Safety Seeking Behaviors

Until the injured partner begins to heal from the deep wound of relational trauma, he/she will continue seeking safety through searching and detective behaviors.

When the partner has been triggered, either by an environmental stimulus or a memory, they will need reassurance from their primary relationship that they are safe.  If the betraying partner is working their recovery and able to respond to the relational needs of the injured partner by moving toward rather than away, their deep sense of fear will be lessened.

If, however, the injured partner sends a call out for comfort and it goes unheard, they will need to work even more diligently on their own personal recovery and strengthening from within.