want after infidelity and stick to your decisions.

Posted in Infidelity Pain, Infidelity Reasons, Relationship Communication, Relationships: Marriage, Relationships: Sex and Intimacy, Surviving Infidelity, Trust Building, Types of Affairs, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

How Charging Neutral Can Rebuild the Trust in Your Marriage

What benefits does charging neutral provide to your marriage after infidelity? Will you be able to fix your relationship? And more importantly, will you be able to trust your partner and yourself again?

Developing trust, especially in marriages affected by infidelity, is not an easy thing to do, but charging neutral will be able to help you with it. One of the things you need to focus on in a situation like this is communication, which you can achieve when you practice charging neutral.

Charging neutral means that you communicate with your partner in a direct and calm manner, making sure you get your point across properly without yelling or fighting, without being defensive or sarcastic, without any side comments or remarks.

Control yourself when you are talking with your partner. Try out a few exercises that will allow you to stay calm when he or she says something that hits a nerve, like taking a few deep breaths before responding, for example. Keep your tone calm, and your actions and body language relaxed and unthreatening. This is what charging neutral means — to keep yourself from reacting to your partner’s negative behavior.

Doing this will allow you to be able to bring any issue or problem up, whether it is something big or it is just a small thing, without dragging a lot of drama into the plate and creating a big deal out of it. And your partner will be able to trust that you will not fall apart or burst whenever you have issues, especially in your relationship, that you have to deal with.  He or she will be able to trust in the strength that you are showing because he or she will be sure that no matter what happens, you will approach everything with calm, you won’t back down and you will speak the truth. Your partner will see that strength when you practice charging neutral, and this will make you even more attractive in his or her eyes.

Posted in Charging Neutral, Infidelity Pain, Infidelity Reasons, Relationship Communication, Relationships: Marriage, Relationships: Sex and Intimacy, Surviving Infidelity, Trust Building, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Cheating Husband’s Emotional Attachment to Sister

Click the arrow to begin the video of the Q & A

(Right click the button above and select “Save Link As…” to download the audio file)

Chat Transcript of the Q & A

Glad you are here. Feel free to add your questions or comments.

3:00 PM

AJ (to All):

yes

3:00 PM

Bridgette (to All):

yes

3:01 PM

Chris (to All):

yes

3:02 PM

Scott (to All):

dr. bob, do you have a professional opinion on how much more difficult it is in dealing with recovery from an affair with a spouse recently diagnosed with adult add, bi-polar and probably borderline personality disorder? is the risk of relapse much higher when these conditions are present? TU

3:02 PM

Todd (to All):

so since sex is usually what an affair is about how do you rekindle and try and share sex with your partner now without the fears of you doing same thing they searched for and help them remember their experience

3:04 PM

Chris (to All):

my husband claims it was just a sexual affair but the email I found and texts that I saw tell a different story. plus she was a family friend. hard to believe he is over her? I do I trust again? how do I know he isn’t still thinking about her?

3:04 PM

Todd (to All):

I guess question is how to make it special again between the two of us not just using the other like was what was being done in the affair

3:06 PM

steve (to All):

Been patiently ‘charging neutral’ for months without any noticeable changes in my wife’s behavior. I know the affair has continued and she has been seeing a therapist on her own and has committed to making a decision by the end of the year if she wants to re-commit to our marriage. I recently found a draft of a letter she is writing to ask me for a divorce. She doesn’t know I saw it and she hasn’t given it to me yet. Should I confront her with it or continue to just let it play out?

3:06 PM

Scott (to All):

yes, that was what i was concerned about.

3:06 PM

Chris (to All):

how do I know he really wants to be with me and not only because divorces are expensive?

