From Heartbreak to Hope

Your Guide to Surviving and Healing After an Affair

Jeff Murrah, LPC, LCDC, CMNCS

Jeff Murrah, LPC, LCDC, CMNCS

Jeff Murrah is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) with over 45 years of experience. After experiencing the devastation of infidelity firsthand, he dedicated his career to helping families overcome similar challenges.

A pioneer in online counseling since 1999, Jeff's work has been featured on Wall Street Journal Radio and the Larry Elder Show. In 2010, he was selected for inclusion in the "Counseling Courier's Marriage Counselor Hall of Fame" as one of the top 15 marriage and family counselors. Jeff is also a Certified Mental Health & Nutrition Clinical Specialist (CMNCS) and Farm Response Certified.
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​​​​​​​A sixth-generation Texan, Jeff earned his degrees from the University of Houston at Clear Lake. Married since 1985, he and his wife Peggy have three sons and two granddaughters and reside in the Texas Hill Country.

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A vibrant, abstract painting of a couple standing close together, with the man gently holding the woman's hand as he leans in toward her. The woman has a thoughtful expression, while the colorful, bold strokes around them evoke a mix of emotions, symbolizing the complexity of love, loyalty, and tension in relationships after an affair.
Affair Relapse Affairs and Popular Culture

The Unnatural Tensions and Loyalties After an Affair

Affairs create unnatural tensions in blended families—loyalty issues, tough choices, and no-win situations. Here’s how to navigate through the mess and find a path forward.

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A stylized illustration of a woman sitting thoughtfully on a set of steps, wearing a cream-colored dress and heels, with her hands resting on her knees. Her contemplative expression and relaxed posture symbolize the patience and reflection required during the lengthy process of affair recovery.
Affair Recovery Understanding Affairs

The Surprising Truth About Affair Recovery and the Power of Patience

Think affair recovery will be quick? Here’s why it takes longer than you think—and how patience can make all the difference in rebuilding your relationship.

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A stylized illustration of a woman with wavy hair, looking over her shoulder with a serious and introspective expression. The bold colors and shading emphasize her blue eyes and the sense of emotional depth, symbolizing the struggle and reflection involved in recovering from an affair and preventing relapse.
Rebuilding Your Marriage Understanding Affairs

How to Spot Early Warning Signs and Protect Your Relationship From Affair Relapse

"Think your spouse is at risk of cheating again? Don’t wait until it’s too late—learn to spot the early warning signs and take action to protect your relationship now.

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A stylized, grayscale illustration of a woman holding a red heart close to her chest while looking down at it with a solemn expression. The vibrant red heart contrasts with the monochromatic tones, symbolizing emotional pain, healing, or heartbreak.
Depression and Affairs Emotional Recovery

Why Meds Won’t Heal Your Broken Heart After an Affair

Meds can’t heal your broken heart—they can only mask the pain. Here’s why recovery from an affair requires more than just medication, and how to start the process of true healing.

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A cubist-style painting of a couple embracing closely, with both figures appearing to find comfort and solace in each other's arms. The geometric shapes and vibrant colors of the artwork emphasize the emotional depth of their connection, symbolizing healing, forgiveness, and intimacy.
Affairs in the News Understanding Affairs

How Media Normalizes Infidelity and What You Can Do About It

Are you being groomed to cheat? Media constantly normalizes infidelity, and it’s easy to fall into that mindset without even realizing it. Here’s how to recognize the signs and protect your relationship.

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A confident woman walking down a set of stairs, dressed in a professional outfit, wearing sunglasses and a hat. Her stride is purposeful, symbolizing progress and forward movement. The image suggests determination and growth, reflecting the journey of rebuilding trust in a relationship.
Emotional Recovery Rebuilding Your Marriage

How to Rebuild Trust and Strengthen Your Marriage After an Affair

Rebuilding trust isn’t about wishful thinking—it’s about real action. When trust is broken in your marriage, here are the concrete steps you need to take to repair it and build a solid foundation again.

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A pop-art style illustration of a woman with blue hair, looking off into the distance with a neutral, detached expression. The background is orange with dotted patterns and a white speech bubble shape behind her, symbolizing unspoken words or unresolved emotions, reflecting the emotional detachment often experienced in ghosting.
Emotional Recovery Recovery and Self-Care

Why Ghosting Can Be a Blessing in Disguise When Ending an Affair

Ghosting feels cruel, but what if it’s actually the cleanest, kindest way to end an affair? Here’s why ghosting might be a blessing in disguise when you’re ready to break free.

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A split image showing a man on the left side, sitting at one end of a couch, representing emotional distance and conflict during an argument. On the right side, a woman sits calmly, reaching out, symbolizing healing and reconciliation. The split between the two highlights the transition from toxic arguments to healing after an affair.
Rebuilding Your Marriage Recovery and Self-Care

How to Avoid Toxic Arguments and Heal Your Relationship After an Affair

Ever find yourself stuck in a never-ending argument with your spouse? It might be time to stop pushing and start healing. Here’s how to recognize when a conversation turns toxic—and what you can do to break the cycle.

