A recent Body+Soul feature unpacked the complex reality of infidelity; why people cheat, how betrayal is defined in the digital age, and what recovery can look like on the other side.
The 2025 Sex Census revealed that previous cheating remains the number one dealbreaker for Australians when selecting a partner.
Relationship therapist Kelly Anne Mitchell contributed expert insight on the blurred boundaries that shape modern relationships. With constant digital connection, behaviours like secret chats, flirty DMs, or even a single emoji can feel like profound breaches of trust.
Kelly explains how these boundary crossings represents secrecy, deception, and betrayal, and when ignored, can feel as painful as a physical affair. If you state a boundary and it’s disrespected, it will register as betrayal and feel similar to cheating.
In today’s society we’re taught to see infidelity as a character flaw, something that should be shamed and punished.
On couples going through it, infidelity is the equivalent of an atomic bomb in the foundation of your relationship. It makes people question if their love was a lie and threatens to delete all the good from the past. Trust takes an incredibly long time to rebuild, and triggers are common for a long time.
On repair, Kelly explains it begins with remorse, accountability, and a genuine desire to make amends.
Both people need to have a willingness to make it work and to develop the skills needed. From here, a positive process contains accountability, clear communication, the ability to be generous when triggers arise, ongoing vulnerability, and the ability to lean back into intimacy.
The betrayed partner needs space to grieve, while the unfaithful partner must learn patience and consistently show they can be trusted again.
Read the full article on Body+Soul to see Kelly Anne Mitchell’s insights alongside the latest expert commentary on why people cheat and how couples can navigate recovery.
Image source: Body+Soul Magazine article.
