How do you recover when the person you love has betrayed you? Author Michelle Mays (LPC, CSAT-S) joins Luke Gordon to explore The Betrayal Bind — the painful paradox of needing the very person who hurt you. Discover how attachment theory, betrayal trauma, and nervous system science explain what happens after infidelity and how both partners can rebuild trust.

Topics include:

• The three wounds of betrayal: emotional, attachment, and sexual

• Why “attachment ambivalence” feels like chaos

• How betrayed and betraying partners can reconnect safely

Connect with Michelle:

• Braving Hope Coaching Program

• Relational Recovery

• Facebook

• Book: The Betrayal Bind

💡 Brought to you by Choose Recovery Services — guiding individuals and couples through betrayal trauma recovery.

Chapters

• 01:18 Introducing Michelle Mays

• 04:48 The Betrayal Bind

• 07:06 Attachment and Betrayal

• 11:30 Navigating Safe Relationships

• 13:30 Wounds From Betrayal

• 18:04 Sexual Injuries and Recovery

• 21:31 Attachment Ambivalence 

• 28:02 Attunement and Responsiveness 

• 32:08 Building Trust Through Consistency

Watch the episode on YouTube ⁠HERE⁠

Register Now!

• Rise, Renew, Restore Somatic Healing Retreat in Costa Rica: Join us this July for a transformative 5-day intensive created specifically for women healing from betrayal trauma or navigating divorce. This is your opportunity to reconnect with your body's wisdom, release what you've been carrying, and heal alongside other women who truly understand your journey. Spots are limited so register early!

• Revive and Thrive Somatic  Intensive for Women - Join us for a transformative four-day somatic healing intensive for women carrying trauma and tension in their bodies. Experience gentle release through expert-guided breathwork, brainspotting, energy healing, and nature immersion as you reclaim your body. Intensive is Jan 27-30, 2026 in Spanish Fork, Utah. 

• We don’t want finances to get in the way of your healing. Scholarships and payment plans (including buy now, pay later options) are available for all of our intensives. 

Connect With Us:

• Learn more about Luke here. 

• Schedule a complimentary consultation here.

• Don’t miss an episode! Join our email list and get notified when new episodes air! 

• Follow us on Instagram @choose_recovery_services   

Wanting more? Choose Recovery Services offers many courses specifically for men:

• Beyond the Facade: Men’s Healing Group - This group helps men move through the pains of addiction, relationship healing, managing emotions, and moving past shame. You’ll learn how to better connect with others, understand your own emotional experience, and build a deeper sense of self respect.

• Help. Her. Heal - This program is for men seeking to learn more about empathy, conflict resolution, and healthy communication. 

Additional Resources from Choose Recovery Services:

• Intensives - Accelerate your healing journey with one of our intensives, available year-round for individuals, couples, and professionals. Our intensives foster connection with others who share similar experiences, creating an immersive environment that enables profound transformation in a short period of time.

• Road to Recovery Webinar - Join us on the second Sunday of each month for a FREE interactive discussion that explores tools and strategies to support individuals and couples navigating the challenges of recovery following betrayal. 

• Choose To Be Podcast - This podcast focuses on helping women heal from infidelity and betrayal trauma.

• Healing Hearts - This is for couples seeking healing after betrayal. It emphasizes the development of empathy, integrity, and authentic intimacy. 

• Choose Healing - Weekly support group for women who have recently experienced betrayal and are needing help coping with the symptoms of trauma. 

Learn more and register for courses at chooserecoveryservices.com