3:06 PM

Scott (to All):

tu

3:07 PM

Todd (to All):

yes but a big part of what happens it seems

3:08 PM

Todd (to All):

yes

3:09 PM

Todd (to All):

the trigger is just about I’m afraid now she no longer wants me for that

3:11 PM

Todd (to All):

ok

3:12 PM

Chris (to All):

sure

3:16 PM

Mary (to All):

Mary checking in. My spouse has been showing a few signs of recommitting to our relationship, but is also saying he wants to buy an airline ticket to check on a property in FL (possible hurricane damage) – in the past, he used excuses like this to visit the “other person” in NC. This is making me anxious, and we have had NO dialogue about the affair (two years involvement). I do see signs it may be ending, as he is doing more work around our home. Previously, he said he was moving out. Any thoughts on how I might relieve my suspicions/concerns in th

3:17 PM

Mary (to All):

the absence of any conversations. Zero intimacy in our relationship now – he avoids ANY physical contact, including hugs, touches.

3:27 PM

steve (to All):

Harboring very little – have told her just about everything in a very calm manor. I bought all your stuff

3:28 PM

steve (to All):

Sounds good .

3:30 PM

Mary (to All):

Bob, pls repeat instructions!

3:30 PM

Chris (to All):

Yu!

3:31 PM

Chris (to All):

TU!

Posted in Q & A | Leave a comment

4 Critical Steps to Infidelity Recovery

Thousands like you, since I went online in 2001, have made it through the infidelity crisis in their marriage.

You can too.

You can survive infidelity.

But, Infidelity Recovery doesn’t happen by chance.

These thousands went through a recovery process and left nothing to chance.

And, that’s what you are looking for, correct? You want a pathway, a road that moves you out of overwhelm and confusion.

And, you need to know that this road can be trusted, a road others have traveled with success.

Those who transformed the betrayal of infidelity into a newfound confidence and trust followed very specific steps.

The resources, support and materials you need to follow are found in the Infidelity Recovery Center.

Here are the 4 Critical Steps:

First, You Must Experience Success

You must find emotional relief quickly.

You must quickly experience results, noticing changes in your self, your relationship and husband.

Without relief and results you stumble around in your pain, disconnect, your fearful thoughts and feelings of inadequacy.

I don’t want that for you, your marriage and family.

I coached a 60 year old woman consumed by anger toward her husband who had his affair some 25 years earlier.

How sad.

What a waste!

The pain and devastation of affair discovery brings up pain so deep and powerful that you automatically go back to your default ways of coping.

98 times out of 100 these default ways do not work, and in reality, make matters worse (and give your cheating husband an excuse to continue cheating.)

Articles in the Infidelity Recovery Center help you identify and understand this common and human dilemma.

Finding relief and results often mean doing something different; often opposite of what you are now doing.

This seems counter-intuitive but it works!

The “48 Hour Infidelity Boot Camp,” residing in the Recovery Center offers proven and highly successful tools to help you shake things up, get on track, find relief and get results – yes, often in 48 Hours, OR less.

(I’ve received hundreds of comments from users thanking me profusely for taking away their fear and pain, offering hope and jump starting the Recovery Process.)

Second, Learn to Think Recovery, Not Affair

Where does your infidelity pain come from?

What makes it so intense, excruciating and 24/7?

Take a moment to mentally stand back and you will discover that your pain is connected to catastrophic thinking.

The pain is triggered by your mind, which in its infidelity trauma, keeps replaying negative thoughts (and frequently associated images.)

These negative and awful thoughts come from what you have absorbed and been taught about infidelity.

Unfortunately, you’ve been taught myths, half truths and downright lies about infidelity.

For example,

  • Affairs are about falling out of love with you and “in love” with someone else.
  • Affairs result from a “bad” marriage.
  • You did something wrong for him to “stray.”
  • Affairs are the result of not meeting your husband’s needs.
  • Affairs are about sex.

In the Infidelity Recovery Center you will learn in detail why these assumptions are NOT true.

It is imperative that you straighten out your thinking.

Once you know the reality of an affair, the catastrophic constant thinking about infidelity subsides.

