Infidelity recovery / INF-A11-1
Trigger and Grounding Plan — Concept brief
Understand the idea behind trigger and grounding plan and consider whether it fits your context.
8 minutes · Handout · Adults; supported use as appropriate
Fictional example: Lee finds a familiar location unexpectedly upsetting.
Use an ordinary or fictional example, with a clinician when appropriate. Reminders of betrayal can be met with individualized support and choice.
The idea
Reminders of betrayal can be met with individualized support and choice.
An ordinary example
Lee finds a familiar location unexpectedly upsetting.
What this can look like
Map an ordinary reminder, current reactions, an external grounding option, and a support request without exposure practice.
Check the fit
What would help in the moment without requiring a discussion immediately? You may disagree with the framing, use fiction, or decide that this approach is not useful today.
A useful distinction
Understanding relationship context does not transfer responsibility for deception to the hurt partner or require a particular relationship outcome.
Prompts for this resource
- What part of this idea makes sense to me?
- What would help in the moment without requiring a discussion immediately?
Conceptual background
Integrative Model of Affair Recovery — American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Background on the approach only. Original exercises and wording are by More Than Therapy with AI assistance; the source does not validate or endorse these materials.