The Betrayal Trauma Recovery Bookshelf

Healing from betrayal is often described as a journey, but it is rarely a straight line. It is a process of navigating "ambiguous loss", the gut-wrenching experience of grieving someone who is still physically present but emotionally transformed. In this conclusion to our conversation, Dr. Adam Moore returns to discuss the pragmatic "Golden Bridge" to honesty and the heavy labo...

We are often raised on a "fairytale" version of marriage, the belief that love will be romantic, beautiful, and solve all of our problems. But for many women, the clock eventually strikes midnight, the carriage turns back into a pumpkin, and life becomes painfully real. When pornography addiction and betrayal enter the story, the dream doesn't just change; it feels like it has shatte...

Healing from betrayal is not a solo journey, nor is it a linear one. In this conclusion to our conversation, Dr. Monique Thompson returns to discuss the "butterfly effect" of recovery and the practicalities of rebuilding a life after the internal explosion of discovery. We dive deep into the specific therapeutic tools that move us from "surviving to tomorrow" to "unleashin...

Discovery isn't just an emotional blow; it is a profound shock to the entire nervous system. When infidelity comes to light, your heart rate spikes, cortisol floods your system, and your brain shifts into a survival state that makes clear thinking nearly impossible. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Monique Thompson, an EMDR-trained therapist and author of the Infidelity Recovery Workbook f...

In Part 1, we established that truth is the foundation of intimacy. But what happens when you get the facts, yet something still feels unsafe? In this second half of my conversation with Dan Drake, we move beyond the "Content Truth" (the facts on the paper) and explore the critical concept of "Behavioral Truth", how your partner shows up in the process. We discuss why a disclos...

Discovery is often one of the most traumatizing experiences a partner can go through. But what follows, the painful "trickle truth" or staggered information, can feel just as damaging, leaving you constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. In this episode, I sit down with Dan Drake, a licensed clinician and co-author of the Full Disclosure series, to discuss why getting the whole story isn't j...

In this episode of the Betrayal Trauma Recovery Bookshelf, I circle back to Broken to Brave by Tammy Gustafson to share my personal takeaways and review. For many women, there comes a confusing moment in recovery: You finally feel a sense of safety and stabilization, and then, suddenly and unexpectedly, you are hit with a wave of intense emotion that feels like you are right back at the beginning....

In this episode, we explore boundaries through a wider, more spacious lens—one that moves beyond rules, ultimatums, or control and into meaning, symbolism, and self-honoring truth. Inspired by The Great All: A Parable of Hope, New Beginnings, and You by Molly Davis Moon, this conversation invites a zoomed-out perspective on boundaries. Rooted in compassion and dignity, we explore what it means to...

In this episode, we explore boundaries through a wider, more spacious lens—one that moves beyond rules, ultimatums, or control and into meaning, symbolism, and self-honoring truth. Inspired by The Great All: A Parable of Hope, New Beginnings, and You by Molly Davis Moon, this conversation invites a zoomed-out perspective on boundaries. Rooted in compassion and dignity, we explore what it means to...

Betrayal doesn’t just shatter trust, it forces women to confront questions they never expected to face about boundaries, relationships, and who they are becoming in the aftermath. In Part 2 of my conversation with author Tammy Gustafson, we move beyond survival and into the tender, complex territory of what comes next . We talk honestly about boundaries that protect rather than punish, the differe...

Betrayal has a way of making women feel broken emotionally, relationally, and inside their own sense of self. In this episode, I’m joined by author Tammy Gustafson for a powerful conversation about what it really means to be broken … and how bravery often emerges in ways we don’t expect after betrayal. Together, we explore how betrayal trauma impacts the nervous system, identity, and sense of safe...

Surrender is one of the most misunderstood concepts in healing , especially after betrayal trauma. For many women, the word itself can feel painful, unsafe, or even triggering. It can sound like giving up, minimizing harm, or accepting what should never have happened. In this episode, we slow surrender way down. This conversation explores what surrender actually means in the context of betrayal tr...

