Affairs and Infidelity

When sexual addiction leads to infidelity, both partners might feel there is no hope for salvaging their relationship. The offending spouse is dealing with intense feelings of guilt and the shame of having their addiction discovered. For many, this is a wakeup call, one that is needed for real healing to begin. Unfortunately, undoing the damage caused is no easy task. Though they might promise change, once trust is broken it can be very hard for the betrayed spouse to believe it won’t happen again. In cases of sex addiction, chance of relapse without professional help is high. Like other addictions, the bondage is very strong, even though few are actually satisfied by the affair. In fact, most (56%) are happy in their marriage.

What does this mean? It means that the addicted spouse has a real problem, but one that is treatable. Through proven methods, experienced and sexual addiction counselors including CSAT therapists can help those with sex addiction overcome, while also helping betrayed partners better understand sex addiction and recovery.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3: 5-6

The path to infidelity and sexual addiction recovery can seem overwhelming and confusing. But, with faith in Christ and help from experienced sexual addiction counselors, healing is possible. At Seattle Christian Counseling, we give you a safe place to share your story while offering proven tools for recovery. We believe in the redemptive promises of Jesus and the grace He extends for overcoming the bonds of sin. With faith as the cornerstone for healing and evidence-based counseling methods, rebuilding trust, safety, and intimacy in your relationship is possible.

The work of recovery involves:

• Accountability – The involved partner must own up to their mistakes, be willing to talk about what they did, and understand the devastation it caused their spouse.
• Willingness to start a new – This can be difficult, but for true healing the betrayed spouse must risk future hurt by doing their best to work towards forgiveness. In time, this gets easier as the involved spouse proves they can be trusted.
• Ask and answer questions – The involved spouse must be willing to answer questions pertaining to the affair during counseling. The betrayed will learn how to ask healthy, productive questions that will give them the answers they need.
• Set realistic expectations – On the part of the betrayed partner, this means understanding that sex addiction is a real illness, and healing is a process not very different from chemical dependency. It helps to know that there is a bigger picture in which your spouse is remorseful and doing his or her best to change. On the other hand, the involved spouse needs to deal with his or her unhealthy ideas about marriage and sex.
• Forgiveness – Through Christ, we can find hope for a full recovery through faith, better understanding and new perspectives, healing, and finally forgiveness.

Recovering from sexual addiction and infidelity might feel like an all up-hill battle. Though the work of healing can take time and dedication, we have seen couples come through these trials stronger than ever. We hope that you will work with us so that you can experience the same healing that we’ve seen many couples find through Christian counseling.

If Your Marriage Has Suffered Because of An Affair, We Are Here to Help. Contact Us to Learn More.

If you’re ready to start Christian couples counseling for sexual addiction and infidelity recovery, give us a call us at (206) 388-3929 or contact us online to schedule your appointment.