Choose To Be with Choose Recovery Services; Betrayal Trauma Healing

Choose Recovery Services - Alana Gordon and Amie Woolsey
  • 4.8 (94)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Choose to Be is about healing, growth, and choosing recovery after betrayal trauma, sexual addiction, and infidelity. Hosts share insights on emotional healing, authentic relationships, and the journey of rebuilding trust. Learn tools for self-compassion, integrity, and trust-building as you heal from pain and reclaim hope, peace, and connection. Alana Gordon-LMFT, CCPS, CSAT candidate, Betrayal Coach Amie Woolsey-Certified Brainspotting Practioner, Martin Warner AT Somatic Interweaves for DBR, PCP, APSATS-CPC, ELI-MP, COR.E, C-DGS ChooseRecoveryServices.com | info@chooserecoveryservices.com

  1. 6h ago

    The Impact Letter: Grieving, Healing, and Finding Your Voice After Betrayal

    Writing an impact letter can feel overwhelming, emotional, and even re-traumatizing. So why do it? Amie and Alana unpack the purpose behind this powerful recovery tool, explain how it fits into therapeutic disclosure, and discuss why the greatest healing often comes from validating your own experience—not trying to convince your partner to understand. Chapters 02:17 Where It Fits in Disclosure 03:41 Timing and Personalization 07:19 Grief and Ongoing Healing 09:03 Your Story and Shared Grief 16:44 Writing Makes It Real 18:10 Stop Minimizing 20:55 Write For You, Not Them We’d love to hear from you! Fill out this brief survey to let us know your feedback about the podcast! Register Now! ***Use code PODCAST150 to get $150 off any Choose intensive or retreat in 2026!*** Courage to Thrive - Join us for this healing retreat for women who have experienced betrayal trauma. It offers a safe, supportive space to process pain, reconnect with yourself, and begin moving forward with strength and hope. Through guided workshops, therapeutic support, and restorative experiences, women leave feeling seen, empowered, and less alone. August 25-28, 2026 in Spanish Fork, Utah.  Reclaimed: A Men’s Parts-Work Intensive - A transformative 4-day intensive for men in recovery from problematic sexual behaviors, using the Internal Family Systems model to help participants deepen emotional healing, reduce shame, understand their inner world, and live with greater authenticity and wholeness. August 18-21 in Spanish Fork, UT. Housing accommodations available here. 💵We don’t want finances to get in the way of your healing. Scholarships and payment plans (including buy now, pay later options) are available for all of our intensives.  NEW: Tender Resilience - Heal through art with Beth Woessner. No art experience needed. FREE monthly workshop: 1-hour Zoom workshop where Beth provides a safe space for connection, reflection, and simple process art as a tool to calm your body, regulate your nervous system, and awaken your creativity.  6-Week Group: Designed for those moving through the impact of betrayal trauma and wanting a grounded, compassionate space to rebuild trust in themselves. Each week we’ll explore a theme from Rick Hanson’s book Resilience and pair it with simple art exercises. Get our FREE eBook - Is a Full Therapeutic Disclosure Right For Me? Questions or topics you'd like us to address? Send us an email with “Choose To Be” as the subject to podcast@chooserecoveryservices.com.  Watch us⁠ on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram: @choose_recovery_services ⁠Schedule⁠ a complimentary consultation. Join our email list to be notified when new episodes air. More from Choose Recovery Services Beyond the Facade Podcast - Helping men live authentically and aligned with their values. Choose Healing - Weekly support group for women navigating betrayal trauma and its effects. Intensives - Immersive healing experiences designed for deep transformation in a short time. Help. Her. Heal - A program for men to build empathy, improve communication, and repair relationships. Beyond the Facade: Men’s Healing Group - Support for men working through addiction, shame, emotional growth, and relationship healing. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Empowered Divorce Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Amie Woolsey for those who are leaning toward divorce.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dating From Within - Learn to date yourself first and recognize when you’re ready for a healthy relationship. Should I Stay or Go? - A self-paced course guiding you toward clarity and personal empowerment. Trauma Trigger Kit - Grounding tools to help you manage triggers using your five senses. Believing in You - Learn brain-based tools to rebuild trust, empowerment, and joy. Intimacy Within ⁠- A self-paced guide to building authentic, vulnerable intimacy from the inside out. Making Sense of His Behavior - Group designed for those who are trying to make sense of confusing, painful, and hurtful behaviors in their relationship.

