Is Therapeutic Separation Right For My Relationship?
Overcoming Betrayal & Addiction
Release Date: 11/14/2025
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Is Therapeutic Separation Right For My Relationship?
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On this Seeking Integrity webinar, therapist Debbie McRae discusses therapeutic separation as an effective intervention for couples struggling with the impact of betrayal and addiction. She highlights the structure of therapeutic separation as a compassionate approach to help both individuals regain safety, clarity and hope in the relationship. She and Tami then answer participant questions about therapeutic separation, when it’s the right next move, and what to do when it didn’t resolve your relationship issues. TAKEAWAYS: [:55] The possibilities with therapeutic or healing...
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Licensed marriage and family therapist Kristin Snowden discusses carried shame and the danger of absorbing a betraying partner’s shame-filled life. She offers hope and tools for resiliency so that a betrayed partner can move through their own healing and get their lives and self-worth back again. She and Tami then answer participant questions about shame, addiction, and healing. TAKEAWAYS: [1:30] Understanding the terms associated with trauma healing, addiction recovery, and carried shame. [4:37] The importance of knowing your own shame stories. [5:20] Defining...
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Betrayal Induced Existential Crisis
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Angela Spearman, CSAT describes “globalized mistrust” as the tsunami of impact on betrayed partners after discovery. But what are the core thoughts and fears underlying and maintaining that tsunami once it gets going? Together with Tami she addresses strategies for dealing with uncertainty, then answers participant questions about betrayal, boundaries, and triggers and more. TAKEAWAYS: [2:09] The catalyst for the existential experience and global mistrust. [5:20] Common questions from the betrayed partner (and what they really mean). [7:27] Reshaping...
info_outlineOn this Seeking Integrity webinar, therapist Debbie McRae discusses therapeutic separation as an effective intervention for couples struggling with the impact of betrayal and addiction. She highlights the structure of therapeutic separation as a compassionate approach to help both individuals regain safety, clarity and hope in the relationship. She and Tami then answer participant questions about therapeutic separation, when it’s the right next move, and what to do when it didn’t resolve your relationship issues.
TAKEAWAYS:
[:55] The possibilities with therapeutic or healing separation.
[2:07] Common scenarios in couples dealing with betrayal.
[3:00] Is therapeutic separation right for my relationship?
[6:04] The purpose and plan of therapeutic separation.
[10:34] Realistic separation timelines and action plans.
[17:47] Addressing common therapeutic separation fears.
[24:57] Managing the message to others.
[29:45] What to do when you’re stuck.
[32:11] The importance of regular therapist check ins.
[36:32] How does therapeutic separation end?
[40:16] What is the difference between sobriety and recovery?
[47:54] My partner is gaslighting me. Would in-home separation help?
[52:19] How do I know if my partner is really doing the work?
[57:08] Therapeutic separation didn’t work. How do I move forward?
RESOURCES:
Email Tami: Tami@Seekingintegrity.com
Prodependence: Moving Beyond Codependency, by Robert Weiss
Sex Addiction 101: A Basic Guide to Healing from Sex, Porn, and Love Addiction, by Robert Weiss
Cruise Control: Understanding Sex Addiction in Gay Men, by Robert Weiss
Seeking Integrity Podcasts are produced in partnership with Podfly Productions.
QUOTES
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“Therapeutic separation aims at creating stability, safety, and gives each individual time to gain insights.”
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“As you define clear goals and understand the purpose of therapeutic separation, it becomes a roadmap for healing.”
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“In therapeutic separation, both partners are fully committed to doing their recovery work.”
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“All of this is scary, but the scariest thing is staying stuck.”