Healing After Betrayal: A Proven Model for Couples Recovery
When sexual betrayal strikes a relationship, the pain can feel unbearable. Trust is shattered, emotions run high, and both partners are left trying to make sense of what just happened. For many, the idea of rebuilding the relationship seems overwhelming—if not impossible. But with the right tools, guidance, and support, healing is possible.
At Awareness Collaborative PLLC, we utilize a couples therapy model rooted in the book Help Them Heal by Carol Juergensen Sheets, also known as Carol the Coach. This powerful framework is designed specifically to help couples navigate the complex journey of relational recovery after sexual betrayal.
A Pathway Back to Each Other
This model is built around the belief that recovery is possible when both the partner and the person who betrayed the relationship are committed to healing—not just individually, but together. The process is challenging, and it requires vulnerability, patience, and emotional courage. That’s why having a skilled therapist to guide the couple through the process can be a game-changer.
The Core Components of Healing
The foundation of this method lies in four key elements:
Empathy – learning to truly feel with one another and understand each other’s emotional world.
Compassion – creating space for the pain, without defensiveness or avoidance.
Communication – developing the skills to speak, listen, and respond in ways that deepen understanding rather than escalate conflict.
Hard Work – engaging in the process consistently, even when it’s uncomfortable or slow-moving.
Couples are guided through three distinct phases of recovery:
Safety – Rebuilding a foundation of emotional and relational security. This includes transparency, boundaries, and consistent behaviors that restore trust.
Grief – Making room for the sadness, anger, and loss that both partners may feel. This stage honors the pain while keeping connection at the forefront.
Growth – Fostering resilience and a new relational dynamic rooted in authenticity, mutual respect, and shared values.
Skills That Keep Conversations Going
One of the model’s strengths is its focus on teaching couples how to stay in conversation with each other—even when things feel messy or raw. Learning how to express feelings, stay present during conflict, and respond empathetically are vital parts of long-term healing. These aren’t just communication tips—they are relational survival skills for couples recovering from deep wounds.
Specialized Support from a Trained Expert
At Awareness Collaborative PLLC, couples can work with Jamie Gibbs, our ERCEM-trained Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT). Jamie is specifically trained in this model and brings both expertise and compassion to the work of helping couples restore their bond after sexual betrayal. She supports each partner through the emotional terrain of betrayal trauma, guiding them toward clarity, connection, and hope.
Healing from betrayal is one of the hardest journeys a couple can take—but they don’t have to walk it alone. With the right roadmap, and the right support, reconnection is possible.
If you and your partner are struggling after betrayal, reach out today to learn how we can support your healing.