Betrayal is a painful experience that can leave lasting emotional scars. Whether it stems from infidelity, deceit, or a breach of trust, the impact of betrayal is that you don’t feel like you can trust anyone, even yourself. But other people are exactly what you need during this time.
Betrayal trauma groups provide a unique and safe space to share your experiences, find validation, and receive emotional support from others who are experiencing similar things. The people in these groups help you feel heard and understood as you work to heal from betrayal.
Understanding Betrayal Trauma
Betrayal trauma is the emotional pain you experience after someone you trust betrays you. It makes you question your judgment and feel like you can’t trust anyone again.
This type of trauma can originate with betrayal from anyone you rely on and feel close to, including a parent, friend, romantic partner, or even an organization you depend on for guidance that turns out not to be what you expected.
When this type of betrayal happens, it can alter your mind and body and leave you with physical and emotional symptoms, including:
- Anxiety or intrusive thoughts
- Depression, or feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
- Hypervigilance or feeling that nothing is safe
- A sense of inadequacy or embarrassment
- Decreased self-esteem
- Shame, self-blame, or decreased self-esteem
- Isolation and withdrawal
- Loss of personal identity
- Experiencing “fog” or feeling “out of it”
- Insomnia, trouble falling asleep, or difficulty staying asleep
- Being unable to make decisions or trust your decision-making
- Mood swings, including rage, confusion, and restlessness
- Dissociation by separating the event from everyday life and continuing as if it didn’t happen
- Physical health problems due to stress and trauma, like headaches, chronic fatigue, stomach issues, and even immune and endocrine system problems
What Are Betrayal Trauma Groups?
You can heal from the trauma of betrayal, and a betrayal trauma group can help. These groups provide a safe, structured environment where you can share your feelings, process the trauma, and learn strategies for healing. The focus of these groups is helping you understand your response to the betrayal and to rebuilding your sense of trust in yourself and others.
Betrayal trauma groups can be:
- In-Person. Meeting face-to-face offers the personal connection that can be crucial if you feel isolated. These groups create a shared space for people to bond and heal. Begin Again Institute’s Partner Intensive is an example of this type of group.
- Online. Some people may feel more comfortable participating in a group from home or may not have access to an in-person group. Online betrayal trauma groups are an excellent option for these people. Begin Again Institute’s Partner Support Program is an example of an online betrayal trauma group.
When searching for a betrayal trauma group, find a group facilitated by a trauma-informed therapist who has the expertise to guide you toward healing.
Benefits of Betrayal Trauma Groups
Overcoming betrayal trauma requires that you have emotional support while you unpack your response to what happened to you. Betrayal trauma groups provide this support and more. Here are some of the benefits of these groups.
Validation and Understanding
One of the most powerful aspects of betrayal trauma groups is the sense of validation participants experience. Betrayal can make you feel isolated or misunderstood. These groups help you realize you’re not alone in this experience or with the pain.
Coping Strategies
Healing from betrayal trauma can feel overwhelming, especially when emotions seem unpredictable. Betrayal trauma groups are led by trained facilitators who can provide coping strategies for managing these feelings. These strategies may include trauma or addiction education, mindfulness techniques, grounding exercises, and other methods to help you process and regulate your emotions.
Accountability and Growth
Betrayal trauma groups focus on healing, but they also encourage personal growth. The group dynamic fosters a sense of accountability as you share your progress and challenges. You’re more likely to take the next step in your recovery when you have people who know your story cheering you on.
What to Expect in a Betrayal Trauma Group
Sharing your trauma is vulnerable and frightening. Knowing what to expect in a betrayal trauma group can help you see how helpful the process can be and eliminate some of the uncertainty you may feel about joining such a group.
Group Structure
Betrayal trauma groups usually follow a structured format that encourages open sharing, listening, and emotional processing. While each group may vary slightly, these groups generally consist of:
- Check-Ins. At the beginning of the group, participants may be asked to update the group on how things are going.
- Guided Discussions. A facilitator then usually guides the conversation on a topic related to betrayal trauma, such as rebuilding trust, establishing boundaries, and managing feelings of anger or sadness.
- Sharing. Many groups encourage you to voluntarily share your personal experiences or struggles.
Common Topics
Betrayal trauma groups focus on helping you understand and heal from betrayal, so common topics include:
- Trust Rebuilding. Betrayal erodes trust. So, one of the central themes in betrayal trauma healing is learning how to rebuild trust in others and in yourself.
- Self-Worth. Betrayal trauma can leave you questioning your worth. Many groups focus on exercises and discussions that help restore self-esteem and self-compassion.
- Emotional Regulation. Betrayal results in overwhelming emotions. So, these groups help you build skills to maintain emotional balance.
- Setting Boundaries. A key element of healing from betrayal is establishing healthy boundaries, which is a skill you likely need to study and practice.
Confidentiality
Most betrayal trauma groups have guidelines to ensure a safe and supportive environment. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of these groups. What is shared within the group stays within the group, allowing you to speak freely without fear of judgment or gossip.
Healing From Betrayal
Betrayal and healing from it is personal, but that doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. Betrayal trauma groups offer a supportive space to share experiences, learn coping strategies, and get support from people who understand what you’re experiencing.
If you’re ready to heal from the trauma of betrayal, Begin Again Institute is ready to help. Our Partner Support Program is free to the spouses of those enrolled in our men’s intensive programs. But our Partner Intensive Program is for women seeking greater healing on their own.
Learn more and take the first step toward healing by contacting us today.
Edward Tilton is a proven behavioral healthcare leader with an established track record in the recovery industry space. As an accomplished healthcare leader, Ed has diverse management experience including clinical and business operations, expansion of program development, and clinical service offerings.