  2. Jul 14

    Will I Ever Heal From Betrayal Trauma? (REPLAY)

    It's one of the most common—and heartbreaking—questions after betrayal trauma. This week Amie and Alana discuss what healing actually looks like after betrayal trauma, why recovery often feels painfully slow, and the practices that truly help. They explore support groups, self-compassion, psychoeducation, nervous system healing, somatic work, family-of-origin healing, and the obstacles that can quietly keep us stuck. Most importantly, this episode offers hope. Even if you can't see it today, healing is possible. If you're in the middle of the darkness, keep listening. Chapters 01:14 Will I Ever Heal? 2:00 Personal Story 05:01 Darkness to Sunrise Metaphor 07:47 Early Stage Healing Tools 11:03 Real Self-Care Explained 16:51 Psychoeducation and Roadmap 21:24 What Hinders Healing 25:14 Advanced Somatic Work 32:15 There is Hope Register Now! ***Use code PODCAST150 to get $150 off any Choose intensive or retreat in 2026!*** Courage to Thrive - Join us for this healing retreat for women who have experienced betrayal trauma. It offers a safe, supportive space to process pain, reconnect with yourself, and begin moving forward with strength and hope. Through guided workshops, therapeutic support, and restorative experiences, women leave feeling seen, empowered, and less alone. August 25-28, 2026 in Spanish Fork, Utah.  Reclaimed: A Men’s Parts-Work Intensive - A transformative 4-day intensive for men in recovery from problematic sexual behaviors, using the Internal Family Systems model to help participants deepen emotional healing, reduce shame, understand their inner world, and live with greater authenticity and wholeness. August 18-21 in Spanish Fork, UT. 💵We don’t want finances to get in the way of your healing. Scholarships and payment plans (including buy now, pay later options) are available for all of our intensives.  Get our FREE eBook - Healing From Betrayal Trauma: A Compassionate Guide to Reclaiming Your Life Questions or topics you'd like us to address? Send us an email with “Choose To Be” as the subject to podcast@chooserecoveryservices.com.  Watch us⁠ on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram: @choose_recovery_services ⁠Schedule⁠ a complimentary consultation. Join our email list to be notified when new episodes air. More from Choose Recovery Services Beyond the Facade Podcast - Helping men live authentically and aligned with their values. Choose Healing - Weekly support group for women navigating betrayal trauma and its effects. Intensives - Immersive healing experiences designed for deep transformation in a short time. Help. Her. Heal - A program for men to build empathy, improve communication, and repair relationships. Beyond the Facade: Men’s Healing Group - Support for men working through addiction, shame, emotional growth, and relationship healing. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Empowered Divorce Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Amie Woolsey for those who are leaning toward divorce.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dating From Within - Learn to date yourself first and recognize when you’re ready for a healthy relationship. Should I Stay or Go? - A self-paced course guiding you toward clarity and personal empowerment. Trauma Trigger Kit - Grounding tools to help you manage triggers using your five senses. Believing in You - Learn brain-based tools to rebuild trust, empowerment, and joy. Intimacy Within ⁠- A self-paced guide to building authentic, vulnerable intimacy from the inside out. Making Sense of His Behavior - Group designed for those who are trying to make sense of confusing, painful, and hurtful behaviors in their relationship.

