Pathway to Recovery

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this episode, hosts Tara McCausland and Justin B discuss the challenges and importance of Step 3 in the recovery process: making the decision to turn our will and lives over to the care of God. They delve into why this can be difficult, and how it is a daily commitment rather than a one-time action. The dialogue includes personal experiences and ins...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this episode, host Tara McCausland welcomes  guest expert KayLee Dunn, a  psychotherapist and betrayal navigation coach. KayLee shares her expertise in helping individuals, especially women, rebuild trust and heal after intimate betrayal. She discusses the role of the nervous system in betrayal trauma, introducing concepts like neuro-intuitive bound...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this episode, host Tara McCausland and S.A. Lifeline executive assistant Jeni Brockbank discuss how to manage trauma triggers effectively. Jeni shares insights on understanding trauma triggers and emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, self-care, and setting boundaries. The episode includes a discussion on practical steps to take when faced w...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this episode, host Justin B. and guest Harvey E. discuss the transformative power of Step Two in SAL 12-Step and in general 12 Step programs. Harvey, a 69-year-old Orthodox Jewish dentist and a recovering sexaholic, shares his journey of over 35 years struggling with same-sex attraction while being married, and shares his experience, strength, and h...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this episode, Justin and Tara discuss the importance of overcoming fear as a major obstacle in successful recovery from addiction and betrayal trauma.  The discussion delves into personal experiences with fear and the significance of surrendering to a higher power to gain serenity. They emphasize the need for replacing self-reliance with  God relian...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this episode of the Pathway to Recovery podcast, host Tara McCausland talks with therapist Amanda Christensen about first steps to take immediately following discovery of sexual betrayal. Amanda shares her personal and professional experience, emphasizing the importance of safety, stabilization, and recovery steps for both the betrayed and betraying...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this episode of the Pathway to Recovery podcast, Tara shares a recent presentation given by Dr. Donald L. Hilton Jr., a neurosurgeon and academic who has studied the effects of pornography on the brain. Hilton discusses how his background informs his understanding of addiction and recovery, offering insights into the nature of addictions (including...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. Hosts Tara McCausland and Justin B. delve into the crucial question of whether the God of one's understanding is strong enough to restore sanity in the context of recovery. They discuss the common doubts and struggles individuals in recovery face regarding their perception of a higher power, including feelings of abandonment and the question of Go...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. The podcast episode features Justin B. and guest Julie M. discussing her personal journey through betrayal and recovery due to her husband's sexual addiction. Julie shares her initial reluctance to seek help for herself, believing she wasn't the one with the problem. However, upon realizing her life was unmanageable, she turned to the SAL 12...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this episode, hosts Tara McCausland and Justin B. explore the concepts of powerlessness and unmanageability in the context of sexual addiction and betrayal trauma. They discuss how admitting to these states can be challenging yet crucial for individuals dealing with addiction and for those who are in a relationship with them.  Justin shares his pers...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this episode, host Tara McCausland welcomes Dan Gray to discuss therapeutic disclosure in the healing process for individuals affected by sexual addiction and betrayal trauma. Dan emphasizes the critical role of disclosure to help break the cycle of secrecy and shame surrounding addiction, highlighting the benefits of therapeutic disclosure for both...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this episode, hosts Tara McCausland and Justin B.  explore a listener's question about the distinction between calling oneself a sexaholic versus a sex addict, and the implications of that decision. The discussion delves into the SAL definition of sobriety, highlighting the importance of personal values in determining what terms and definitions...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this episode of the Pathway to Recovery podcast, host Justin B. speaks with SAL 12-Step member Bryan F.  about  'Step Zero,' a concept not formally recognized in the traditional 12 steps but crucial for initiating the journey towards true recovery.  Bryan emphasizes the importance of community building  as the foundational piece of Step 0...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this episode, hosts Tara McCausland and Justin B. discuss strategies for moving forward after the discovery of betrayal in relationships. The episode emphasizes the emotional turmoil that follows discovery, and the importance of establishing safety and stabilization. They share personal stories, including Justin's own missteps post-discovery an...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this special episode, therapist Dorothy Maryon presents on communication after betrayal for the SAL 12-Step Men's Online Workshop.  Dorothy delves into the drama triangle—a concept explaining common unhealthy communication patterns that hinder relationship repair. She discusses strategies for breaking free from these patterns by understanding a...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this Q&A, hosts Tara and Justin provide some final commentary on the subject of setting boundaries and bottom lines in the recovery process.  They emphasize how boundaries and bottom lines can effectively help break the cycle of addiction and  suggest that the creation of these action plans should take place during moments of relative peace prio...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this episode, host Justin B.  speaks with SAL 12-Step members Karin and Jan to discuss the importance of setting healthy boundaries in recovery from betrayal trauma. Both Karin and Jan share their own experiences navigating relationships affected by betrayal. They describe setting boundaries as a way of protecting themselves and their own peace. The...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this Q&A episode, host Tara McCausland interviews Steven and Rhyll Croshaw,  co-founders of S.A.  Lifeline Foundation, who share their experiences and insights on setting boundaries and bottom lines in relationships and personal recovery. They discuss the differences between boundaries and bottom lines. Steven explains how he sets his 'bott...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this episode, Tara McCausland talks with Dr. Sheri Keffer about the importance of setting and holding boundaries in relationships, particularly when dealing with sexual betrayal and addiction. Dr. Keffer shares her personal journey of recovery and emphasizes the need for betrayed partners to have courage and patience with themselves as they practice...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this Q&A, hosts Tara and Justin briefly review the origins  of the 12 steps and touch on each one in preparation to take a deep dive into each of the steps in future episodes. They talk about the foundation, cornerstone, and keystone of the 12 steps, as well as the importance of first admitting powerlessness, turning to the God of your understan...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this episode Justin B talks with Josh Walpole, a sex addict living in long-term recovery as well as a therapist who specializes in treating sexual addiction and betrayal trauma.  We discuss the importance and perhaps necessity of qualified therapy to help all involved prepare and brace for impact.  Both the impact of the consequences of the addictio...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. Hosts Tara and Justin explore how their New Year's resolutions have evolved in the context of recovery learning and application. They discuss the significance of incorporating a higher power into their goal-setting process. The conversation delves into the concept of surrendering personal will and allowing divine guidance to shape goals and action...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. Host Tara McCausland and therapist Dan Drake  discuss the importance of finding a qualified clinician that has specialized training in sexual addiction and betrayal trauma. They suggest questions/ways to vet a therapist to ensure best therapist-client fit. They explore  how having a therapist during the disclosure process is helpful, and paint a pictur...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this episode, host Tara McCausland is joined by her assistant and friend, Jeni Brockbank. They discuss the concept of "surrender" as part of recovery, especially during challenging times such as the holidays.  A three-step surrender process "on your knees, on the phone, in a box" is also shared which includes prayer, reaching out...

Questions or feedback? Leave your email here. In this episode, Tara McCausland interviews Kahi Winget, the SAL Women's 12 Step executive director. Throughout the interview, they discuss the structure and benefits of SAL 12-Step meetings for individuals suffering from betrayal trauma, the hurdles to joining the meetings, as well as the journey of recovery. Both encourage newcomers to attend me...