Affair Recovery thinking takes its place.

The final phase of clearing your mind is to determine the type of affair, and in doing so an Action Plan emerges.

“Break Free From the Affair,” the first ebook on infidelity written by me in 2001 is found in Level 3 of the Infidelity Recovery Center. “Break Free From the Affair” has been a best seller.

“Break Free From the Affair” identifies exactly the type of affair, how long it will last and interventions that change the direction of that affair.

Once your mind has new and purposeful thinking, you are ready for Step #3.

Third, Take Charge

You are now ready to take confident, constructive and targeted action, experiment and implement your plan.

How does that sound?

Scary?

Hopeful?

Daunting?

Wondering that if you take charge, he will back away?

Here’s the key: You want to ACT and not React.

You react (which will undoubtedly push him away) when you use your old default coping ways.

By this time, with your mind clear and your heart more calm, you are ready to ACT.

In addition to implementing your plan, based on the type of affair, you focus on these two critical areas:

  • You focus on defining and declaring your position. This is about you; where you are, your experience and your thoughts. You convey this with calm and certitude.
  • The second focus is crafting powerful statements. These statement focus on him, the affair, the marriage and your situation. These statements declare TRUTH – no blaming, condemnation or judgement.

(Hint: your husband at a deeper level truly wants the TRUTH and knows that the affair is NOT the answer.)

Your path becomes clear as you identify the type of affair, state your position and craft powerful statements.

Many find personal coaching with me extremely helpful at this point in breaking out of the old default ways and experimenting with powerful new strategies that hit home and accelerate the recovery process.

Fourth, Build Trust

  • Will you EVER be able to trust your husband again?
  • Will you EVER forget his betrayal?
  • Will you EVER be able to give yourself, without reservation, again?

You were taught to fear. You were taught to feel inadequate. It was slammed into you from a very young age that you must perform. It seeped into every cell of your body that you were not enough.

The betrayal brings up in untold powerful ways these deeply engrained terrors. (And, BTW, your husband betrayed because he was lost in these terrors and attempted to find a way out.)

So, of course, trust becomes problematic. You NEVER want to feel/think again what you just went through.

You want to love and be loved.

But, you don’t know how. Or, you don’t know what it truly means. When love and fear mix, love disappears.

I find this true of nearly everyone of my coaching clients.

The final step of trust is forgiveness.

Now, by forgiveness, I don’t mean pardoning, letting him off the hook, putting on a back shelf what happened, or “moving” ahead with “assignments” to hopefully quick-fix your marriage.

Forgiveness is getting rid of fear-based goals. It’s learning to accept and give love at a new and deeper level.

Forgiveness = Trust.

Forgiveness is your opportunity to create a you and a relationship far richer than previously experienced.

In the Infidelity Recovery Center, I offer resources and personal coaching that move you through an 11 step process of forgiveness, the last but not final step on your recovery journey.

For more information on Infidelity Recovery and the Infidelity Recovery Center click here:

https://infidelity-recovery-center.com/member-sp-7-17/

Posted in Infidelity Recovery, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Once a Cheater Always a Cheater!?

once a cheater always a cheater

Cheating as a Disorder

Once a Cheater, Always a Cheater!?

Those who have never been on the receiving end of infidelity frequently proclaim, “Once a Cheater, Always a Cheater!” Cheating represents a morally corrupt individual with a touch of character disorder.

From emotionally afar, they lump all cheating and cheaters together in a not so pretty picture.

Cheating as a Broken Marriage

A wounded spouse; however, may quietly ask, “Once a Cheater, Always a cheater?”

image11s

The question mark speaks of the pain of infidelity, of the broken promises and words of betrayal.

The quiet question mark reserves hope that all is not lost: that at some point in some way there may be remorse, redemption, reconciliation and the saving of family, marriage and dreams for the future.

Trust

“Once a Cheater, Always a Cheater” also speaks for trust.