  3. Jul 7

    Why Accountability Feels Threatening After Betrayal

    Why does accountability feel so difficult after betrayal? For many betrayed partners, the answer seems obvious: if someone truly understood the pain they caused, they would simply own it. But healing is often more complicated. This week Alana explores why accountability can feel emotionally threatening for those who have betrayed a partner—not as an excuse, but as a pathway toward understanding the barriers that prevent true repair. You'll learn: The role shame plays in defensiveness How nervous system responses can block empathy Why self-hatred isn’t accountability What betrayed partners should watch for when accountability never comes If you're navigating betrayal trauma, compulsive sexual behavior recovery, or rebuilding trust after infidelity, this episode offers practical insights grounded in trauma-informed care. Chapters 01:40 Why Accountability Feels Threatening 03:22 Identity Death and Safety 11:11 Grieving the False Self 13:20 Mistakes Mean Rejection 18:44 Emotional Capacity for Repair 25:07 When Accountability is Missing 28:25 How Betrayers Build Accountability Register Now! ***Use code PODCAST150 to get $150 off any Choose intensive or retreat in 2026!*** Courage to Thrive - Join us for this healing retreat for women who have experienced betrayal trauma. It offers a safe, supportive space to process pain, reconnect with yourself, and begin moving forward with strength and hope. Through guided workshops, therapeutic support, and restorative experiences, women leave feeling seen, empowered, and less alone. August 25-28, 2026 in Spanish Fork, Utah.  Reclaimed: A Men’s Parts-Work Intensive - A transformative 4-day intensive for men in recovery from problematic sexual behaviors, using the Internal Family Systems model to help participants deepen emotional healing, reduce shame, understand their inner world, and live with greater authenticity and wholeness. August 18-21 in Spanish Fork, UT. 💵We don’t want finances to get in the way of your healing. Scholarships and payment plans (including buy now, pay later options) are available for all of our intensives.  Get our FREE eBook - Healing From Betrayal Trauma: A Compassionate Guide to Reclaiming Your Life Questions or topics you'd like us to address? Send us an email with “Choose To Be” as the subject to podcast@chooserecoveryservices.com.  Watch us⁠ on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram: @choose_recovery_services ⁠Schedule⁠ a complimentary consultation. Join our email list to be notified when new episodes air. More from Choose Recovery Services Beyond the Facade Podcast - Helping men live authentically and aligned with their values. Choose Healing - Weekly support group for women navigating betrayal trauma and its effects. Intensives - Immersive healing experiences designed for deep transformation in a short time. Help. Her. Heal - A program for men to build empathy, improve communication, and repair relationships. Beyond the Facade: Men’s Healing Group - Support for men working through addiction, shame, emotional growth, and relationship healing. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Empowered Divorce Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Amie Woolsey for those who are leaning toward divorce.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dating From Within - Learn to date yourself first and recognize when you’re ready for a healthy relationship. Should I Stay or Go? - A self-paced course guiding you toward clarity and personal empowerment. Trauma Trigger Kit - Grounding tools to help you manage triggers using your five senses. Believing in You - Learn brain-based tools to rebuild trust, empowerment, and joy. Intimacy Within ⁠- A self-paced guide to building authentic, vulnerable intimacy from the inside out. Making Sense of His Behavior - Group designed for those who are trying to make sense of confusing, painful, and hurtful behaviors in their relationship.

