Discovering that a partner has engaged in secretive or compulsive sexual behaviour can be deeply distressing. It may disrupt your sense of safety, trust and understanding of the relationship you believed you had.
Partners can experience shock, anger, grief, anxiety, confusion and self-doubt. Some struggle with intrusive thoughts, disrupted sleep or a strong need to search for further information. These responses may continue even after the sexual behaviour has stopped or the person has entered recovery.
You do not have to manage this experience alone.
A supportive space for partners
The Partners Programme offers a confidential and professionally facilitated space in which you can speak openly, reflect on what has happened and receive support from others with related experiences.
The programme focuses on your wellbeing and recovery. You will not be blamed for your partner’s behaviour, expected to monitor their recovery or pressured to forgive, reconcile or make decisions before you are ready.
You do not need to know whether you wish to remain in the relationship in order to attend.
What the programme explores
The programme may help you to:
- reduce isolation and connect with others who understand
- make sense of the emotional impact of discovery and disclosure
- understand compulsive sexual behaviour without excusing harmful choices
- recognise the effects of secrecy, deception and betrayal
- rebuild trust in your own perceptions and judgement
- identify your needs, boundaries and sources of support
- manage triggers, uncertainty and repeated reassurance-seeking
- communicate more clearly without abandoning yourself
- make considered decisions about your relationship and future
- begin rebuilding a sense of identity, confidence and personal agency
Your recovery matters
Partners can become understandably focused on whether the behaviour has stopped, whether everything has been disclosed and whether trust can ever be restored. In that process, their own emotional and physical wellbeing can become neglected.
Partner recovery involves bringing the attention back to you: what you have experienced, what you need now and what will help you feel safer and more grounded.
Your recovery is important whether the relationship continues or ends.
Programme format
The programme is facilitated by an experienced psychotherapist specialising in compulsive sexual behaviour, relationship difficulties and the impact of betrayal.
Groups are limited to eight participants to provide sufficient space for each person while maintaining the support and connection of a group.
Please contact us for information about forthcoming programme dates and availability.
Taking the next step
If your relationship has been affected by compulsive sexual behaviour and you would like to discuss whether the Partners Programme may be suitable for you, please get in touch.
Email:info@relationship-recovery.co.uk
Telephone: 07939 624790