Betrayal doesn’t just break trust — it fractures your connection to yourself, to others, and often to God. In Part 2 of this conversation, I’m again joined by Jeni Brockbank, author of Healing in Christ’s Light, to explore what it looks like to move beyond survival and into deeper healing after betrayal — without bypassing pain or rushing the process. This episode centers on soul-care, compassion,...

Betrayal doesn’t just break trust, it breaks the world you thought you were living in. In this powerful conversation, I’m joined by Jeni Brockbank , author of Healing in Christ’s Light , for a grounded and faith-centered discussion on the realities of abuse, addiction, abandonment, and adultery, including the deep trauma that follows. Together, we explore: What betrayal trauma actually is and why...

When the person who promised to love you is the one who caused the deepest harm, it creates a specific kind of trauma — one rooted in injustice . Betrayal trauma shatters safety, damages trust, and turns your entire world upside down. And yet… women are so often told to “be more understanding,” “let it go,” or “move on.” In today’s episode, we’re naming what so many experience but rarely say out l...

ANGER! Let's talk abou it. Anger after betrayal can feel huge, sudden, or out of character — but it’s not a sign that something is wrong with you. It’s a natural response to harm, deception, and the collapse of emotional safety. In this episode, we break down why anger shows up so strongly and how to begin processing it in ways that support your healing. We cover: Why anger in betrayal trauma...

Anger after betrayal can feel intense, confusing, and at times overwhelming. Many women question whether their reactions are “too much” — but what if your anger is not only valid, but an essential part of your healing? In this episode, I continue to interview Dr. Crystal Hollenbeck , author of Betrayal Trauma Anger: You’re Not Crazy… You’re Angry and You Should Be! to unpack the truth about anger...

Anger after betrayal can feel intense, confusing, and at times overwhelming. Many women question whether their reactions are “too much” — but what if your anger is not only valid, but an essential part of your healing? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Crystal Hollenbeck , author of Betrayal Trauma Anger: You’re Not Crazy… You’re Angry and You Should Be! to unpack the truth about anger through...

I offer an unscripted dive into a gaslighting experience using Sarah Morales' workbook called "Take Your Power Back." Join me as I use a real life example and explore the mapping system Sarah offers to discern gaslighting behaviors and patterns. Be sure to check out the workbook which explores the complexities of gaslighting and, as the title suggests, empowers you to step back into your truth. Pi...

Join me in part 2 as I continue interviewing gaslighting expert, Sarah Morales. She has written an amazing workbook called "Take Your Power Back" which explores the complexities of gaslighting and, as the title suggests, empowers you to step back into your truth. I split the interview up into two parts because we had so much to discuss. You don't want to miss this! Pick up a copy of...

Join me as I interview gaslighting expert, Sarah Morales. She has written an amazing workbook called "Take Your Power Back" which explores the complexities of gaslighting and, as the title suggests, empowers you to step back into your truth. I split the interview up into two parts because we had so much to discuss. You don't want to miss this! Pick up a copy of the workbook here: htt...

We are looking at volume 2 of "Not a Casserole Widow" by Kim Hansen Petroni. In this episode, we're talking about reality: what is it and how to accept it. We also explore those inner voices, both positive and negative ones. Then we dive into JADE and BIFF. What are those? You'll have to listen or pick up the workbook to find out! Hope you join me for this exploratory episode. Ch...

Come explore Kim Hansen Petroni’s workbook Not a Casserole Widow with me. In this conversation, we unpack what forgiveness can really look like—and it may not be what you expect. We also talk about the breaking of trust in intimate relationships, which is the very foundation of betrayal trauma. Amid the chaos and confusion, there’s also a deeper story of courage and hope—and that’s what we touch o...

Join me this episode as we speak with Kim Hansen Petroni, author of the book, "Not a Casserole Widow." We discuss how the workbook came to be, integral parts of the book, and Kim even shares some of her poetry. You won't want to miss this! Kim Hansen Petroni holds a Masters in Counseling, is a Board Certified Coach, an APSATS Certified Partner Coach and Supervisor, an ERCEM certified...

Continuing our conversation inspired by the book, "What Can I Do About Me? by Ryhll Crowshaw, we discuss self-care. Self-care is just another word for boundaries, but what does it take to really be able to care for ourselves? Join me in this episode where we get to the heart of why we do or do not care for ourselves.