Infidelity is a deeply painful experience that can lead to feelings of inadequacy and leave lasting scars on your self-esteem. When a partner betrays your trust in this way, it’s hard not to doubt your worth, value, and attractiveness. You may find yourself ruminating on your perceived flaws, wondering why you weren’t “enough.”
Infidelity shatters the foundation of a relationship, leaving both partners in a whirlwind of emotions and uncertainty. Whether you're the betrayed partner or the one who strayed, navigating the aftermath of an affair requires courage, compassion, and a willingness to confront toxic beliefs that can hinder the healing process. Let’s explore five toxic beliefs for each of you – the betrayed partner and the one who cheated – and discuss what to do instead.
Dr. Kathy Nickerson
Dr. Kathy is a licensed clinical psychologist, author, and nationally recognized relationship expert who has helped thousands of couples. Over the past 20 years, Kathy has presented marriage and relationship advice at more than 70 conferences, while authoring more than 85 professional articles and books, with coverage in Good Housekeeping, Reader's Digest, CNBC, Bustle, Medium, UpJourney, Fatherly, The Zoe Report, CNN, Forbes, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, LA Times, Newsweek and many more.