Infidelity Counseling

Infidelity remains one of the most painful experiences a couple can face, affecting a significant number of relationships. 46% of women and 34% of men report that a partner or spouse has cheated on them at some point (Survey Center on American Life, 2025). Whether the betrayal involves a physical affair, emotional connection outside the relationship, or online infidelity, the discovery creates upheaval that affects every aspect of a couple’s life.

What is Infidelity Therapy?

Infidelity therapy provides a structured space for couples to process the betrayal, understand what led to the affair, and decide whether and how to move forward. The discovery of a marital or relationship transgression precipitates a crisis, not just because of the affair itself, but because of the feelings of betrayal and helplessness. Treatment helps both partners navigate the intense emotions that follow, addresses the underlying issues that made the relationship vulnerable, and supports both people in making informed decisions about their future. The work can lead to reconciliation or provide clarity about separation. Many who commit to the process report developing stronger relationships through improved communication and understanding.

Types of Infidelity

Infidelity takes different forms, each carrying its own challenges:

Physical Affairs: Sexual involvement with someone outside the relationship, whether brief or ongoing.

Emotional Affairs: Deep emotional intimacy and connection with someone outside the relationship, even without physical contact. Roughly one in five people who report cheating say it was exclusively emotional.

Online or Digital Infidelity: Intimate relationships conducted through social media, messaging apps, dating platforms, or cybersex. Over 10% of adults form intimate online relationships.

Workplace Affairs: Affairs often begin at work, where closeness and convenience create vulnerability.

Each type of betrayal brings unique pain and requires different approaches in treatment.

Questions Couples Ask After Infidelity

The aftermath of infidelity brings intense confusion and difficult questions. These are some of the concerns couples commonly bring to therapy, grouped by theme:

Questions About Trust and Safety:

How can I ever trust you again?
How do I know contact with the affair partner has truly stopped?
How can I be sure this won’t happen again?
Are the changes you’re making permanent or sincere?
Did I see signs but choose not to know?

Questions About Moving Forward:

Can this relationship ever be solid again after so much damage?
Will I ever be able to forgive or forget?
Should we stay together for the children?
Can both of us change in ways that really matter?
Is a temporary separation necessary to diminish the intense feelings of anger and devastation?

Questions About Understanding What Happened:

How can you say you love me while you were deceiving me?
What was I not providing? How did I fail?
Is the cheating a one-time mistake or an indication of deeper dishonesty?
Do you want me, or just the whole package that comes with me?
What constitutes an affair—is an emotional connection as serious as a physical one?

Questions About the Process:

How can I control my obsessive thoughts and flashbacks?
How much information should be shared without causing more pain?
Why do we have to keep rehashing this when I said it didn’t mean anything?
How do I tolerate my partner being exposed to the affair partner at work daily?
Am I entitled to make any requests, or have I lost all rights as the guilty party?

Treatment for Infidelity

Our therapists specialize in helping couples navigate the aftermath of betrayal. We use evidence-based approaches including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method, which are particularly effective for how therapy helps couples recover from an affair.

The work involves understanding what made the relationship vulnerable to betrayal, developing healthier communication patterns, setting family boundaries, and creating a path forward. This may lead to rebuilding the relationship or navigating separation or divorce with clarity and respect. Therapy also addresses the needs of couples struggling with secrets, lies, and trust issues beyond being unfaithful, as well as individuals who need support moving beyond the experience when relationships end.

Support is also available for:

Individuals whose relationships end as a result of infidelity
Those wanting to assess their own contribution to the relationship’s future
Partners considering whether to reveal a terminated affair
Those who suspect infidelity but haven’t confronted their partner
People working to understand infidelity patterns from their families of origin
Couples wanting to strengthen their relationship before turning elsewhere to get needs met

The goal of infidelity counseling is for couples to restore trust, develop mutual appreciation and compassion, work toward forgiveness, and live in an honest relationship. With professional support, many report that the relationship they develop through this difficult work is healthier and more satisfying than before, demonstrating clear marriage counseling benefits even in the aftermath of betrayal.

If you’re navigating the aftermath of an affair, Miami Counseling & Resource Center can help. Contact us to learn more or schedule an appointment.