In this episode of the Helping Couples Heal podcast, Marnie talks with Dr. Kevin Skinner about gaslighting and abuse in the context of betrayal trauma. Together, they explore how psychological abuse and gaslighting impacts betrayed partners and creates a significant barrier to relational healing and emotional intimacy. While an incredibly painful topic that can also trigger immense shame and a host of other difficult emotions, turning towards the reality of abuse is the only way to heal.

In this episode of Helping Couples Heal, Marnie Breecker speaks with Jaclyn Schwartz, licensed therapist and betrayal trauma expert , to discuss the transformative impact of workshops for couples navigating betrayal.

They explore the importance of hearing the same expert education and guidance together, the power of connecting with other couples facing similar challenges, and why early intervention is crucial to prevent further trauma caused by well-meaning but ill-informed professionals.

Marnie and Jaclyn are hosting the next Helping Couples Heal 2-Day Workshop on January 30-31, 2025, where couples will gain a shared understanding of betrayal’s impact and leave with a defined roadmap to heal and rebuild together.

To learn more please send an email to [email protected]

To book a free discovery call please click this link 🔗: https://letsmeet.io/helpingcouplesheal2/free-15-minute-zoom-call

Don’t miss this essential conversation for couples seeking healing , clarity, and connection.

In this episode, Mamie and Ilyse share the story behind the creation of the EmpowerHer course and the need for this for women staying in the relationship, leaving the relationship or are unsure and haven't made that decision yet. They discuss how the aftermath of betrayal throws women into a whirlwind of unfamiliar world of addiction, Infidelity, and recovery. This often leaves them feeling shattered, lost, and spending years of their lives navigating a world they never asked to be in.

The EmpowerHer program shifts the focus Inward, creating a new conversation; one that prioritizes self-reconnection. It's about reclaiming her confidence, finding, and strengthening her voice, restoring her intuition while creating a vision for her life. This is a relationship program and empowers women to rebuild their lives from the Inside-cultivating a deeply connected and committed relationship with themselves.

You will learn more about the EmpowerHer course and how to join-whether through self- study at your own pace or by participating in our 12-week group coaching program starting January 7, 2025 and connecting with a supportive community of women seeking clarity and a new, empowered narrative for their lives.

This week I decided to re-release an old podcast episode from 2019 when me and Duane first interviewed Dr. Omar Minwalla. Since the time of this interview, Dr. Minwalla has expanded his model to include terms such as compulsive entitled sexuality and integrity abuse and I decided to re-introduce this initial interview to provide some context and understanding of where we are now and how we got here. The model referred to in this episode is an integral part of the Helping Couples Heal poly-theoretical approach to treating betrayal trauma.

In this episode of the Helping Couples Heal podcast, Marnie and Ilyse dive into the profound impact betrayal has on self-trust, exploring how infidelity and sex addiction can leave betrayed partners questioning their intuition, worth, and decision-making abilities. Together, they unpack the ways betrayal damages one’s ability to trust oneself and share actionable steps towards empowerment and self-trust. With empathy and expertise, they offer a compassionate guide to help listeners reconnect with their inner strength, rebuild confidence, and find their way back to themselves. Whether you’re navigating betrayal personally or supporting someone who is, this episode provides invaluable tools for healing.

This week I decided to re-release an episode from April 2023 when Duane and I interviewed Ted Bunch, the COO and co-Founder of A Call to Men.

Recently Helping Couples Heal has been focusing a great deal of attention on the topic of male socialization and male sexual entitlement. This interview with Ted provides an opportunity to further the conversation and facilitate a deep dive into the unhealthy psychology that fuels sex addiction and betrayal.

In this episode of the Helping Couples Heal podcast, Marnie talks about the importance of consistency in healing from betrayal. Marnie candidly and directly guides both betrayed partners and betrayers to develop an understanding of what consistently means in the context of betrayal and how the role consistently plays in helping couples heal.  

In our last episode, Marnie talked about how to move forward after betrayal with a partner who refuses to provide safety, reassurance, consistency and active participation in the healing process. In this episode of the Helping Couples Heal podcast, Marnie and Ilyse continue the conversation, this time turning the focus to the betraying partner. Just as the betrayed partner has important life altering decisions to make, so does the person who caused the relational destruction. These decisions must be navigated in the spirit of a fierce commitment to truth and reality, both elements which were non-existent for the betrayed partner prior to discovery.  

While both partners have difficult decisions to make in the aftermath of betrayal, the discussion of the betraying partner in this context is often neglected or dismissed. In this candid discussion, Marnie and Ilyse explore some hard questions including how can the betrayer even consider leaving a relationship after years of betrayal and deception and under what circumstances could it be the kindest and most honoring of the betrayed partner to make the decision to leave.

The Unchangeable Truth: We Can't Change Others

In this episode of the Helping Couples Heal podcast, Marnie talks about the pain and confusion that arises for couples when one partner is not doing the work to heal. She gently and compassionately addresses the hard truth that nobody can force another person to do recovery work, demonstrate empathy, tell the truth, change and/or heal. Using the metaphor of a bridge, we will explore the frustration and grief that accompanies the healing process, specifically when one partner isn't willing or able to cross the bridge together.  

In this episode of the Helping Couples Heal podcast, Marnie talks to HCH coaches Susan and Scott Rankin, a husband and wife with their own story of relational betrayal and healing. Susan and Scott vulnerably share their journey of healing and rebuilding their relationship and open up about the painful impact the addiction had on their lives and their relationship and the path that led them back to themselves and each other.

Listeners will hear about the pivotal moments in their recovery journey, including the decision to seek therapy, the role of honesty and vulnerability, and the long, challenging process of rebuilding trust. Susan and Scott share the tools and resources that helped them, the support systems they leaned on, and the personal growth they each experienced.

This episode offers a powerful message of hope for anyone facing similar challenges, highlighting the possibility of healing and resilience even after the deepest wounds. Whether you're dealing with betrayal in your own life or simply seeking to understand the complexities of addiction and recovery in relationships, this conversation provides valuable insights and inspiration.