Infidelity recovery / INF-A12-1
Pausing a Difficult Conversation — Concept brief
Understand the idea behind pausing a difficult conversation and consider whether it fits your context.
8 minutes · Handout · Adults; supported use as appropriate
Fictional example: Lee and Quinn notice the discussion becoming too fast and repetitive.
Use an ordinary or fictional example, with a clinician when appropriate. A pause can preserve safety when it includes a realistic return or support plan.
The idea
A pause can preserve safety when it includes a realistic return or support plan.
An ordinary example
Lee and Quinn notice the discussion becoming too fast and repetitive.
What this can look like
Create a pause phrase, separate regulation options, and a mutually feasible time to revisit the topic if appropriate.
Check the fit
How can a pause avoid becoming abandonment or forced pursuit? 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?
- How can a pause avoid becoming abandonment or forced pursuit?
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.