3 Ways Christian Counseling Can Help a Sex Addict’s Spouse

The discovery that one’s spouse is involved in destructive sexual behavior can make one feel as if the whole world has fallen apart. When a spouse discloses his or her destructive sexual behaviors, such as viewing pornography, masturbation or extramarital affairs, it can be a very difficult time for the partner. So often the primary focus is on the sex addict, including the symptoms and the causes of sex addiction and the journey to freedom from sexual addiction. While these are important, it is also essential for the spouse to seek help and support during this difficult time, and this crucial need should not be overlooked.

Christian counseling provides support for a hurting spouse in many different ways. This article will be taking a closer look at three of the ways Christian counseling can benefit you.

Christian Counseling Can Help You Care For Yourself

It is very common for partners to experience a traumatic loss of self as they make compromises within the relationship. It isn’t uncommon for the betrayed spouse to feel sorry for the sex addict and to focus more on them. But it is essential that the spouse take time to care for themselves during this time. Counseling can help a client see that caring for oneself can create structure, minimize controlling behavior patterns, and reduce anxiety. Caring for yourself can involve a variety of different things and will look different for each person. Self-care can include activities such as going to counseling, attending a support group, journaling, listening to music, taking a bubble bath, or going for a walk. It can also involve having fun with family and friends and getting plenty of rest and exercise. By caring for yourself, you will have plenty of energy to make meaningful decisions and to find direction in a very difficult process.

Christian Counseling Can Help You To Accept Your Feelings

Most adults have never learned how to express emotions in healthy ways. In fact many people are very good at suppressing their feelings, numbing pain and just moving on. When a spouse experiences her partner’s betrayal, the feelings she experiences are overwhelming and range from manageable to very intense. Shock, denial, anger and hopelessness are only some of the emotions that a hurting spouse can expect to experience. It is very important to understand that, in order for you to heal your hurts, you must acknowledge the hurt and recognize its raw pain and the consequences it has in your daily life. Counseling can help you learn to identify your emotions, label them and express them in healthy ways. It is only when you are able to express emotions that you can begin to work through the grieving process and start to heal.

Christian Counseling Can Help You To Set Boundaries

Boundaries are very important in any relationship, including your relationship with yourself. When betrayal and infidelity have impacted a relationship, boundaries become even more important. You need to consider what you require in order to feel safe within the relationship, regardless of whether or not you decide to continue the relationship. The concept of boundaries is very new to most people, and learning about and creating boundaries will be a vital step towards creating some order within chaos. Boundaries will help you to define where you end and where your spouse begins. They can help you to take responsibility for your life and to recognize where you have taken responsibility for others. In taking responsibility for yourself you will find the freedom to care for yourself. This in turn makes it possible to break free from destructive cycles of controlling behavior, focus your attention on the aspects of life you can control, and experience healthier relationships.

Christian Counseling and the Journey Toward Healing

For the betrayed partner, every day brings a new battle that can feel overwhelming and chaotic. This can make the road to healing very slow and painful. If you commit to healing for yourself you will find that, in time, you will develop strength and hope that you never knew you had. If you are experiencing pain because of the impact of your spouse’s sexual addiction, I would be honored to assist you as you journey toward healing. It’s not an easy road but there is hope, and Christian counseling can be a valuable support as you journey along it.

Photos

Photos are from FreeDigitalPhotos.net: “Girl With Broken Heart Concept” and “Old Picture Of Fence”