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Can a marriage actually survive an affair and come out stronger?

Most people assume the answer is no. But marriage and family therapist Amanda Deverich, author of Affair Repair, has spent years walking couples through one of the most painful experiences a relationship can face — and what she's found might surprise you.

In this episode, Katie sits down with Amanda to break down the five phases of affair repair: from the moment of discovery, through the crisis that follows, into the longer, harder work of rebuilding trust. They talk honestly about why affairs happen (hint: almost never for the reason you think), what "affair PTS" actually feels like, and why the uncertain or doubtful betrayer is far more common than anyone admits.

You'll also hear about affair limerence — the uncontrollable pull toward the affair partner that can persist even after discovery — and why understanding what both partners are going through is the key to healing.

Whether you're in the middle of this right now, quietly wondering if your marriage can be something more, or simply trying to understand how couples survive the unsurvivable — this conversation offers a roadmap. And a lot of grace.

Amanda's book, Affair Repair, is available at affairrepair.com.

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