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Therapeutic disclosure for Betrayal Trauma, Infidelity, and Problematic Sexual Behaviors, Section 3 of 4

CE Hours 3

About this course

Purchase this class to access a recorded live training session from the Therapeutic disclosure for Betrayal Trauma, Infidelity, and Problematic Sexual Behaviors model. This video provides practical strategies to support mental health professionals in guiding clients through the complexities of therapeutic disclosure of betrayal and patterns of problematic sexual behaviors. Your purchase includes free downloadable handouts without watermarks, designed for practical use with clients. These resources are readily available alongside the video to support your therapeutic work. This section focuses on the therapeutic disclosure process, a key step in rebuilding trust for relationships impacted by Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB) and Infidelity. You’ll expand on the foundational ‘What and How’ letter, which details what occurred and patterns of deception connected to the betrayal, along with essential preparatory work—such as timelines for sexual history, trauma, and significant life events. Additional topics include a discussion about the use of polygraphs, with an overview of their potential benefits and limitations, and guidance on preparing clients for this step if utilized. We’ll cover best practices for presenting and processing disclosure letters with care. This section underscores the importance of clear, clinical communication in fostering healing. If you have any questions, please reach out for support.

Learning Objectives

  • Support betrayed clients in creating targeted, meaningful questions to be addressed in the Why Letter.
  • Explain clinical indicators for when a Therapeutic Disclosure may be contraindicated, and describe alternative interventions.
  • Evaluate the pros and cons of using a fidelity polygraph within the Therapeutic Disclosure process, including ethical and relational considerations.

Course Instructor(s)

  • Laney Knowlton, PhD, LMFT-S, CST, CSAT-S, CCPS, CPTT-S, CCRDS-S, CCBRT, RAE)

    Laney Knowlton, PhD, LMFT-S, CST, CSAT-S, CCPS, CPTT-S, CCRDS-S, CCBRT, RAE, has worked in the mental health field since 2009, specializing in PSB and Betrayal Trauma. She has a Ph.D. in Clinical Sexology. Her therapeutic work includes individual, couple, and group counseling, along with intensive work and therapeutic workshops, with individuals and couples struggling with PSB and/or betrayal trauma. She has presented at multiple professional conferences ranging from local to international levels, including ACA, AAMFT, SASH, IITAP, and TAMFT, and regularly guest lectures at various universities.

    She created the Connected Recovery™ model of therapy, which walks individuals and relationships through recovering from betrayal trauma, connecting the fields of Problematic Sexual Behaviors (PSB) up to and including Sex/Love Addiction, Betrayal Trauma, relational counseling through an Emotionally-Focused Therapy lens, and Sex Therapy. She has published four books on her model, including a full-length book that walks through discovering truth and creating emotional safety for yourself and within your relationships, and three books centered on disclosing PSB within relationships. She volunteered with law enforcement for six years, initially with the Dallas Prostitute Diversion Initiative, then as a presenter at the Dallas John School. She currently owns and runs the Connected Recovery™ certification program, co-owns NorthStar Relational Consulting, and owns a private practice (Knowlton Counseling) in Highland Village, TX.

Disclosure

DISCLOSURE OF RELEVANT FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity ― including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests). The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity’s planners, faculty, and the reviewer: PLANNERS AND REVIEWER The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships. FACULTY The faculty of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

References

  • Bedbible Research Center. (2024, May 15). How common is BDSM [Facts & Statistics]. Bedbible. https://bedbible.com/bdsm-statistics-facts-stats
  • Caudill, J., & Drake, D. (2020). Full disclosure: Seeking truth after sexual betrayal. Volume 1: How disclosure can help you heal. Kintsugi Recovery Partners.
  • Hollenbeck, C., & Steffens, B. (2024). Betrayal trauma anger: Clinical implications for therapeutic treatment based on the sexually betrayed partner’s experience related to anger after intimate betrayal. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 50(4), 456-467. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2024.2306940
  • Jules, B. N., O’Connor, V. L., & Langhinrichsen-Rohling, J. (2023). Judgments of event centrality as predictors of post-traumatic growth and post-traumatic stress after infidelity: The moderating effect of relationship form. Trauma Care, 3(4), 237–250. https://doi.org/10.3390/traumacare3040021
  • Minwalla, O. (2021, Feb.; rev. Nov. 2021). The Secret Sexual Basement: The traumatic impacts of deceptive sexuality on the intimate partner and relationship (White paper). The Institute for Sexual Health.
  • Barraca, J., & Polanski, T. X. (2021). Infidelity treatment from an integrative behavioral couple therapy perspective: Explanatory model and intervention strategies. Journal of marital and family therapy, 47(4), 909-924.
  • Seyed Aghamiri, F., Luetz, J. M., & Hills, K. (2024). The lived experiences and well-being of female partners following discovery or disclosure of their male partner’s compulsive sexual behaviours: An Australian phenomenological study. Sexuality Research and Social Policy. Advance online publication. (the section on polygraphs is under Theme 3: The Experience of Discovery)
  • Corley, M. D., Schneider, J. P., & Hook, J. N. (2012). Partner reactions to disclosure of relapse by self-identified sexual addicts. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, 19(4), 265–283. (Older, but often cited in discussions of polygraph use around disclosure in sex-addiction/infidelity treatment.)
  • Corley, M. D., & Hook, J. (2012). Women, female sex and love addicts, and use of the Internet. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, 19(1-2), 53–76. https://doi.org/10.1080/10720162.2012.660430

CE Process Info

Content

  • Section 3
    1 parts
    • The Connected Recovery™ Disclosure Model, Section 3 of 4
  • Downloads
    2 parts
    • Types of Deception
    • Plan for the Day of Disclosure

  • New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work (NYSEDSW)

    CE Learning Systems SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0060.

  • New York Education Department for Licensed Mental Health Counselors (NYSEDLMHC)

    CE Learning Systems, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0072.

  • New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology (NYSEDPSY)

    CE Learning Systems dba CE-Credit.com & AddictionCounselorCE.com is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0016.

  • New York State Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy (NYSEDMFT)

    CE Learning Systems dba CE-Credit.com & AddictionCounselorCE.com is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0045.

  • Joint Accreditation (JA)

    In support of improving patient care, CE Learning Systems is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

  • American Psychological Association (APA)

    Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.

Therapeutic disclosure for Betrayal Trauma, Infidelity, and Problematic Sexual Behaviors, Section 3 of 4
You Have Completed This course
$125
You are enrolled
  • CE Hours
    3
  • Type
    Self-Paced
  • Publication Date
    Aug 25th, 2025

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