5 Helpful Tips to Find the Right Therapist to Help You Heal From Betrayal Trauma

Trauma can be very complex and difficult to deal with. Therefore, it is important to understand your own trauma so you can determine how you can heal. Betrayal trauma adds another layer of complexity to the issue of trauma. However, some do not seek treatment. Instead, they live with ongoing symptoms for months and even years. Could you be living with betrayal trauma symptoms? 

Betrayal trauma is a type of trauma in which one person deceives or harms another who relies on them for trust, support, security, or survival. For example, this could occur within romantic relationships. When a partner significantly violates trust through infidelity or addiction, it can be traumatic. Another situation could be through a parent-child relationship where there is abuse or neglect. Although difficult, with the help of a therapist, you can begin your healing journey. 

In this article, we will talk about betrayal trauma and how it may differ from other trauma such as PTSD. We will also provide 5 helpful tips on how to find the right therapist for you.



How is Betrayal Trauma Different from PTSD?

When there is a severe violation of trust in a relationship, such as a parent-child relationship, betrayal trauma can occur. Some examples could be physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or neglect in childhood. Another example of this form of trauma is infidelity in romantic relationships. Domestic violence can also lead to betrayal trauma. Likewise, in situations where organizations violate the trust of the people, betrayal trauma can occur. 

One challenge of betrayal trauma is how we react to it. For example, a spouse may blame themselves rather than hold their partner accountable. Another idea is that because a person relies on the other for support, they may push aside feelings from the trauma to preserve the relationship. For example, to survive, a child may try to ignore the betrayal or begin to dissociate. This can complicate matters. Therefore, it's crucial to find a therapist who can help with these difficult issues.

PTSD occurs when there is a threat of imminent danger to your life or someone around you. For example, war, natural disasters, a severe car accident, or experiencing violence can all lead to PTSD. The difference is, infidelity, for example, when you discover your spouse has been cheating, it's not often that your life is at risk. However, the betrayal can be traumatic. As a result, symptoms similar to PTSD can form. 

What Does Betrayal Trauma Feel Like?



AddoRecovery.com specializes in helping and treating those living with betrayal trauma. Regardless of being physical or online, the heartache and suffering from sexual infidelity can be excruciating. Often, it's difficult to explain the wide range of emotions you're feeling. As a result, there are a variety of symptoms that can develop. What does betrayal trauma feel like? What are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing?

• Overwhelming emotions
• Problems sleeping, falling asleep, staying asleep, sleeping too much
• 'Brain fog,' hard time focusing, memory issues
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Anxiety/panic attacks
• Depression
• Intrusive images/flashbacks
• Difficulty caring for self or others
• Isolation

This is not an inclusive list of symptoms you may experience. Betrayal trauma is complex and can affect everyone differently. 

With professional support, you can begin the healing process. So, how do you find someone you can trust to take this difficult journey with you? 

What is the Treatment for Betrayal Trauma?



Healing from betrayal trauma can be very difficult to do on your own. Due to the nature of the issues you may face, we recommend seeking professional help and support. 

Finding the right therapist can be a bit of a process. After all, you deserve to feel as comfortable as possible as you work through such complex feelings and issues.

Here are 5 helpful tips that may help you find the right therapist to help you heal from betrayal trauma. 



1. Help and healing can begin when you're working with someone you connect with and trust. This doesn't always happen on the first visit or with the first therapist you see. Remember, it's essential for you to feel a level of trust and connection with your therapist. Therefore, it's ok if you determine you need to switch to someone else. 
2. It's important to find someone who knows how to treat betrayal trauma. Therefore, it may be a good idea to visit a potential therapist's website to discover their specialization. If applicable, you may want to find a therapist who has experience in treating abuse or neglect. Likewise, it may be beneficial to work with a therapist who knows how to identify and treat attachment and trust issues. Therefore, take time to ask questions. This may help you feel confident that you're working with someone you can trust through this challenging process of healing. 
3. If the betrayal occurs with your spouse, you may want to find a therapist who can work with both you and your partner together and individually. 
4. A variety of mental health agencies maintain searchable lists of licensed practitioners in your area. For example, BloomforWomen.com has a list of therapists who are all certified in betrayal trauma therapy. 
5. Ask around. You may have a close group of friends or a religious leader you trust who could recommend someone. Knowing ahead of time that what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another is key. As such, if you find the recommendation falls short of your expectations, it's ok to keep looking until you find the right person. 

At the end of the day, your healing and recovery from betrayal trauma are most important. 

As such, you deserve to be in a place that feels safe and inviting. At AddoRecovery.com, we have a wide variety of therapists who have specialized training in treating betrayal trauma. There are a variety of professionals who are eager to help you through this process. Visit our Find a therapist section to start your healing journey today.