When betrayal hits a relationship, the ground beneath you shifts. The person who once felt safe now feels uncertain. Trust is replaced by vigilance, tenderness by distance.

Betrayal isn’t only about broken promises. It’s a trauma. The betrayed partner often experiences flashbacks, anxiety, or emotional withdrawal. The betraying partner may feel shame, confusion, and isolation. Both lose their sense of safety in the relationship. Ignoring that impact can harden pain into resentment. Facing it with structure and honesty creates the conditions for repair.

The goal in early sessions isn’t forgiveness. It’s clarity. The partner who caused harm must share the truth without minimizing. The partner who was hurt must have space to express the full range of feelings without being managed or silenced.

Healing from betrayal isn’t about returning to “normal.” It’s about creating a new foundation rooted in honesty, accountability, and emotional courage.

When your relationship feels stuck, tense, or disconnected, searching ‘relationship therapy near me’ can feel like a hopeful first step. But in a place like Marin County, where options range from high-end wellness centers to solo practitioners, how do you know what kind of support is truly going to help?

Unlike general talk therapy, relationship therapy focuses specifically on the patterns between partners: how you communicate, fight, make decisions, and repair after conflict.

When the school year ends, many couples feel the strain of 24/7 parenting. At Kodo Couples Therapy in Marin County, we see it every year: summer stress leads to resentment, emotional distance, and more relationship conflict.

If you’ve been wondering: ‘How do we stay connected during summer break with kids?’ You’re not alone and there’s hope.

Here are 5 therapist-backed strategies to help you protect your relationship and feel more like partners again.