Dr. Rob and authors Lindsey Stanley and Dr. Stevie Hall define and discuss therapeutic separation, an intentional process crafted to help bring about safety, stability, and individual and relational insight. They consider the different types of therapeutic separation, the benefits of each approach, and how separation can be the greatest gift that a betraying partner can offer their spouse.

TAKEAWAYS:

[2:20] Defining therapeutic separation as a structured and temporary step in recovery.

[3:55] Is active separation headed toward divorce?

[5:25] Different types of separation offer different benefits.

[7:35] Maintaining boundaries while living in roommate mode.

[9:20] Legal separation versus legal divorce.

[11:50] Permanent separation indicates maintaining a marriage that you don’t intend to reconcile.

[13:35] External and internal factors that motivate people to separate or not.

[15:34] Negotiating differing partner desires between reconciliation and divorce.

[17:36] Factors that contribute to a successful therapeutic separation.

[21:20] Sometimes by giving that space, you are helping your relationship heal.

RESOURCES:

Sex and Relationship Healing

@RobWeissMSW

Sex Addiction 101

Seeking Integrity

Free Sexual Addiction Screening Assessment

Partner Sexuality Survey

Lindsey Stanley

Dr. Stevie Hall

Seeking Integrity Podcasts are produced in partnership with Podfly Productions.

QUOTES:

• “Separation can allow you to disengage emotionally while you seek clarity and healing.”
• “Permanent separation indicates that you are not pursuing reconciliation, but you are also not pursuing divorce.”
• “At times there needs to be an intentional pause on the relationship because the cycle the couple is in is creating so much destruction.”
• “Sometimes by giving that space, you are helping, and you are supporting.”