Download - What is an Emotional Affair? | Estes Therapy
What is Emotional Cheating
Can you cheat without being physically intimate?
The Relationship is Hidden
O The difference between a
friendship and an emotional
affair is that the relationship
is hidden, secretive, or out
of your partner’s view
O Examples: you step outside
to take a call, text when
your in the bathroom, or
delete your
messages/photos
Emotional and Mentally Consuming
O Thoughts and
emotions no longer
consist of your
partner
O It can make you feel
“alive” again
O It can give you
something to look
forward to
Emotional Reaching
O You no longer reach out for your partner,
you reach out for emotional comfort and
closeness with the other person
O The other person is your first person you
reach to for comfort
O Examples: exciting news, feeling worried
about work, or upset about a family
member
The HIGH
O This new relationship causes an emotional high and a new rush
O People can often times survive on less sleep
O The excitement and flirtation is emotionally and physically arousing
Flirtation
O Flirtation comes out more than with
anyone else
O Your mind gets consumed with flirty
comments and humor that you haven’t
had in awhile
O The fun flirty chats are new and exciting
Talking About Them
O You might catch yourself talking about
them more often
O Every topic seems to a have a relationship
with this “friend” of yours
The Held-Back Thoughts
O You hold back from sharing your thoughts
or interactions that you have had with this
person
O Something inside of you holds you back
from bringing them up in conversation
Crossing the Line
O This is when you share inappropriate or
intimate information
O You send intimate photos, sexting, or flirty
messages back and forth
Dreams
O You dream more about this person
O Dreams become more intimate (physical
or emotional)
Ditching Responsibility
O Affairs can cause
people to ditch work
or their
responsibilities to
spend more time with
that person
O Affairs can be
extremely distracting
Internal Justifying
O You justify your actions because at “least
your are not having sex”
O Flirting can often turn into a deeper
connection
Read the Full article here: What is
Emotional Cheating?
Need Help?
O Get more Relationship Advice: Relationships In The Raw
O If you are in San Diego, schedule a counseling appointment: Estes Therapy
By Jennine Estes MFC
Marriage and Family Therapist MFC#47653
