Emotion: depression
Problem: breakup with partner
Situation: My boyfriend cheated on me and I found out 6 months later at work from a customer. I was so embarrassed. I did not eat for days.

user: Hello I am very sad today. My partner is cheating on me.

assistant: Cheating on you?

user: Yes. With another woman.

assistant: How do you know that your partner is cheating on you? Did he tell you that he is?

user: I was told by a customer at work. I do not know this person well, yet they knew the person he was cheating on me with. He will not admit it himself.

assistant: I am sorry if your partner is cheating. So, your partner denies the charge of cheating? Are you and your partner married?

user: Yes. He says the person who told me is lying. We are not married but we live together.

assistant: How long have you been in a relationship with your man?

user: 2 years

assistant: So, 2 years should be long enough to know if your partner has been cheating.

user: What do you mean exactly?

assistant: Are you someone who trusts people? I think that most men would fess up about it.

user: I guess all people are different. I generally trust people easily.

assistant: Does he show affection to you? If he is adamant about loving you, then, it may be false allegations.

user: That is true. He is but, has been distant lately.

assistant: I have had coworkers lie and be jealous that I have a good relationship with my partner.

user: Do you think maybe it was a rumor started by someone who could be jealous?

assistant: Ash your partner if he loves you enough to propose marriage. If he says no, then ask him why.

user: That is a good point.

assistant: Yes, workers can be a real problem and can make up stories about people. Slander in the work place happens. Unfortunately, lies and rumors are just that.

user: I am not sure if I am okay with giving him an ultimatum. We are still young and although I love being in a relationship, I am unsure about marriage. But I appreciate your suggestions and you make a great point about the workplace being hostile

assistant: Sure, I understand.

user: I should trust my partner more than any random person.

assistant: Yes, the workplace is not like home life. Yes, trust matters.

user: But every time i bring it up, he tries to change the subject. How should I approach him to communicate better?

assistant: I would see if he wants to spend time doing things like volunteering after work. If he says yes, or is excited, that is a good sign that he wants to be with you....even after work.

user: okay! that is a good idea. Maybe I can research something and see if there is anything new we can do together.

assistant: Find things that he has in common or energize the relationship. Yes, ask him if he wants to learn to swing dance or take skiing lessons or volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.

user: That is a good point. It is just hard to go on with the relationship when I feel I do not know the whole truth and there is little discussion or reassurance.

assistant: You have done your part, but if he wants to show you affection on a regular basis, that is a good sign. How old are the both of you?

user: Okay. I will keep that in mind. We are 22.

assistant: Are you intimate with your partner, on a regular basis?

user: Yes but less over the past few months.

assistant: Spicing up the live life can also help to energize hings. I mean, the love life. Te lack in the last few months could be a physical issue or stress related....for him. Does he mention a lot of stress at the job or is he in college? 22 is young. You are both relatively young. I feel that there is plenty to learn about each other.

user: That's understandable. Maybe I can communicate with him first.

assistant: How do you all generally communicate? Through text?

user: He is going to law school and I am going to med school. There is a ton of stress on both ends.

assistant: Which do you and your man like to communicate?

user: No live together so we use call, text, and see each other in person. I communicate much more than he does. Thats why I think he is hiding something.

assistant: Well, you and your man are under a lot of stress, so keep that in mind. The study may be making him withdraw a lot.

user: You are right. I will try to be more sensitive about that. Thank you for your help.

assistant: I would ask his fellow students, if you know any of them if they think he really loves you.

user: Do you think getting other people involved is a good idea?

assistant: I would be subtle about that tactic. If you haven't met any of his school mates. I wouldn't pursue that option. Have you met any of his class mates?

user: Yeah he has a few close friends but he is pretty to himself. We both live far away from home.

assistant: Are you and him directly off campuses in housing? You both attend the same college, correct?

user: Yes off campus. Same college.

assistant: Where do you work? Have you seen the customer who said that your partner was cheating? Seen the customer before? Was it a man or woman who dropped the shocking news? I feel that the customer may have a case of mistaken identity indeed.

user: I work at a bar part time to support may way through school. It was a women. I know her, but not well. Met a few times around school.

assistant: Sounds like drunk slander talk. I would let things go for awhile and follow up later.