Am I Ready for Full Disclosure? The Real Signs to Look For
Am I Ready for Full Disclosure? The Real Signs to Look For
As you begin your healing journey of recovery from Betrayal Trauma, one of the hardest parts is having been deceived. A flurry of questions run continuously through your mind:
How did he hide this from me for so long?
How did I not see this?
Was any part of our relationship real?
How can I ever trust him again?
What is the truth?
The anger and pain are overwhelming, and the need for the truth feels burning. Once your CSAT therapist introduces the idea of a full disclosure, you can’t wait to receive it. But how do you know you are ready to receive it? Perhaps a part of you feels like you can’t receive it fast enough, but quieter parts, who get shut down, have other opinions. Here are some of the things they want for you.
They want you to:
Have a support team that you can connect with
·Want to make sure you’re ok before getting hit with more truth.
Demonstrate practical evidence that you’re in a stable place; that you’re eating and sleeping ok, that you’re taking time to care for your emotions, that you’re reaching out for support and healing.
They want you to have an attuned CSAT therapist who will help validate your experience and help you heal.
They also want to see that your husband is in the right mindset to give the full disclosure.
They want him to:
Display humility and empathy in the face of your pain, that he can hear your pain while regulating his own emotions (guilt, shame, anger).
Not react defensively in the face of your emotions but meets them with empathy and caring.
Demonstrate that his actions line up with his words
Be actively engaging in recovery work, attending meetings, CSAT therapy, groups, journaling, calling for support, really working a program of recovery.
Be sure to tune in to these quieter voices, they have your best interest at heart. Sometimes slowing down is the harder yet better choice. I am here to offer supportive attunement and healing on your recovery journey.
About The Author
Shoshana is a licensed clinician in the state of Pennsylvania (PC019616). Shoshana works primarily with individual adults as well as couples. Her experience includes trauma, sex addiction, betrayal trauma, as well as a variety of mental health concerns. Shoshana enjoys exploring new adventures in nature and spending time with family and friends.