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an angry man holding on to anger and bad habits from his partner's affair
Affair Recovery Affair Relapse

How to Stop Anger and Bad Habits From Ruining Your Life After an Affair

Are you replaying the hurt from the affair over and over in your mind? It might feel comforting in the moment, but it’s only fueling your anger and keeping you stuck. Here’s how to break free from those destructive habits and finally heal.

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Confronting the Cheater Understanding Affairs

The Problem of Mom Shaming and Its Place in Today’s Culture

In today’s culture, the boundaries around marriage seem blurrier than ever, especially when single parents use child-friendly environments as opportunities to poach spouses. But does that make mom shaming justified? Here’s the hard truth—and what you can do to protect your marriage.

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A stylized illustration of a woman with long dark hair, a solemn expression, and red lipstick. She is depicted in a pop art style with bold lines and contrasting shadows. The background features abstract, muted colors with a soft circular design.
Emotional Recovery Understanding Affairs

How Early-Life Trauma Rewires Your Brain and Relationships — And the Path to Healing

Early-life trauma doesn’t just leave scars—it rewires your brain. It changes how you see the world, how you react in relationships, and how you experience life. But it doesn’t have to define your future. Here’s how you can start healing and regain control of your life.

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Affair Recovery Emotional Recovery

How to Handle Intense Emotions and Move Past Revenge After an Affair

Betrayed, angry, and craving revenge? You're not alone. After the shock of an affair, those emotions can feel all-consuming. But what if holding onto revenge is only hurting you more? It’s time to let go of the pain and move toward true healing. Let me show you how to find peace—even after the deepest betrayal

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A woman driving a car with a determined expression, her hair blowing in the wind as she navigates a road at sunset, symbolizing the journey of regaining control and steering through life's challenges after experiencing the emotional turmoil of an affair.
Affair Recovery Understanding Affairs

How to Cope When Life Spins Out of Control After an Affair

What do you do when your world spins out of control after discovering an affair? The chaos can make you feel powerless, helpless, and trapped in a cycle of emotional turmoil. But even in the midst of this storm, there are ways to cope, regain your balance, and begin the journey to healing. Let’s explore how you can manage your emotions and reclaim control, even when everything seems to be falling apart.

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A strong, determined woman with a serious expression, wearing a leather jacket, stands against a backdrop of a dusky sky, symbolizing the emotional resilience and complexity faced by those dealing with the consequences of sexual liberation and its impact on relationships.
Affairs and Popular Culture Sexual Addiction and Affairs

The Sexual Liberation Paradox: How One Spouse’s Freedom Becomes the Other’s Bondage

What happens when one partner's quest for sexual liberation leaves the other trapped in emotional turmoil? This paradoxical situation isn't just about freedom—it's about the hidden costs that come with it. Join me as we explore how what seems like liberation can become a form of bondage, unraveling the very fabric of a relationship.

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Illustration of a person driving along a winding mountain road, symbolizing the emotional journey of navigating the twists and turns in a relationship after infidelity and the withdrawal of love.
Affair Recovery Emotional Recovery

What to Do When Your Spouse Stops Saying ‘I Love You’

What do you do when the words ‘I love you’ suddenly disappear from your spouse’s lips? It’s a gut-wrenching experience that can leave you questioning everything. As a counselor, I’ve seen the profound impact of this emotional withdrawal. Let’s explore how you can navigate the pain, understand the underlying issues, and begin the journey to healing—even when infidelity isn’t part of the story.

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Abstract painting of a couple with serious expressions, symbolizing the complexity and emotional intensity that often accompanies the abrupt ending of an affair, as discussed in the article 'Why Do Affairs End Without Warning?'
Recovery and Self-Care Understanding Affairs

Why Do Affairs End Without Warning?

When an affair ends without warning, the abruptness can leave everyone involved reeling. But what drives such sudden breakups? Whether it’s fear of commitment, boredom, or the looming threat of exposure, the reasons behind these abrupt endings are as complex as the relationships themselves.

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A stylized portrait of a confident woman with striking blue eyes and red lipstick, representing the allure and risks associated with swinging and the merchandising of one's spouse.
Sexual Addiction and Affairs Swinging and Affairs

From Swinging to Only Fans

Swinging might start as consensual fun, but what happens when private moments are commodified? Explore the unsettling reality of how sexual behaviors can lead to the merchandising of your spouse, turning private acts into public exploitation. It’s time to face the darker side of this lifestyle and take steps to protect your relationship.

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A woman in a red dress stands in a vast, open space, holding a calendar against a backdrop of clouds and sunlight, symbolizing the journey and passage of time required to heal and feel normal after the emotional shock of an affair.
Recovery and Self-Care Understanding Affairs

How Long Does It Take to Feel Normal After an Affair?

Recovering from the emotional shock of an affair is a journey filled with ups and downs. While the path to feeling "normal" again varies for everyone, understanding the timeline and factors at play can help you navigate the healing process with greater clarity and patience.

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