Can I trust that my cheating spouse CAN be faithful?

Can I trust the new words and new promises?

inadex

Can I trust that they will not cheat again? I don’t believe I can take another round of the deception and betrayal.

Once a Cheater, Always a Cheater!?

Two Factors

It depends… on two factors.

1. The type of affair. Particular types of affairs are prone to repeat experiences.

2.  The learning and growth of the Cheating spouse (and wounded spouse as well.)

Once the marriage or relationship is altered, healed and reconstructed, the odds of cheating again are revised.

The 7 Types of Affairs

Infographic - Types of affair version3

Get this FREE Download –
Nail Down the Type of Affair

Start Now with Your FREE Cheat Sheet

Others’ comments…

Knowing a pattern is exceedingly helpful. It helps you get to the core of the issue or issues. And, when you are at the core, you achieve a high degree of clarity about what you need to do to make something happen.closeqoute-close
Infidelity is like being raped. Something sacred, something vitally important has been violated. Boundaries of loyalty, trust and promises of fidelity, care and concern are mocked without seemingly much regard.closeqoute-close

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Posted in Uncategorized | 17 Comments

Normal People Suffer from Infidelity

Normal People SufferingYou really are normal.

I often reflect: What about what I do that people find so liberating and helpful?

Here’s what I think it is: I help those suffering from marriage crisis to feel normal, that they are not defective, and nothing in essence is wrong with them.

To regain your self-esteem and good feelings about self is HUGE!

As a matter of fact, you don’t know how HUGE it is until we lose it. Right?

Ok. So how does that happen? How can YOU get to that point of feeling “normal” again?

Feedback I receive on “Break Free From the Affair” lets me know that you value the 7 types of affairs and you value understanding the misguided motives of your partner or spouse.

You respect, value and need solid reputable, insightful knowledge coming from someone who has done the research, study and clinical practice and has stuck with it over a period of time.

I have an online colleague who has put together interviews with 21 seasoned relationship guides. These are people who have dedicated a great portion of their lives to expanding the knowledge base and field of relationship studies.

Click on this link if you want to watch a video giving more information:
http://breakfree1.bobfb.hop.clickbank.net?page=vsp

Click this link if you want to read about the interviews: http://breakfree1.bobfb.hop.clickbank.net?page=lsp

Here are some of the complex questions tackled:

  • What are the different types of infidelity?
  • Are all types of infidelity equal?
  • What type of infidelity is most damaging to marriage and most difficult to recover from?
  • How to know if your spouse is cheating on you?
  • What to do when you suspect your spouse is cheating on you?
  • Should you snoop or discuss your concerns with your spouse openly?
  • How to confront your unfaithful spouse?
  • What to do when your spouse refuses to end the affair?
  • How to deal with a spouse who is a serial cheater?
  • Should you save your marriage or opt for a separation after infidelity?
  • When you should make a decision on your marriage after infidelity?
  • How to rebuild your marriage after infidelity?
  • How to heal after infidelity?
  • Why forgiveness is key to healing and rebuilding your marriage?
  • How to rebuild trust after infidelity?
  • How to deal with post infidelity triggers?
  • How long it usually takes to recover from infidelity?
  • How to handle children during and after infidelity?
  • How to restore intimacy after infidelity?
  • How to deal with a spouse addicted to porn or sex?
  • Precautions to take to prevent infidelity in your marriage
  • And much, much more…

Knowledge is power. Knowledge will free you from the tyranny of your self-degrading and hopeless thoughts and feelings.

