Tell us about Dr. K ...
"If your best friend was a marriage counselor, she'd be Dr. Kathy!" - Bhavin S, London
"It's impossible to say how much better my life is because of our time with Dr. Kathy. Without her, we wouldn't have made it and my family would be broken in two. She helped us learn how to talk to each other, how to really listen, and most importantly, how to get to the bottom of our problems. If you need to get over an affair, call Dr. K today." - Chris S, Laguna Beach
"She is an excellent psychologist with a calm and reassuring demeanor. She is respected by both peers and patients. Kathy is an excellent role model, as well as a true asset to all she works with. You'll be in excellent hands with Dr. Kathy." - Dr. Bahareh Khavarian, MD
When you have been hurt by infidelity, the path forward can feel overwhelming. You do not need generic advice; you need specialized, expert guidance from someone who has walked hundreds of couples over "affair mountain".
I am Dr. Kathy Nickerson, a licensed clinical psychologist (PSY 20446) and affair recovery expert. For more than 20 years, I have focused exclusively on helping couples and individuals heal after affairs and betrayal. I have published award-winning books, led one of the largest research studies on infidelity, and taught millions of people through social media, articles, support groups, and masterclasses.
Over time I realized something important: traditional weekly therapy is not always the most effective way to help couples heal after an affair. Many people need a clear plan, targeted strategies, and periodic course corrections, not endless weekly sessions that rehash the same pain. That is why I now work through private consultations.
Ready to Schedule?
Click below to schedule your private consultation.
What is a Consultation?
A consultation is a focused, 55-minute private session where we dig into your situation and map out your next steps. Together, we will:
- Identify the issues that are keeping you stuck
- Create a practical plan to move forward
- Discuss how to manage triggers, rebuild trust, and communicate effectively
- Determine which skills to practice between sessions
I recommend consultations on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. This gives you space to work on strategies while keeping me available to guide you at critical points in your recovery.
If you would like to speak to someone right away for personal support, I encourage you to consider my associate, Coach Courtney. Should you like assistance with a parenting issue, please consider Angelika Broederlow at the Seamless Blend. You can also see my full list of colleague referrals here.
Why Consult Instead of Weekly Therapy?
- Specialization: I focus exclusively on affair recovery and betrayal trauma.
- Efficiency: We meet as needed to keep you on track instead of meeting every week by default.
- Perspective: You benefit from the combined lens of clinician, researcher, and author who has studied thousands of cases.
- Support: Between consultations, you can tap into my masterclasses, support groups, and other resources.
Who Is This For?
- Individuals coping with betrayal trauma who want expert direction
- Couples trying to rebuild after an affair who want a clear roadmap
- People who prefer targeted guidance and practice between sessions over indefinite weekly therapy
What to Expect
- Length: 55 minutes
- Fee: $350 per session
- Format: Virtual (via Zoom, FaceTime, or Phone with limited in-person availability in Orange County, CA)
- Frequency: Monthly, bi-monthly, or as needed
- Insurance: Sessions are prepaid at the time of scheduling, your insurance may reimburse you
Ready to Begin?
Click below to schedule your private affair recovery consultation.
A Note About Ongoing Therapy: I focus on consultations for affair recovery and do not offer ongoing weekly therapy. If you prefer traditional therapy, please reach out to one of my trusted colleagues here: Colleague List