Porn, Betrayal, Sex and the Experts — PBSE
Two sex addicts in long-term successful recovery are ALSO world-class Counselors who specialize in porn and sex addiction recovery. Drawing on 40 years of combined personal and professional experience, Mark and Steve get RAW and REAL about HOW to overcome addiction, heal betrayal trauma and save your marriage. If you're struggling with addiction—we get it. Recovery is hard. We've been there. We'll help you take the fight to your addiction like never before. If you're married to an addict—we KNOW what it's like to nearly destroy a marriage! We'll help you understand the world of your husband's addiction and begin healing your betrayal trauma, regardless of what he decides to do. You don't have to stay stuck. You don't have to keep suffering. We've made all the mistakes so you don't have to. Take back your life. Take back your marriage. Let's do this together! This is the PBSE podcast.
Porn, Betrayal, Sex and the Experts — PBSE
The Impact of a Sexually Abusive Childhood on a Betrayed Partner (PART 1)
In Episode 293, Mark ands Steve address how childhood sexual abuse is a form of complex trauma that imprints deeply on a survivor’s understanding of love, trust, and sexuality. It often distorts sexual norms, blurs boundaries between consent and compliance, and creates lasting confusion around intimacy. Survivors may develop insecure attachment styles—avoidant, anxious, or disorganized—and struggle with either extreme sexual avoidance or sexualized attempts to gain connection and worth. These patterns are not merely psychological; they are wired into the brain’s emotional memory systems, shaping relationships for decades.
When betrayal trauma occurs in adulthood, the impact is often magnified for survivors of early abuse. The discovery of infidelity or sexual betrayal can reawaken old wounds, undermining not just trust in the current relationship but in people in general. Past reconciliations with abusers or protectors may unravel, and hypervigilance can take over—making the world feel unsafe at every turn. This compounded trauma is not simply about the betrayal itself; it’s about the way the betrayal mirrors and magnifies the earliest, most damaging experiences in the survivor’s life.
Understanding these intersections is critical for both survivors and their partners—especially those in addiction recovery. Naming these patterns removes the mystery behind overwhelming emotional reactions, replacing self-blame or confusion with clarity. For the unfaithful partner, it deepens awareness of the harm caused and the seriousness of the recovery work ahead. For the survivor, it creates a foundation for informed healing—making it possible to separate past from present and begin rebuilding trust and safety in a deliberate, compassionate way.
For a full transcript of this podcast in article format, go to: Healing for Betrayed Partners with a Sexually Abusive Past (PART 2)
Learn more about Mark and Steve's revolutionary online porn/sexual addiction recovery and betrayal trauma healing program at—daretoconnectnow.com
Find out more about Steve Moore at: Ascension Counseling
Learn more about Mark Kastleman at: Reclaim Counseling Services