Of all the relational experiences we can go through, betrayal is one of the most severe and painful. Betrayal can shatter our sense of safety, our identity, and our ability to trust our own judgment. And when we’re hurt by the very person we used to go to for comfort, the fallout will be even more complex due to the disorienting push-pull dynamic.

Betrayal doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and it’s so much more than a relational rupture. It’s a catastrophic experience that the nervous system processes as a threat to safety and connection – and for many people, that threat registers as traumatic. 


“You are too emotional” and “stop being so emotional” are two phrases I deeply dislike. Emotions often get a bad reputation, and many people tend to treat emotions like unwelcome guests or something to be suppressed and ignored rather than embraced and valued. While emotions may appear inconvenient, I want you to know you are not ‘too much,’ and your emotions matter. They matter very much.