Wishing you the best,

Dr. Bob Huizenga

Click here for information on coaching

Posted in Dr. Huizenga's Blog Posts, Emotional Distance, Emotional Infidelity, Infidelity and Intimacy, Infidelity Coaching, Infidelity Marriage, Infidelity Reasons, Rebuilding the Marriage or Relationship, Relationship Communication, Signs of Infidelity, Surviving Infidelity, Types of Affairs | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Online Cheating Questions

A

My survey stirred a great response with many questions. Feel free to leave comments below to some of these questions:

I believe that any effort to rekindle old “friendships” or forget new ones online (as by any other means) should be shared, at least in so far to divulge it is happening, with a “significant other” — whether married or not. What say you?
—–
My husband and I are recovering from his internet cheating. He claims that he would never have started his online fling with an old school classmate if things were not already bad in our marriage. I wonder if he had not met this woman online, would he have eventually spoken to me about the issues in our marriage? I found out by figuring out his password and going in to his Facebook account. At first he said I was invading his privacy. Eventually, he befriended the woman and severed all contact with her, but still communicates with other former classmates. Should I be concerned that the pattern will repeat, or can I trust that now that he and I are communicating and working on our relationship, this will not happen again?
—–
How do you tell the difference between- “just friends” and something more? What should be the normal “internet” boundaries for someone in a committed relationship? Is it okay to check your spouse’s email, internet history, etc? Should committed couples share internet passwords? Does the other person ever understand the damage they cause? What if the other person tries to make friends with the uninvolved spouse?
—–
FINALLY!!!! There is NOTHING OUT there that deals with this!!!! That’s where we’ve been for 10+ years! I’ve noticed that my husband can’t make a commitment to anyone in person, men or women, me included, but online, whoa…look out he’s there for everybody!
—–
My husband found his mistress on an online dating site. when he left me (separated but still not divorced) I hooked up with a guy from online too (via Facebook). It’s too easy to feel like it isn’t really cheating because that person isn’t sitting there next to you, but it’s a short step to moving things to the real world and then developing an attachment that is very hard to break with that person. My husband is still struggling to let go of his mistress.

Posted in Dr. Huizenga's Blog Posts, Emotional Distance, Emotional Infidelity, Infidelity and Intimacy, Infidelity Marriage, Infidelity Pain, Internet Cheating, Surviving Infidelity | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Break Free From Emotional Suffering

How does one devastated by an extramarital affair break free from emotional suffering?

Recently a beautiful and loving coaching client asked me, “Will the regret and guilt I feel EVER go away? Will I EVER stop punishing myself for what I did to our marriage?” The flip side of this question is, “Will I EVER stop feeling the hurt of the betrayal? Will I ever trust and love again?”

Is it possible to get over the emotional suffering caused by the hurt betrayal and guilt of infidelity?

These questions are LOADED with opportunity for shared insight and wisdom. CAN we free ourselves from gnawing shame and guilt that in itself threatens to derail the healing process in a marriage in need of new harmony and balance? CAN we move beyond the pain of betrayal and find (CREATE!) the love we want to experience? Of course we can. There is always a way through pain, whether it be emotional pain, or any other kind. We need not experience emotional suffering endlessly from the pain of an affair, no matter which side of the affair we are on. The sooner we accept and EMBRACE this truth, the sooner we can get about the business of offering healing to ourselves and those around us. We can get our train “back on track” and once again be the vehicle of love and joy we want to be.

Again, it does not matter which side of the affair you are on. You need not suffer emotional pain any longer than you choose to. Remember, when you visit and join this site, you are choosing to break free from old habits, patterns, and beliefs that do not serve nor create the life you want to live and the experiences you want to have. When you come on board with THIS site, you are CHOOSING to move into a new way of looking at yourself, your partner, your marriage AND at the affair. You are choosing to move THROUGH this opportunity to create something new for yourself, in the way you relate to yourself, to others and to the bigger picture of CHANGE itself.

Peace and blessings,

Jeryl

Jeryl Swantack
Your Break Free Coach

Click the link above to find more information on how to Break Free from the emotional suffering involved with an extramarital affair.

Posted in Emotional Infidelity, Infidelity Coaching, Infidelity Marriage, Infidelity Pain, Jeryl's Blog Posts, Self Care, Surviving Infidelity | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment