Most people assume that infidelity is just about moral weakness, deceit or hostility. But infidelity is about many things. People who are unfaithful sometimes act out of anger, because they feel they are not being heard, understood, respected or loved. Some women report that they are in marriages in which they feel unloved and unattractive. So when another man expresses interest, she is vulnerable.
Many men report similar emotions.
If the affair is a symptom of a marriage that has been empty and devoid of care for years, or if one partner is using the affair as an excuse to get out of the marriage, the prognosis for recovery is poor. But couples can recover from infidelity if both are committed to the relationship. The process can be difficult and painful, and the outcome cannot be assured, but if the work is successful, the relationship can grow and become closer. It's important to note that the chances for recovery also improve if the couple consults a trained marital therapist. The first part of the work with Steven and Brenda involved Steven hearing Brenda's story.