Affair healing Blog
I've written openly about my affair story. My past provides me with a particular insight into the experience of an unfaithful partner and how a person can make life-changing choices that spin the heads of confused observers.
Because they prefer certainty over confusion, the onlookers (including the betrayed partner) often seek black-and-white explanations. They do this to understand WHY this happened, or to present a convincing argument that will compel the wayward spouse toward sensibility. One common explanation of an affair is that it is a fantasy—the experience of something that seems real, but isn't. This condition is also referred to as wandering in an "affair fog." While I agree that understanding the fantasy and fog nature of an affair may be helpful to the unsettled witnesses and victims of infidelity, it will not persuade the cheater to think differently about their experience. A couple came into my office wanting help to work through an argument they were unable to resolve. They were frustrated and disappointed in each other. I spent 50 minutes helping them consider the issue from their partner's point of view and to gain insight into why they each reacted so defensively.
A wife sat in my office yesterday, explaining the many ways in which she continued to figure out why her husband had an affair, with special attention to wondering what was wrong with their marriage... what was wrong with her. She felt that somehow she must carry blame for his unfaithfulness.
I told her the same thing that is often repeated to betrayed partners: "You are not responsible for your husband's affair." Not even a little bit. |
AuthorUnless otherwise noted, articles are written by Tim Tedder, a licensed counselor and creator of this site and its resources. Topics
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