Delaware Marriage Therapist: How Couples Recover from an Emotional Affair

September 5, 2013

Contrary to what some may believe, my job as a Delaware marriage therapist isn’t just to help couples repair their relationship after one or both has committed adultery by sleeping with someone outside of their marriage. In fact, one problem I’ve been seeing more and more lately is a couple trying to recover after a partner has had an emotional affair.

Many partners don’t even immediately realize they are having this type of affair because they believe that it’s not cheating if they’re not having sex. However, cheating isn’t just about sex, it’s about betraying your partner’s trust. If you’ve been carrying on a flirtation over email or Facebook, or have been secretly meeting someone you’re attracted to for lunch, you may be doing just as much emotional damage to your partner as if you had committed adultery.

So how can partners restore trust and resolve relationship issues after an emotional affair?

The Key to Recovery is Open Communication, Says Delaware Marriage Therapist

Every couple will go through the recovery process after an emotional affair differently, but the most important thing to remember is that you must rebuild trust, and the best way to rebuild trust is to communicate openly. Both partners need to be honest with each other about how they’re feeling. Holding on to negative emotions and pretending everything is alright is only going to create more damaging relationship issues in the long run.

The partner who has cheated also needs to be honest and take responsibility for the affair, rather than making excuses for why they did what they did. Admitting to themselves and their partner that their behavior constituted infidelity is a major step towards recovery.

Not only do both partners need to talk to each other and be honest, they need to take turns really listening to one another. Listening shows that you care about your partner and want to do everything in your power to meet his or her needs, and actively listening is how we develop compassion for another person. Don’t interrupt your partner when they are talking – let them get everything they need to say off their chest before you take your turn.

Delaware Marriage Therapist: It Takes Time

Recovering from an emotional affair will take time for both partners, and sometimes it’s just too much to do on your own. If you and your partner are currently struggling to move on after an emotional affair, talk to a Delaware marriage therapist.

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Delaware Counselor Walt Ciecko Offers Insights on How to Sustain Better Relationships

February 9, 2012

Imago therapist Walt Ciecko is dedicated to helping you find, develop, and enjoy positive relationships. In his Delaware counselor blog, Walt introduces you to unique ideas and insights to help you grow more nurturing relationships, troubleshoot difficult ones, and explore the concepts of great thinkers like Harville Hendrix, Ph.D.

Three types of visitors might particularly enjoy this material:

1. You're having trouble finding/sustaining meaningful relationships.

Maybe you’ve been looking for love, unsuccessfully, and you crave better answers regarding what’s holding you back. Or maybe you're simply having trouble meeting new friends here in Delaware. You want to know: is it you? Is it the people you're meeting? Or is it some combination? This blog will help you find relationships that really work.

2. You're struggling with one or more key relationships.

Maybe you and your spouse have grown distant since the kids were born. Or maybe you and a business partner/long-time friend cannot talk about a work problem without fighting. This blog will serve up useful ideas and strategies to get your communication back on track.

3. You’d like to get more out of an already fulfilling relationship.

Perhaps you want to revitalize your spark in the bedroom; or maybe you crave more meaningful conversations with a parent or close friend who’s been stricken with a disease. Again, this blog will open your mind to positive and resourceful ways of getting more out of your relationships.

Why Yet Another Delaware Counselor Blog?

There’s certainly no shortage of information and advice on the web about how to improve/sustain better relationships. However, Walt offers a uniquely valuable perspective. As a practicing and well respected therapist, Walt can help you filter this advice and avoid getting distracted by fluff or by irrelevant/inaccurate ideas.

If you're interested in connecting with a licensed Delaware counselor and psychologist, give Walt a call today at 302-478-4285 Ext 1.

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Walt Ciecko, Ph. D., BCB
605 Wynyard Rd
Wilmington DE 19803
302-478-4285