The trust in my relationship has been broken, and I too feel broken now that I know what has happened. I still love my person and need to learn to build trust again. What are some ways to rebuild trust after it’s been badly broken in a relationship?
Rebuilding trust after it has been broken in a relationship can be a challenging but can also be a rewarding journey. Trust is the cornerstone of any healthy relationship, and when it’s compromised, it takes time, effort, and commitment from both partners to repair.
Effective communication is essential in rebuilding trust.
Both partners must be willing to openly discuss their feelings, concerns, and expectations. This includes acknowledging the hurt and betrayal that occurred and expressing genuine remorse and empathy.
Creating a safe space for open dialogue allows for greater understanding and validation of each other’s experiences, paving the way for trust to be restored.
The next step of rebuilding trust requires transparency and accountability from the partner who betrayed it. This means that they must be willing to be transparent about their actions, whereabouts, and intentions.
It also involves taking responsibility for their behaviour and actively working to make amends. This may include setting boundaries, establishing clear expectations, and implementing strategies to prevent similar breaches of trust in the future.
Everything I mention in this article needs to occur consistently. Both partners need to demonstrate consistent, reliable behaviour over time to rebuild trust.
This involves following through on commitments, being dependable, and staying true to one’s word. Daily consistency builds a sense of security and predictability in the relationship, helping to repair the damage caused by the breach of trust.
Rebuilding trust does not occur overnight. It is a gradual process that takes time and patience. It’s important for both partners to be patient with each other.
It’s normal for the betrayed partner to experience feelings of hurt, anger, and insecurity, and it’s essential for the other partner to offer reassurance, validation, and support as they work through these emotions together.
Forgiveness, which is often a tricky word around betrayal, involves letting go of resentment, anger, and the desire for revenge, and instead choosing to release the emotional baggage associated with the betrayal.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting or excusing the betrayal, rather, it’s about freeing oneself from the burden of carrying around negative emotions and moving forward with a sense of closure and acceptance.
Sometimes, rebuilding trust may require the assistance of a therapist.
A therapist can provide guidance, support, and tools to help couples navigate the complexities of trust repair and develop healthy communication and coping skills. Therapy offers a safe and neutral space for couples to explore their feelings, rebuild their connection, and work towards healing together.
Rebuilding trust after it’s been broken in a relationship requires patience, commitment, and effort from both partners.
Because after all, prioritising open communication, transparency, consistency, forgiveness, and seeking professional help when needed, couples can often overcome the challenges of trust repair and emerge with a stronger, more resilient relationship, if they both choose to.
Your Bestie,
Amanda x
Amanda Lambros is a sexologist and relationship coach with almost two decades of experience who takes pride in her “no b-s” approach to solving your problems. She is also a certified speaking professional and has written several books on relationships, health and business which have sold more than 150,000 copies.
Do you have a question for Amanda? Email heybestie@wanews.com.au (don’t worry, we won’t publish your name!)