Page 14 - Boca Club News - August '23

Page 14, Boca Club News
Mental Health Memo…

Case Studies: Healing from Betrayal

–A Journey of Transformation

By Elyce Kiperman-Gordon, MS, She noted how the relationship with her mother included Results. Therapy and feeling supported can be
LCMHC, NCC, owner of The Feeling constant criticism, belittling, manipulation and invalidation instrumental in helping individuals heal from the effects
Expert , an evidence based and of her emotions. Growing up in this type of environment of narcissistic parenting, develop self-awareness, establish
®
holistic psychotherapy practice, can create a pervasive sense of fear, shame and low self- boundaries and cultivate healthy relationship patterns.
located in Boca Raton. She is a worth, which can lay the foundation for future difficulties in Throughout her therapeutic journey, Nancy experienced
Board Certified, licensed Clinical relationships. remarkable growth and transformation. The integration
Mental Health Counselor, offering By exploring her past, it allowed her to better understand of psychodynamic therapy, polyvagal theory and somatic
a range of therapeutic approaches how her current behaviors and patterns were a result of her experiencing techniques provided a comprehensive approach
to treat anxiety, depression, trauma, traumatic childhood and uncertain upbringing. This helped to address her emotional challenges and trust issues.
and relationship issues. Elyce is an Internal Family Systems her see how the narcissistic behavior of her mother was It was natural for Nancy to be unsure about rebuilding
Specialist (IFS) and a Certified International Integral Sound impacting her adult relationships. trust in her marriage again. Nancy experienced significant
Healing Therapist. She can be reached at (844) CAN-HEAL In conjunction with psychodynamic therapy, I introduced improvements in emotional regulation, resulting in reduced
or Elyce@TheFeelingExpert.com. Nancy to polyvagal theory, which proved instrumental instances of frustration, outbursts and anxiety. When she
in developing her self-awareness and understanding her was able to communicate from a more authentic place,
Disclaimer: Names and identifying characteristics have physiological responses to stress and trauma. She learned she was able to create a solid foundation of honesty and
been changed to protect the privacy of individuals. practical coping mechanisms, including deep breathing integrity. She noticed her fear had subsided and she felt
The Patient. Nancy, a 42-year-old woman, endured a exercises, psychoeducation and mindfulness strategies. more engaged with husband and not judge. Her persistent
painful history of betrayal and infidelity in her marriage. These tools became invaluable resources for self-regulation, thoughts of betrayal and worry gradually diminished,
Seeking a way to heal from the aftermath and work on their empowering her to manage her anxiety and emotional allowing her to rebuild trust in herself and her relationship
marriage, she explored therapy. Her focus was on healing reactivity more effectively. She was able to learn how to with her husband. Her husband, who was also invested in
from the pain, developing her confidence and learning to trust communicate more effectively and from a place where she working through the infidelity, began therapy to work on
others again. She shared that she struggled with self-worth, felt more in control. Nancy was able to rebuild a sense of his insecurities and use the time to get to know his wife at
fear of rejection and bouts of anxiety. She was also plagued safety, self-trust and self-acceptance. This transformative a deeper level.
by persistent thoughts of betrayal and constantly relied on process facilitated the development of a more positive and Together they are reconnecting, practicing more active
others for reassurance. Furthermore, Nancy’s emotional resilient self-image, contributing to increased self-esteem. listening with one another, and being more open about
state remained on edge, impacting her ability to regulate her Nancy’s trust issues, common among individuals with their needs. Nancy’s experience highlights the importance
emotions. This made it difficult for her to deal with stressful PTSD, were addressed in a safe and non-judgmental space of addressing past traumas, understanding their impact
situations and communicate effectively. Whenever there was using somatic techniques. This helped her gradually develop on present behavior, and utilizing therapeutic modalities
conflict or discomfort, she found her heart racing and feeling a trusting relationship with her own body, fostering healing that promote self-awareness, emotional regulation and the
muscle tension in her jaw and shoulders. and growth. restoration of trust.
Diagnosis. Infidelity within a relationship can shatter
the fundamental trust and security that individuals rely on
for their emotional well-being, which can be particularly
challenging for those who have already experienced trauma.
Drawing upon insights from the DSM-5, Nancy’s symptoms
were indicative of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
To address her complex needs, I devised a comprehensive
treatment plan that incorporated psychodynamic therapy,
polyvagal theory and somatic techniques.
For individuals with PTSD, the betrayal of infidelity can
trigger a range of symptoms and exacerbate pre-existing
trauma-related issues, undermining their ability to form
healthy, secure and trusting relationships. Infidelity can erode
trust, not only in the partner who committed the betrayal but
also in others. Individuals with PTSD often struggle with
trusting others due to past traumatic experiences. Infidelity
can exacerbate hyperarousal symptoms, leading to increased
hypervigilance and suspicion. The individual may constantly
monitor their partner’s behavior, seek constant reassurance or
search for signs of potential betrayal, which can contribute
to ongoing distress and anxiety.
Treatment. Using psychodynamic therapy, Nancy
was able to dig deeper into the unresolved conflicts in
her relationships. By engaging in techniques such as free
association and interpretation she was able to see how trauma
from her past had impacted her marriage. Through this
process, she was able to go back to her childhood and navigate
her complex relationship with her narcissistic mother. Happy Hour: Mon -Thurs, All dAy AT bAr only
We were able to have meaningful dialogue, utilizing active
listening and reflection to help Nancy uncover the dynamics Mon - Fri 3 - 6 pM
that influenced her trust issues and communication patterns.
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