CC23 Workshop 08 - PACT: Repairing Partner Betrayal - Stan Tatkin, PsyD, MFT

This two-hour workshop will demonstrate how to organize and approach partner betrayal. In this case, the secret-keeper has kept vital information from the discovery-partner – such as a love affair, sexual acting out, financial decisions, a secret life, and other instances where the secret-keeper withheld, lied, and used gaslighting to cover their tracks. The reveal or discovery of important information that, if previously known, would have changed everything, is arguably the most devastating form of betrayal in romantic relationships. The discovery partner almost always exhibits PTSD symptoms of mood instability, sleep problems, flash backs, intrusive and obsessive thoughts, paranoia, and abandonment depression. A specific therapeutic architecture and therapist stance is vital to a successful therapeutic outcome of secure functioning.

Attendees will learn how to approach this unidirectional betrayal structure through and video example.

Learning Objectives:

1. List at least five characteristics of a secure-functioning relationship.
2. Describe the structural architecture of this type of betrayal.
3. Clarify the roles of each partner (secret-keeper/discovery-partner).
4. Discuss with partners the process of recovery and what will be expected.
5. List at least three possible outcomes of betrayal cases.