Drawing on 31 years of clinical experience, Dr. Skinner unpacks how secrecy, betrayal, and shame fracture intimacy and safety in relationships. He explains how shame often drives hiding, defensiveness, and withdrawal, while also preventing authentic connection. Moving beyond shame means taking accountability, choosing honesty, and creating space for compassion toward self and partner.

Listeners are guided through the core principles of repair — honesty, consistency, and empathy — and are introduced to practical steps such as daily check-ins, reflective listening, and couples agreements. Dr. Skinner also explains structured repair processes like full disclosure, impact letters, and emotional restitution letters as tools for rebuilding trust.

The episode closes with a reflection assignment: writing a Letter of Intent that outlines how you want to show up differently in relationships, what commitments you are willing to make, and how you will face shame honestly as a path toward growth.

• Treating Trauma from Sexual Betrayal

• Rebuild Your Relationship after Sexual Betrayal

• Treating Pornography Addiction

• Becker, M. & Kwee, A. (2020). Compassion for Couples: Building the Skills of Forgiveness, Empathy, and Mindfulness.

• Tatkin, S. (2016). Wired for Love: How Understanding Your Partner’s Brain and Attachment Style Can Help You Defuse Conflict and Build a Secure Relationship.

• Duhigg, C. (2023). Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection.

• Recovery Capital Scale – measure the personal and relational resources that support long-term healing.

• Sexual Stress Inventory – identify areas of stress influencing pornography use and relationships.

• Intimacy Scale (HumanIntimacy.com) – reflect on strengths and growth areas in relational connection.