There can be a lot of uncertainty and anxiety over the idea of therapeutic disclosures. This 4-part blog series seeks to address frequently asked questions and hopefully lend clarity to your decision to pursue a Full Therapeutic Disclosure for yourself.
Part 1: Why Participate in a Full Therapeutic Disclosure*?
Therapeutic disclosures take a powerful step toward rebuilding intimacy in a relationship. This might seem counterintuitive, but consider the Pyramid of Intimacy.
Therapeutic disclosures find their basis in truth and that is the first step in reaching intimacy in a broken relationship. For the betrayed partner, FTD brings purpose to the pain. As she navigates through that pain, she can begin to heal. It’s like living in a house full of grenades. A woman can’t move comfortably through that house. She doesn’t know what new discovery lurks around the corner or what deception might hide behind the door. Full Therapeutic Disclosure brings those unknowns into the light, so that she can once again navigate the relationship with confidence because a foundation of truth has been built.
Addicts also benefit from the FTD. Initially, there is a relief from being fully known. There is no more hiding and secrets to keep and this brings freedom. He also moves from denial of the addiction to awareness, including the costs: financial, emotional, relational, physical, mental, and spiritual. The disclosure brings about personal healing in many areas and is also a catalyst for healing of the relationship. Finally, both the addict and the partner can learn new survival skills to walk out their life together. Instead of old ineffective coping mechanisms, they are each given new tools, ones that can bring intimacy and wholeness.
For both the betrayed partner and the sex addict, therapeutic disclosure can bring about a freedom to move past the hurt and into a place where the relationship can grow because it is has a foundation of truth.
*Information contained in this post is for informational purposes only. A full therapeutic disclosure process should be facilitated by a mental health professional trained in its use, and not as a self-help or do-it-yourself tool.