  4. Jun 30

    Why Knowing Better Doesn't Always Mean Doing Better

    Many people spend years reading books, listening to podcasts, attending therapy, and understanding addiction. Yet they still feel stuck. This week Luke and Alana explain why information alone never creates transformation—and what actually does. You'll learn: Why insight feels good but doesn’t change behavior The uncomfortable “growth zone” How emotional awareness rewires recovery Why habits matter more than motivation How integration creates lasting healing Chapters 01:35 The Recovery Expert Trap 02:25 Swimming Lessons 05:37 Insight vs Practice 07:24 Repetition 11:15 Integration 15:13 Systems 18:46 Compassion As You Try to Change Register Now! ***Use code PODCAST150 to get $150 off any Choose intensive or retreat in 2026!*** Courage to Thrive - Join us for this healing retreat for women who have experienced betrayal trauma. It offers a safe, supportive space to process pain, reconnect with yourself, and begin moving forward with strength and hope. Through guided workshops, therapeutic support, and restorative experiences, women leave feeling seen, empowered, and less alone. August 25-28, 2026 in Spanish Fork, Utah.  Reclaimed: A Men’s Parts-Work Intensive - A transformative 4-day intensive for men in recovery from problematic sexual behaviors, using the Internal Family Systems model to help participants deepen emotional healing, reduce shame, understand their inner world, and live with greater authenticity and wholeness. August 18-21 in Spanish Fork, UT. 💵We don’t want finances to get in the way of your healing. Scholarships and payment plans (including buy now, pay later options) are available for all of our intensives.  Get our FREE eBook - Healing From Betrayal Trauma: A Compassionate Guide to Reclaiming Your Life Questions or topics you'd like us to address? Send us an email with “Choose To Be” as the subject to podcast@chooserecoveryservices.com.  Watch us⁠ on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram: @choose_recovery_services ⁠Schedule⁠ a complimentary consultation. Join our email list to be notified when new episodes air. More from Choose Recovery Services Beyond the Facade Podcast - Helping men live authentically and aligned with their values. Choose Healing - Weekly support group for women navigating betrayal trauma and its effects. Intensives - Immersive healing experiences designed for deep transformation in a short time. Help. Her. Heal - A program for men to build empathy, improve communication, and repair relationships. Beyond the Facade: Men’s Healing Group - Support for men working through addiction, shame, emotional growth, and relationship healing. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Empowered Divorce Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Amie Woolsey for those who are leaning toward divorce.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dating From Within - Learn to date yourself first and recognize when you’re ready for a healthy relationship. Should I Stay or Go? - A self-paced course guiding you toward clarity and personal empowerment. Trauma Trigger Kit - Grounding tools to help you manage triggers using your five senses. Believing in You - Learn brain-based tools to rebuild trust, empowerment, and joy. Intimacy Within ⁠- A self-paced guide to building authentic, vulnerable intimacy from the inside out. Making Sense of His Behavior- Group designed for those who are trying to make sense of confusing, painful, and hurtful behaviors in their relationship.

  5. Jun 23

    How to Spot an Emotionally Shut-Down Man (Part 2)

    Why does an emotionally shut down man struggle to change—even when he genuinely wants to? In this follow-up episode, Luke and Alana respond to listener questions about emotional shutdown, nervous system healing, and what recovery actually looks like for men who have spent years disconnecting from their emotions. ***Listen to Part 1 HERE.*** Together they explore: Why insight alone doesn't create change What emotional shutdown is really protecting How attachment wounds shape adult relationships Why some men become more emotional after starting recovery What somatic work actually is How nervous system healing creates lasting transformation What emotional reconnection looks like in real life Chapters 01:23 Why Insight Isn’t Enough 07:40 What Shutdown Protects 11:50 Control and Safety 16:20 Predictability Over Vulnerability 20:10 Reconnecting Emotionally 28:53 Somatic Work Explained 30:14 Healing Takes Time Register Now! ***Use code PODCAST150 to get $150 off any Choose intensive or retreat in 2026!*** Courage to Thrive - Join us for this healing retreat for women who have experienced betrayal trauma. It offers a safe, supportive space to process pain, reconnect with yourself, and begin moving forward with strength and hope. Through guided workshops, therapeutic support, and restorative experiences, women leave feeling seen, empowered, and less alone. August 25-28, 2026 in Spanish Fork, Utah.  Reclaimed: A Men’s Parts-Work Intensive - A transformative 4-day intensive for men in recovery from problematic sexual behaviors, using the Internal Family Systems model to help participants deepen emotional healing, reduce shame, understand their inner world, and live with greater authenticity and wholeness. August 18-21 in Spanish Fork, UT. 💵We don’t want finances to get in the way of your healing. Scholarships and payment plans (including buy now, pay later options) are available for all of our intensives.  NEW Groups Making Sense of His Behavior - NEW group designed for anyone who is trying to make sense of confusing, painful, and hurtful behaviors in their relationship.  Know Your Story is a group for men who are ready to move beyond surface-level recovery and explore the experiences, beliefs, and patterns that have shaped their lives through guided writing exercises, reflection, and group discussion. Group starts June 22nd and runs for 14 weeks. Get our FREE eBook - Healing From Betrayal Trauma: A Compassionate Guide to Reclaiming Your Life Questions or topics you'd like us to address? Send us an email with “Choose To Be” as the subject to podcast@chooserecoveryservices.com.  Watch us⁠ on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram: @choose_recovery_services ⁠Schedule⁠ a complimentary consultation. Join our email list to be notified when new episodes air. More from Choose Recovery Services Beyond the Facade Podcast - Helping men live authentically and aligned with their values. Choose Healing - Weekly support group for women navigating betrayal trauma and its effects. Intensives - Immersive healing experiences designed for deep transformation in a short time. Help. Her. Heal - A program for men to build empathy, improve communication, and repair relationships. Beyond the Facade: Men’s Healing Group - Support for men working through addiction, shame, emotional growth, and relationship healing. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Empowered Divorce Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Amie Woolsey for those who are leaning toward divorce.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dating From Within - Learn to date yourself first and recognize when you’re ready for a healthy relationship. Should I Stay or Go? - A self-paced course guiding you toward clarity and personal empowerment. Trauma Trigger Kit - Grounding tools to help you manage triggers using your five senses. Believing in You - Learn brain-based tools to rebuild trust, empowerment, and joy. Intimacy Within ⁠- A self-paced guide to building authentic, vulnerable intimacy from the inside out.

