Choosing to Stay

#113 Nervous System Safety After Betrayal: How to Rebuild Trust in a Traumatized Relationship


Listen Later

 In this episode, we explore how betrayal trauma impacts the nervous system and what it truly means to feel safe again in a relationship. If you or your partner have been affected by betrayal—whether through infidelity, secrecy, or other trust ruptures—this conversation will help you understand why emotional reactions are not just “drama,” but deeply rooted in trauma physiology.

We’ll talk about what happens in the body after betrayal, how to recognize the signs that safety is still missing, and how both partners can support healing and trust-building in real, practical ways. We also mention the upcoming Revive and Thrive Somatic Healing Intensive on Aug. 26-28, 2025. 

🔍 What We Cover:

  • When Safety Feels Out of Reach: Learn how betrayal trauma activates the nervous system, leading to anxiety, shutdown, or hyper-reactivity—not because your partner is “overreacting,” but because their body is trying to protect them.

  • Signs the Nervous System Doesn’t Feel Safe: From flinching at a tone of voice to needing constant reassurance, we’ll walk through common signs of nervous system dysregulation and how to respond with empathy instead of defensiveness.

  • Why This Happens—It’s Not Just Emotional, It’s Physiological: Discover how betrayal disrupts the brain’s ability to predict safety, and why true healing requires consistency, transparency, and time—not pressure to “just move on.”

  • What the Betrayed Partner Can Do: Gentle strategies to help you tune into your body, identify what feels unsafe, and take empowered steps toward self-awareness and grounding—without self-blame.

  • What the Partner in Recovery Can Do to Rebuild Trust: Learn how to become a safe, steady presence in your relationship by telling the truth, staying present, and witnessing pain without trying to fix it.

💬 Final Words of Encouragement: To the one healing from betrayal: Your body isn’t broken—it’s wise. To the one seeking to rebuild trust: You are not powerless. Your steady presence matters. To both: Healing is possible. Safety is possible. It begins with compassion, honesty, and showing up—again and again.

Thank you for tuning in!

We’re here to support couples healing from infidelity and betrayal, offering encouragement, practical skills, and expertise each week. As certified relational recovery coaches, we are passionate about guiding you toward hope, empathy, and lasting healing.

Stay connected with us and access all the resources we offer—coaching sessions, groups, and more—by visiting this link.

Your Hosts:

Hali RoderickCertified Relational Recovery CoachTICC, ACC, APSATS CPC, ERCEM-C, Brainspotting Practitioner

Read Hali’s Bio

Stephanie HambyCertified Relational Recovery CoachMCLC, ACC, APSATS CPC, ERCEM-CRead Stephanie’s Bio

We look forward to journeying with you!


...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Choosing to StayBy Choosing To Stay After Infidelity & Betrayal

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

49 ratings


More shows like Choosing to Stay

View all
The Save The Marriage Podcast by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D.

The Save The Marriage Podcast

414 Listeners

Relationship Radio: Marriage, Sex, Limerence & Avoiding Divorce by Dr. Joe Beam & Kimberly Beam Holmes: Experts in Fixing Marriages & Saving Relationships

Relationship Radio: Marriage, Sex, Limerence & Avoiding Divorce

502 Listeners

Betrayal Trauma Recovery by Anne Blythe, M.Ed.

Betrayal Trauma Recovery

1,406 Listeners

Healing Broken Trust In Your Marriage After Infidelity by Brad and Morgan Robinson

Healing Broken Trust In Your Marriage After Infidelity

740 Listeners

Relationship Revival Podcast: Expert Advice on Relationships, Marriage, Dating by Nicola Beer

Relationship Revival Podcast: Expert Advice on Relationships, Marriage, Dating

386 Listeners

Pure Desire Podcast by Pure Desire Ministries

Pure Desire Podcast

727 Listeners

From Crisis to Connection - with Geoff & Jody Steurer by Geoff & Jody Steurer

From Crisis to Connection - with Geoff & Jody Steurer

207 Listeners

Helping Couples Heal Podcast by Marnie Breecker

Helping Couples Heal Podcast

436 Listeners

Porn, Betrayal, Sex and the Experts — PBSE by Steve Moore & Mark Kastleman

Porn, Betrayal, Sex and the Experts — PBSE

174 Listeners

Therapy Brothers by Reclaimed Heart

Therapy Brothers

334 Listeners

Heal from Infidelity by Andrea Giles

Heal from Infidelity

321 Listeners

Rebuilding Us: Marriage Podcast by Dana Che - Christian Marriage  Coach & Speaker

Rebuilding Us: Marriage Podcast

170 Listeners

Redemptive Living Radio by Redemptive Living Radio

Redemptive Living Radio

201 Listeners

The Loving Truth by Sharon Pope

The Loving Truth

70 Listeners

Betrayal Recovery Radio: The Official Podcast of APSATS by Betrayal Recovery Radio

Betrayal Recovery Radio: The Official Podcast of APSATS

53 Listeners