When an affair occurs, the devastation can rip the emotional bonds between the people in a marriage or relationship. For the individual who cheated, rebuilding trust with their significant other may seem nearly impossible. The encouraging news is through couples counseling and a recommitment to restoring the love after infidelity is attainable. Here are several ways to heal following the aftermath of an affair.

4 Ways to Heal Your Relationship After an Affair

1. Be Completely Honest

Honesty is the foundation of any healthy relationship, and it is even more critical after infidelity. The cheating partner must be completely honest with their partner about what happened, why it happened, and what they plan to do to prevent it from happening again. This level of transparency can be challenging, but it is essential to rebuild trust.

2. Apologize

For an apology to be truly effective, the person who was unfaithful needs to acknowledge the pain, grief, and anger they caused. If there are children, apologizing for how the affair affected the family needs to also be front and center. Couples counseling specialists also suggest writing a letter of apology to offer an additional expression of the sorrow the affair caused their loved one. 

3. Honor All Requests

The betrayed partner will likely have many questions and requests for the cheating partner. It is crucial to honor these requests, no matter how difficult they may be. 

For example, the betrayed partner may ask for access to the cheating partner's phone or social media accounts. While this may be uncomfortable for the cheating partner, honoring these requests can help rebuild trust.

4. Practice Patience

Healing after infidelity takes time, and it is essential to practice patience. Both partners need to be committed to the healing process and willing to work through any challenges that arise. 

It is also crucial to remember that healing is not a linear process, and setbacks may occur. Patience, understanding, and a willingness to forgive are key to rebuilding trust and moving forward.

An affair doesn't automatically mean the end of a marriage or relationship. Feinberg & Associates in Lexington, KY, specializes in helping couples with healing and restoration. Led by Dr. David Feinberg, a forensic and clinical psychologist with more than 25 years of experience, marriage and couples counseling sessions are tailored for individuals from all walks of life. If an affair has affected your relationship, call (859) 233-3390 to schedule a consultation. The full lineup of services is also available online.