  6. Jun 16

    How to Spot an Emotionally Shut-Down Man (Part 1)

    What does an emotionally shut down man actually look like? Spoiler:Usually not what people think. In this powerful conversation, Luke and Alana explore the hidden reality of emotional shutdown in men—especially the high-performing, successful men who appear “fine” on the outside but are deeply disconnected on the inside. From avoidant attachment to compulsive behavior, emotional numbness, and relational loneliness, this episode helps both men and betrayed partners understand what’s really happening beneath the surface. Healing is possible. Deeper connection is possible. But first—you have to feel. Chapters 01:48 What Being Emotionally Shut Down Looks Like 04:01 High Performing Shut down 09:13 Inside the Shutdown 12:39 Signs and Logic 16:54 Learning Emotional Safety 19:35 Tears and the Body 22:27 Busy vs Stillness 24:14 Chasing Intensity 30:00 Numbness and Dissociation 38:35 Individuation and Reconnection Register Now! ***Use code PODCAST150 to get $150 off any Choose intensive or retreat in 2026!*** Courage to Thrive - Join us for this healing retreat for women who have experienced betrayal trauma. It offers a safe, supportive space to process pain, reconnect with yourself, and begin moving forward with strength and hope. Through guided workshops, therapeutic support, and restorative experiences, women leave feeling seen, empowered, and less alone. August 25-28, 2026 in Spanish Fork, Utah.  Reclaimed: A Men’s Parts-Work Intensive - A transformative 4-day intensive for men in recovery from problematic sexual behaviors, using the Internal Family Systems model to help participants deepen emotional healing, reduce shame, understand their inner world, and live with greater authenticity and wholeness. August 18-21 in Spanish Fork, UT. 💵We don’t want finances to get in the way of your healing. Scholarships and payment plans (including buy now, pay later options) are available for all of our intensives.  NEW Groups Making Sense of His Behavior - NEW group designed for anyone who is trying to make sense of confusing, painful, and hurtful behaviors in their relationship.  Know Your Story is a group for men who are ready to move beyond surface-level recovery and explore the experiences, beliefs, and patterns that have shaped their lives through guided writing exercises, reflection, and group discussion. Group starts June 22nd and runs for 14 weeks. Get our FREE eBook - Healing From Betrayal Trauma: A Compassionate Guide to Reclaiming Your Life Questions or topics you'd like us to address? Send us an email with “Choose To Be” as the subject to podcast@chooserecoveryservices.com.  Watch us⁠ on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram: @choose_recovery_services ⁠Schedule⁠ a complimentary consultation. Join our email list to be notified when new episodes air. More from Choose Recovery Services Beyond the Facade Podcast - Helping men live authentically and aligned with their values. Choose Healing - Weekly support group for women navigating betrayal trauma and its effects. Intensives - Immersive healing experiences designed for deep transformation in a short time. Help. Her. Heal - A program for men to build empathy, improve communication, and repair relationships. Beyond the Facade: Men’s Healing Group - Support for men working through addiction, shame, emotional growth, and relationship healing. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Empowered Divorce Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Amie Woolsey for those who are leaning toward divorce.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dating From Within - Learn to date yourself first and recognize when you’re ready for a healthy relationship. Should I Stay or Go? - A self-paced course guiding you toward clarity and personal empowerment. Trauma Trigger Kit - Grounding tools to help you manage triggers using your five senses. Believing in You - Learn brain-based tools to rebuild trust, empowerment, and joy. Intimacy Within ⁠- A self-paced guide to building authentic, vulnerable intimacy from the inside out.

