Couples like these, who are struggling in their relationship, often feel a sense of betrayal. However, because an “affair” has not occurred, they are not sure what to call it nor how address their feelings. They muddle along. They deny betrayal has even occurred. While intimate physical contact is easily recognized as infidelity or cheating, sexless betrayals are more difficult to identify. As a result, these betrayals may fester under the surface, until significant damage is done to the relationship. According to marriage research expert Dr. John Gottman, betrayals can be either the “deception of not revealing your true needs in order to avoid conflict or a yearning for emotional connection from outside the relationship.”
