Marriage and Couples Counseling for Cheating
Looking for a marriage therapist in Chicago after your spouse cheated? If so, you aren’t alone. Finding out that your spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend has been cheating on you can be simply devastating. For many individuals, discovering an act (or acts) of infidelity can lead to the collapse of a relationship.
Who Is Cheating?
According to research published in the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, it is estimated that around 40% of men and woman have engaged in some type of infidelity (emotional or physical).
Cheating Statistics (Journal of Marital Family Therapy, 2022)
| Percent of marriages where one or both spouses admit to infidelity, either physical or emotional | 41 % |
| Percent of men who admit to committing infidelity in any relationship they’ve had | 57 % |
| Percentage of women who admit to committing infidelity in any relationship they’ve had | 54 % |
| Percent of married men who have strayed at least once during their married lives | 22 % |
| Percent of married women who have strayed at least once during their married lives | 14 % |
| Percentage of men and women who admit to having an affair with a co-worker | 36 % |
| Percentage of men and women who admit to infidelity on business trips | 35% |
| Percentage of men and women who admit to infidelity with a brother-in-law or sister-in-law | 17 % |
| Average length of an affair | 2 years |
| Percentage of marriages that last after an affair has been admitted to or discovered | 31 % |
| Percentage of men who say they would have an affair if they knew they would never get caught | 74 % |
| Percentage of women who say they would have an affair if they knew they would never get caught | 68 % |
| Percent of children who are the product of infidelity | 3 % |
Counseling for Cheating and Infidelity
At Couples Counseling Center, we understand that devastating toll that can take place when you learn that you have been cheated on.
Let’s be honest – this type of discovery can immediately throw a relationship into crisis. If there is any silver lining that can be identified about the discovery of infidelity, it is simply this – crisis is the point in time when change is most likely.
What To Expect in Cheating Focused Marriage Counseling
As a therapists in Chicago specializing in infidelity-focused marriage counseling, we strive to provide a safe and supportive environment for couples dealing with the aftermath of infidelity. When couples come to us seeking help after infidelity, we understand the complex emotions and challenges they are facing. Our goal is to assist them in navigating the difficult journey of healing, rebuilding trust, and strengthening their relationship.
In infidelity-focused marriage counseling, we approach each couple with empathy and non-judgment. We create a space where both partners can express their feelings, concerns, and experiences openly, while ensuring that everyone feels heard and validated. We work collaboratively with the couple, helping them understand the underlying issues that may have contributed to the infidelity and explore the impact it has had on their relationship.
During the counseling process, we guide couples in understanding the root causes of the infidelity, which can range from unmet emotional needs, communication breakdowns, or external factors such as stress or temptation. By exploring these underlying issues, we can work towards rebuilding trust and developing healthier patterns of communication and connection. We assist couples in developing effective strategies for rebuilding intimacy and addressing any unresolved issues that may have been present prior to the infidelity.
How Therapy After Cheating Help and Heals
Additionally, we help couples address the emotional aftermath of infidelity, which often involves dealing with feelings of anger, betrayal, guilt, and shame. I provide tools and techniques for managing these emotions, rebuilding self-esteem, and promoting forgiveness and empathy within the relationship. While the road to recovery after infidelity can be challenging, with commitment and willingness from both partners, it is possible to rebuild trust, strengthen the relationship, and create a future that is more resilient and fulfilling.
In our infidelity-focused marriage counseling practice in Chicago, we strive to provide couples with the guidance, support, and tools they need to navigate the complex emotions and challenges that arise in the aftermath of infidelity. By fostering a safe and non-judgmental space, exploring the underlying issues, and promoting effective communication and healing, we work towards helping couples rebuild trust and create a stronger, more fulfilling relationship. Infidelity is undoubtedly a painful experience, but with professional help and dedication, couples can emerge from this crisis with a renewed sense of commitment, understanding, and love.
Cheating and Couples/Marriage Counseling
When you and your significant other come to one of our therapists to discuss, process and work through issues related to infidelity, there are a number of areas that will be touched upon. These include:
- Validating the pain associated with cheating
- Understanding how an affair may have taken place
- Exploring what factors may have contributed to infidelity
- Determining what to do if cheating is still going on in here and now
- Assessing what to do with the information and working through
- Determining the level of relational damage and ability to repair
For a relationship to survive an act (or acts) of infidelity, it requires both people in the relationship to be committed to the counseling process. Couples counseling that specifically explores issues related to cheating is designed to create a deeper understanding of the involved dynamics. What it is not designed to do is cast blame or “gang up on” the person who has cheated.
Rebuilding Trust – Repairing Damage
In our experience, it is possible to rebuild trust and repair the damage after a revelation of cheating however, the process takes commitment, honest communication and of course, time. You can learn more about the process of marriage and couples counseling in the article, does marriage counseling work?
We believe in strong, healthy, stable relationships. If infidelity has occurred in your relationship (past or present), we encourage you to consider making an appointment with one of our couples/marriage counselors. Call us today at 773-598-7797 or send us an email through our contact form.