  7. Jun 9

    Everyone's Path is Unique

    What if you're not healing wrong? After betrayal, many people compare their recovery journey to others and wonder if they're making the right decisions. Whether it's disclosure, separation, therapy, support groups, or boundaries, it's easy to get caught in "should" thinking. In this episode, Alana discusses why healing isn't one-size-fits-all and how learning to trust your own intuition can become one of the most important parts of recovery. You'll learn: Why "should" often signals shame How comparison sabotages healing The difference between guidance and personal truth Why you don't need permission to trust yourself How to strengthen self-trust after betrayal trauma Chapters 01:10 The Shame Behind Should 04:53 You’re the Expert on You 10:48 Choosing Your Own Path 13:38 Building Self-Trust 18:57 Takeaways on Shoulds Register Now! ***Use promo code PODCAST150 to get $150 off when you register for any Choose intensive or retreat in 2026!*** 🌴NEW: Couples Retreat in Costa Rica! - If you are in a stable place in your relationship and want to reconnect, regulate, and rediscover each other, we invite you to our couples breathwork retreat July 30-August 3. Making Sense of His Behavior - NEW group designed for women trying to make sense of confusing, painful, and hurtful behaviors in their relationship.  Courage to Thrive - Join us for this healing retreat for women who have experienced betrayal trauma. It offers a safe, supportive space to process pain, reconnect with yourself, and begin moving forward with strength and hope. Through guided workshops, therapeutic support, and restorative experiences, women leave feeling seen, empowered, and less alone. August 25-28, 2026 in Spanish Fork, Utah. We don’t want finances to get in the way of your healing. Scholarships and payment plans (including buy now, pay later options) are available for all of our intensives.  Get our FREE eBook - Healing From Betrayal Trauma: A Compassionate Guide to Reclaiming Your Life Questions or topics you'd like us to address? Send us an email with “Choose To Be” as the subject to podcast@chooserecoveryservices.com.  Watch us⁠ on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram: @choose_recovery_services ⁠Schedule⁠ a complimentary consultation. Join our email list to be notified when new episodes air. More from Choose Recovery Services Beyond the Facade Podcast - Helping men live authentically and aligned with their values. Choose Healing - Weekly support group for women navigating betrayal trauma and its effects. Intensives - Immersive healing experiences designed for deep transformation in a short time. Help. Her. Heal - A program for men to build empathy, improve communication, and repair relationships. Beyond the Facade: Men’s Healing Group - Support for men working through addiction, shame, emotional growth, and relationship healing. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Empowered Divorce Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Amie Woolsey for those who are leaning toward divorce.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dating From Within - Learn to date yourself first and recognize when you’re ready for a healthy relationship. Should I Stay or Go? - A self-paced course guiding you toward clarity and personal empowerment. Trauma Trigger Kit - Grounding tools to help you manage triggers using your five senses. Believing in You - Learn brain-based tools to rebuild trust, empowerment, and joy. Intimacy Within ⁠- A self-paced guide to building authentic, vulnerable intimacy from the inside out.

