Three Key Developments
- The Internet
- Social Media
- The Smart Phone
The Next Technological Phase
- Virtual Reality
- Robotics
- Artificial Intelligence
The Mechanisms in Support of Cyber Infidelity
- Accessibility
- Affordability
- Anonymity
- Portability
Common Case Presentation
- Discovery of cyber affair
- Treatment as the last hope for the relationship
- Possible accusation of “sex addiction”
- Broken trust
- Deep wound of partner
- Pervasive digital threat
- Underlying relationship issues
- Underlying sexual issues
- Underlying individual issues
Collaborative Model for the Treatment of and Recovery from Cyber Affairs
Four session assessment approach
- Facilitate the narrative: the couple’s story
- Address the offender’s shame and guilt
- Address the partner’s hurt, anger and insecurity
- A new model for trust
- Externalization of the problem
-the problem is the enemy, not each other - The solution is collaboration
Addressing triggers for each
- Gradual restoration of intimacy, affection, sexuality
- Collaborative technology management
- Relapse prevention
- Fading of treatment