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189. Healing from Infidelity: A Conversation with Dr. Talal H. Alsaleem

Release Date: 05/06/2025

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189. Healing from Infidelity: A Conversation with Dr. Talal H. Alsaleem

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More Episodes

Through candid anecdotes and evidence-based insights, Dr. Alsaleem walks listeners through the emotional aftermath of an affair, emphasizing the importance of empathy, self-reflection, and structured therapy. He delves into the nuances of rebuilding trust, setting healthy boundaries, and cultivating resilience in relationships, sharing success stories and cautionary examples from his SART™ practice. With discussion on navigating shame, managing forgiveness, and redefining intimacy, this episode offers both individuals and couples a compassionate roadmap for recovery.

Whether you’re healing from past wounds or seeking to fortify your partnership against future challenges, you’ll gain actionable advice, expert guidance, and renewed hope for a stronger, more authentic connection.

What You’ll Learn In This Episode:

Dr. Alsaleem developed SART™ after noticing traditional therapy lacked a tailored approach to infidelity recovery.
Infidelity is defined as a breach of an exclusivity contract—outsourcing emotional or physical needs without partner consent.
Affairs stem from three main roots: relationship deficits, individual mental health or trauma, and environmental factors (culture, occupation, technology).
Healing doesn’t always mean staying together; it can involve repairing the relationship or supporting individual trauma recovery.
Prevent infidelity by building relationship maturity: screen compatibility, foster open communication, and master conflict-resolution skills.
Common myths—like “once a cheater, always a cheater”—oversimplify a complex issue; informed choices and structured therapy can lead to lasting healing.

GUEST LINKS:

Dr. Talal. H. Alsaleem, PsyD, LMFT - https://www.talalalsaleem.com
Instagram (@dr.talal.h.alsaleem)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/infidelityrecoveryexpert
https://www.survivinginfidelitycounseling.com/about-dr-talal

LINKS:

www.thecompassionateconnection.com
www.warriorsunmasked.com
Join Chuck’s Text Community: 251-418-7966

Episode Minute By Minute:

00:00 – Introduction & overview of today’s conversation on infidelity recovery
02:00 – Chuck welcomes Dr. Alsaleem and sets the stage for healing from affairs
04:00 – Dr. Alsaleem shares his clinical journey and creation of SART™
08:00 – Gaps in standard therapy and redefining infidelity as a contract breach
12:00 – Three categories of infidelity causes: relational, individual, environmental
16:00 – Emotional impact on betrayed partners & common psychological reactions
20:00 – Strategies to prevent affairs: relationship maturity, communication, compatibility
24:00 – Debunking myths about cheating and reframing healing outcomes
28:00 – Recovery rates with SART™ and definitions of “success” in infidelity therapy
32:00 – Overview of Dr. Alsaleem’s books and additional resources
36:00 – Final thoughts, encouragement to listeners, and invitation to share this episode

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