Counselling after infidelity

If you have been betrayed, counselling can help you process the shock, the grief, the anger, and the devastation that infidelity brings. It can help you understand the obsessive and intrusive thoughts, the hypervigilance, the loss of trust in your own judgment — all of which are normal responses to an abnormal situation. You do not need to have decided anything about the future of the relationship in order to begin.

If you are the person who had the affair, counselling offers a space to explore what happened and why — without excusing it, but without the level of shame that prevents honest understanding. Many people who have affairs are confused by their own behaviour, and understanding the reasons behind it is an important part of deciding what happens next. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign that you are taking the situation seriously.

If you are attending as a couple, counselling helps you navigate the rebuilding process together — addressing the breach of trust, understanding what was happening in the relationship before the affair, improving communication, and deciding whether the relationship can be repaired. This kind of work requires honesty from both partners, and your therapist will support you in having the conversations that feel most difficult.

We also support people who are dealing with the discovery of a partner’s infidelity from the past — sometimes years or decades later — and people processing the impact of infidelity in a previous relationship that is affecting their current one. The emotional aftermath of infidelity does not follow a schedule, and it is never too late to seek support for something that is still affecting you.

A careful match, not a long list

Therapist availability changes from week to week, so rather than asking you to choose from a directory, we take time during your free 15-minute consultation to understand what you are looking for — and then match you with a therapist suited to your needs.

During the consultation, we will ask about:

• What you would like the work to focus on, and any specific concerns you would like support with
• Whether you would prefer face-to-face counselling, online sessions, or a combination of the two
• Any preferences around therapy approach (counselling, CBT, EMDR, hypnotherapy, mindfulness, ACT, compassion focused therapy and others)
• Day and time availability that works around your life
• Any specialisms that matter to you — for example LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy, neurodiversity-affirming support, or particular life experiences
• Practical preferences — for example therapist gender, age range, or shared lived experience where that matters to you

All therapists we work with are qualified and registered with appropriate UK professional bodies, and we will confirm the most suitable options with you before any sessions begin.

Professional standards across our team

Hope Therapy & Counselling Services has been operating since 2014, and we hold Organisational Membership with the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). We work in line with the NCPS Code of Ethics and BACP Good Practice, and our wider clinical standards include:

• Qualified, professionally registered therapists across the team — registrations vary per therapist and are confirmed before matching
• Ongoing clinical supervision in line with professional body requirements
• Continuing professional development to maintain and develop practice
• Clear confidentiality standards, with limits explained before sessions begin
• Client-centred, non-judgemental and inclusive practice across all areas of identity and experience
• Founder-led clinical oversight from Ian Stockbridge — MBACP (Senior Accredited) – who continues to lead the practice and oversee its standards

Whether you choose face-to-face counselling near you or online therapy from anywhere in the UK, you can expect to be matched with a therapist who is appropriately qualified and suited to the support you are looking for.