Reclaiming Resilience and Rewiring Trust After Betrayal with Sara Stalker

Learn About Michelle May's Braving Model with Michelle Mays

The Second Edition of The Betrayal Bind came out March 3 and expands the attachment based Braving Model even further. One of the core things explored are the six attachment-based coping strategies that emerge after betrayal. Understanding that these behaviors are driving by attachment needs is vital for both betrayed partners, their significant others and the helping professionals who support them. Michelle Mays is a Licensed Professional Counselor and expert in treating sexual betrayal and trauma. She is the founder of the Relational Recovery Institute and the creator of the Braving Hope® Coaching program for individuals recovering from betrayal trauma. Michelle has created a new attachment-based approach called The Braving Model™ to address the devastating dilemma that betrayed partners face when their significant other is unsafe to connect to, yet connection is the key to healing. Michelle is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor in both Virginia and Washington DC, and a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist and Supervisor. She was trained by Pia Mellody in the Post Induction Therapy model for treating developmental trauma and is a Certified Professional Coach. Contact Info www.michellemays.com [www.michellemays.com] www.relationalrecovery.com [www.relationalrecovery.com] https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMichelleMays/ [https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMichelleMays/] https://www.instagram.com/michellemays_/ [https://www.instagram.com/michellemays_/] https://www.youtube.com/c/MichelleMaysChannel [https://www.youtube.com/c/MichelleMaysChannel]

Beyond Sobriety-The Neuroscience of Addiction with Chris Chandler

Many betrayed partners are told that recovery requires sobriety, accountability, disclosure, and empathy, but they are not always given a clear understanding of what is happening in the addicted brain or why meaningful change takes time. In this conversation, Chris Chandler brings a neuroscience-based lens to compulsive sexual behavior, drawing from his clinical work with thousands of men, his collaboration with Dr. Patrick Carnes on Fulbright-supported sexual addiction research, and his role with the American Foundation for Addiction Research. Chris will explain how attachment wounds, trauma, shame, and nervous system dysregulation can shape maladaptive coping strategies long before adulthood. Using a simple model of the brainstem, limbic system, and prefrontal cortex, he will help partners understand why early recovery often requires intense stabilization, structure, repetition, and community before deeper emotional and relational healing becomes possible. This discussion will also explore Carnes’ view of recovery as a long-term process: the first one to two years often focus on sobriety, honesty, accountability, and behavioral stabilization, which can then open the door to deeper attachment work, grief, empathy, intimacy, and relational repair. The goal is not behavior management alone, but restored connection. Contact Info: Website: www.breathtobones.com [www.breathtobones.com] Schedule a Consultation with Chris: https://breath-to bones.cal.com/chris/consultation [https://breath-to bones.cal.com/chris/consultation]

What Is Problematic Sexual Behavior Framework with Bill Herring

Bill Herring is a clinical social worker as well as a certified sex addiction therapist (CSAT) in Atlanta Georgia where he has maintained a private psychotherapy practice for he past 35 years. Bill Herring is the creator of the Problematic Sexual Behavior Framework (known as the PSB Framework for short). This is a way to assess any form of sexual behavior for the presence of problematic aspects without even needing to focus on the type or frequency of that behavior. The PSB Framework uses just five simple questions to assess a person’s pattern of sexual behavior for commitment violations, values conflicts, diminished self-control, lack of responsibility to others and negative consequences. This approach helps to reduce resistance for people who know or suspect that they have a sexual problem but who are not ready to accept a label as a sex addict – and may not even need to, as Bill will discuss today. Contact Into: Bill Herring LCSW 2127 Vista Dale Court Tucker GA 30084 (678) 773-3083 Billherring.com [Billherring.com]

Infidelity Recovery Workbook to Rebuild the Coupleship with Dr. Monique Thompson

Dr. Monique Thompson, DHA, LPC, LPC-S, is an EMDR-trained therapist and trauma-informed life coach specializing in betrayal trauma, PTSD, and post-infidelity repair. With over 24 years in private practice, she integrates parts-based approaches, nervous system regulation, and trauma reprocessing to help betrayed partners restore a sense of safety and support partners who have betrayed in developing accountability without collapse, defensiveness, or shame-based shutdown. She is the author of a best-selling infidelity recovery workbook for couples. Her work is culturally responsive and, when invited by clients, thoughtfully integrates faith-based perspectives within evidence-informed care. Contact Info: https://doctormoniquethompson.com/ [https://doctormoniquethompson.com/]

Understanding Betrayed Male Partners Who Are Fathers Too with Aaron Brewer

This conversation explores the often-overlooked experience of betrayed males, especially fathers, and how men uniquely process intimate relationship betrayal. While infidelity is commonly studied and treated through a female-centered lens, emerging insights suggest that men may experience betrayal as a distinct form of trauma—impacting identity, trust, emotional regulation, and meaning-making. From a clinical perspective, the conversation highlights common therapeutic missteps, the importance of addressing bias, and practical treatment considerations for working effectively with betrayed men. We discuss how betrayal trauma can produce PTSD-like symptoms, including intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, and intense emotional reactions such as anger, grief, and disgust. The episode also examines how socialization, masculinity, and cultural expectations shape men’s responses. Ultimately, this episode offers a more balanced and compassionate framework for understanding betrayal—equipping clinicians, couples, and families to better support men navigating one of the most painful relational experiences. Aaron Brewer, MA, LPCC-S, NCC, CSAT, CPTT, CMAT, CCTP-II, DARTT, has worked in mental healthcare for almost 10 years. He is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of the Cumberlands. He teaches graduate counseling courses at Grace College and works as a clinical counselor and supervisor in private practice in Ohio. Aaron specializes in compulsive sexual behaviors, intimate relationship betrayal, and developmental trauma, and is an EMDRIA Certified Therapist and Consultant-in-Training. He is committed to developing compassionate, ethically grounded counselors. Contact Info: Email: aaron.brewer@intact.hush.com Website: intactcounseling.com [intactcounseling.com ] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-brewer [www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-brewer]