7 Steps to Handling Betrayal Together

When I was 19-years-old, I discovered that my long-term boyfriend and closest friend at the time had hooked up in my bed, while I was in the other room. It shook my world! After feeling lots of confusion, sadness, anger, I was able to move into acceptance. They both apologized and made attempts to rekindle our relationship; the apologies I accepted but as for the relationships, I left those behind.

In retrospect, it was filled with blessings: I learned to let go of relationships that don’t serve me, created space for better people in my life, understood the value of forgiveness, and gained the respect of my clients when they questioned my ability to empathize with their challenges- allowing us to make big progress.

We’ve all experienced betrayal in some form or another. It’s what we do with it that matters. Whether the intention is to give the relationship another try or leave the relationship on a good note- moving through betrayal can be challenging on both sides of the dynamic. The following is a conversation map on how to talk about betrayal and ultimately, move past it:

If you’re looking for clarity on how to process what has happened, which decision to make moving forward, or need to work through the grays of the situation, I suggest you speak to a friend you trust or a therapist. There is no doubt that betrayal comes with a lot of feelings for both the betrayed and the betrayer. I wish you the strength to make the best decision for yourself and the clarity to see all the blessings in your challenges.

Nicole Nowparvar is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Life Coach. She specializes in helping young adults balance old traditions with modern identity, turn challenges into opportunities, & understand their past so they can reach their goals. She provides individual, family, and group counseling. She currently has a summer special where clients receive their first session for free.

Website: www.nicolenowparvar.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/nicolenowparvarlcsw

Call for a Free 15 Minute Consultation: (424) 284-9212