Intimacy is a fundamental human experience that goes far beyond romantic relationships. Join us as we dive into the deep and multifaceted layers of human connection, exploring everything from friendship and family bonds to self-love and vulnerability. Through thought-provoking conversations with experts, personal stories, and practical advice, we’ll uncover the secrets to nurturing meaningful relationships in a fast-paced digital world. From exploring trust and fostering emotional intimacy to navigating conflicts and rediscovering oneself, we’re here to discover the essence of what it means to truly connect with others and ourselves. Whether you’re seeking to improve your relationships, gain insights into human behaviors, or simply crave a meaningful conversation that enriches your understanding of human connection, you won’t want to miss a single episode of The Human Intimacy Podcast.
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Intimacy is a fundamental human experience that goes far beyond romantic relationships. Join us as we dive into the deep and multifaceted layers of human connection, exploring everything from friendship and family bonds to self-love and vulnerability. Through thought-provoking conversations with experts, personal stories, and practical advice, we’ll uncover the secrets to nurturing meaningful relationships in a fast-paced digital world. From exploring trust and fostering emotional intimacy to navigating conflicts and rediscovering oneself, we’re here to discover the essence of what it means to truly connect with others and ourselves. Whether you’re seeking to improve your relationships, gain insights into human behaviors, or simply crave a meaningful conversation that enriches your understanding of human connection, you won’t want to miss a single episode of The Human Intimacy Podcast.
The Disclosure Process: When Honesty Opens the Door to Healing (Episode #72)
The Human Intimacy Podcast
43 minutes 16 seconds
4 months ago
The Disclosure Process: When Honesty Opens the Door to Healing (Episode #72)
The Disclosure Process:
When Honesty Opens the Door to Healing
Episode Summary:
In this deeply compassionate and informative episode of the Human Intimacy Podcast, Dr. Kevin Skinner and MaryAnn Michaels explore one of the most difficult but essential stages in healing from betrayal trauma—the disclosure process. Beginning with the devastation of discovery (D-Day), they walk listeners through the emotional aftermath, the common patterns of staggered and trickle disclosure, and the powerful, structured process of a formal therapeutic disclosure. They explain how this process—consisting of a disclosure statement, an impact letter, and an emotional restitution letter—can move couples toward clarity, trust, and reconnection when handled with care and preparation.
Dr. Skinner shares research insights from Jennifer Schneider and Peggy Vaughan, emphasizing the high percentage of couples who found healing and stability after going through a formal disclosure. The conversation also highlights when disclosure is not appropriate—particularly when divorce is imminent or used for legal leverage.
Whether you’re navigating betrayal trauma or supporting someone who is, this episode offers validation, hope, and practical guidance for one of the hardest conversations a couple can have.
Resources Mentioned:
Formal Therapeutic Disclosure Process
Step 1: Full behavioral disclosure facilitated by therapists
Step 2: Impact Letter from the betrayed partner
Step 3: Emotional Restitution Letter from the partner who acted out
Research Cited:
Dr. Jennifer Schneider – Found 90–93% of participants who completed a disclosure were glad they did
Dr. Peggy Vaughan – Found 86% of couples who discussed the details of infidelity were still together, compared to 55% who did not
Key Terms Defined:
Staggered Disclosure
Trickle Disclosure
Shock vs. Stealth Discovery
Safety Seeking Behavior
Locus of Control
Zeigarnik Effect (the mind’s tendency to fixate on incomplete stories)
Related Courses by Dr. Skinner at Human Intimacy:
Building Boundaries After Betrayal
Couple Communication and Reflective Listening
How to Communicate When You Don’t Know What to Say
The Human Intimacy Podcast
Intimacy is a fundamental human experience that goes far beyond romantic relationships. Join us as we dive into the deep and multifaceted layers of human connection, exploring everything from friendship and family bonds to self-love and vulnerability. Through thought-provoking conversations with experts, personal stories, and practical advice, we’ll uncover the secrets to nurturing meaningful relationships in a fast-paced digital world. From exploring trust and fostering emotional intimacy to navigating conflicts and rediscovering oneself, we’re here to discover the essence of what it means to truly connect with others and ourselves. Whether you’re seeking to improve your relationships, gain insights into human behaviors, or simply crave a meaningful conversation that enriches your understanding of human connection, you won’t want to miss a single episode of The Human Intimacy Podcast.
