Understanding Betrayal Trauma

Betrayal trauma is the emotional and psychological impact of a breach of trust by someone close to you. Working with a therapist can offer space to process what happened and begin rebuilding a sense of safety.

Betrayal trauma often surfaces after a significant rupture in a trusted relationship, such as infidelity, family deception, or the discovery of long-held secrets. It can leave people feeling disoriented, questioning their own perceptions, and carrying symptoms that resemble those of other trauma responses, including intrusive thoughts, sleep difficulties, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness.

Therapy for betrayal trauma often focuses on making sense of what happened, tending to the nervous system, and slowly rebuilding trust — in yourself, in others, or within the relationship where the wound occurred. While our network of therapists working explicitly with betrayal trauma is still growing, many therapists on First Session support related areas such as relationship and attachment work, complex trauma, and infidelity recovery.

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Hayley Sarjeant

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
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Offers In-Person (Aurora, ON)
Virtual Sessions in AB, BC, MB, NL, YT, NU, NT, and SK.
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Hayley Sarjeant

Hayley Sarjeant

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her
Offers Free Consultation
$150/session
Attachment trauma, Infidelity, Anxiety, Attachment, Attachment wounds, Break-up recovery, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Emotional regulation, Grief Processing, Trauma processing, Trauma, Separation and divorce, Relationships, Relationship to self and others, Betrayal Trauma
Attachment trauma, Infidelity, Anxiety, Attachment, Attachment wounds, Break-up recovery, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Emotional regulation, Grief Processing, Trauma processing, Trauma, Separation and divorce, Relationships, Relationship to self and others, Betrayal Trauma
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Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan
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About First Session
What is betrayal trauma?

Betrayal trauma refers to the emotional wounding that can follow a breach of trust by someone you relied on, often a partner, parent, or close friend. It's commonly associated with infidelity, deception, or ongoing relational harm, and can produce trauma-like responses such as anxiety, intrusive memories, and difficulty feeling safe in close relationships.

What are the potential benefits of therapy for betrayal trauma?

Therapy may help you process the emotional impact of the betrayal, make sense of conflicting feelings, and begin to steady your nervous system. Over time, many people find it supports clearer decision-making about the relationship, a kinder relationship with themselves, and renewed capacity for trust and connection.

Who might seek support for betrayal trauma?

People navigating infidelity, family secrets, financial deception, or other significant breaches of trust often seek support. It can also be relevant for those raised in environments where caregivers were unreliable or harmful, where the effects may show up later in adult relationships.

How do I find a therapist who works with betrayal trauma?

Our network of therapists focused specifically on betrayal trauma is growing. In the meantime, you can browse therapists who work with related concerns such as infidelity, attachment wounds, complex trauma, or couples work. Watching intro videos can help you sense whether a therapist feels like a fit before booking a free consultation.

Are there related approaches I could explore?

Yes. Many people find support through therapists who work with complex trauma, attachment-focused therapy, somatic approaches, or couples therapy when the betrayal happened within a partnership. Broadening your search to include these related areas can open up more options while our betrayal trauma network grows.

How can First Session help me find support?

First Session is a Canadian platform where you can browse therapist intro videos, filter by focus areas and therapy approaches, and book directly online. Credentials are verified during onboarding, and you can explore both online and in-person options to find someone who feels right for this work. Learn more about how we vet therapists.