  8. Jun 2

    A Deeper Dive Into Connecting Deeply

    You’ve done therapy. Communication is improving. The triggers aren’t as constant anymore. So why does emotional connection still feel difficult? This week, Alana explores the hidden layers of betrayal trauma that continue impacting intimacy long after recovery begins. From nervous system hypervigilance to protector parts, grief, shame, and emotional exhaustion, this conversation explains why closeness can still feel unsafe — even when both partners are trying. This episode offers compassionate insight for betrayed partners and couples working toward deeper relational healing after betrayal. Chapters 01:53 Betrayal and the Nervous System 06:32 Functional vs Emotional Intimacy 12:14 Protector Parts 18:38 Shared Grief 21:41 Common Blocks To Going Deep 28:30 Tools That Build Connection 34:39 Slow Steps Toward Safety If you want to connect deeper with your partner, consider joining us for our Rise and Renew couples retreat in Costa Rica this summer. If you are in a stable place in your relationship and want to reconnect, regulate, and rediscover each other, we invite you to our couples breathwork retreat.  Register Now! ***Use promo code PODCAST150 to get $150 off when you register for any Choose intensive or retreat in 2026!*** 🌴NEW: Couples Retreat in Costa Rica! - If you are in a stable place in your relationship and want to reconnect, regulate, and rediscover each other, we invite you to our couples breathwork retreat.  Making Sense of His Behavior - NEW group designed for women trying to make sense of confusing, painful, and hurtful behaviors in their relationship.  Courage to Thrive - Join us for this healing retreat for women who have experienced betrayal trauma. It offers a safe, supportive space to process pain, reconnect with yourself, and begin moving forward with strength and hope. Through guided workshops, therapeutic support, and restorative experiences, women leave feeling seen, empowered, and less alone. August 25-28, 2026 in Spanish Fork, Utah. We don’t want finances to get in the way of your healing. Scholarships and payment plans (including buy now, pay later options) are available for all of our intensives.  Get our FREE eBook - Healing From Betrayal Trauma: A Compassionate Guide to Reclaiming Your Life Questions or topics you'd like us to address? Send us an email with “Choose To Be” as the subject to podcast@chooserecoveryservices.com.  Watch us⁠ on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram: @choose_recovery_services ⁠Schedule⁠ a complimentary consultation. Join our email list to be notified when new episodes air. More from Choose Recovery Services Beyond the Facade Podcast - Helping men live authentically and aligned with their values. Choose Healing - Weekly support group for women navigating betrayal trauma and its effects. Intensives - Immersive healing experiences designed for deep transformation in a short time. Help. Her. Heal - A program for men to build empathy, improve communication, and repair relationships. Beyond the Facade: Men’s Healing Group - Support for men working through addiction, shame, emotional growth, and relationship healing. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Empowered Divorce Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Amie Woolsey for those who are leaning toward divorce.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dating From Within - Learn to date yourself first and recognize when you’re ready for a healthy relationship. Should I Stay or Go? - A self-paced course guiding you toward clarity and personal empowerment. Trauma Trigger Kit - Grounding tools to help you manage triggers using your five senses. Believing in You - Learn brain-based tools to rebuild trust, empowerment, and joy. Intimacy Within ⁠- A self-paced guide to building authentic, vulnerable intimacy from the inside out.

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4.8
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About

Choose to Be is about healing, growth, and choosing recovery after betrayal trauma, sexual addiction, and infidelity. Hosts share insights on emotional healing, authentic relationships, and the journey of rebuilding trust. Learn tools for self-compassion, integrity, and trust-building as you heal from pain and reclaim hope, peace, and connection. Alana Gordon-LMFT, CCPS, CSAT candidate, Betrayal Coach Amie Woolsey-Certified Brainspotting Practioner, Martin Warner AT Somatic Interweaves for DBR, PCP, APSATS-CPC, ELI-MP, COR.E, C-DGS ChooseRecoveryServices.com | info@chooserecoveryservices.com

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