Monique ThompsonLicensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor & Infidelity Recovery Specialist

EMDR for Couples

13 Oct 2026 · 2 min

Watch on YouTube

1:32

In this concise monologue, Dr. Monique Thompson explains why she relies on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to help couples navigate relationships that have become unsafe, especially after incidents of infidelity. She describes how each person carries a lifelong “younger self” whose early beliefs and experiences shape current thoughts and actions, including cheating behaviors. For the brain to make sense of these painful events, it must first feel safe; otherwise, it remains in a state of hyper‑arousal (“on fire”). Dr. Thompson positions EMDR as a therapeutic “water” that cools this fire, allowing the brain to process and integrate the underlying memories and beliefs, leading to authentic truth and healing. She concludes with an invitation to contact her via her website or Instagram for further support.

Chapters

Why I'm so glad that I use EMDR as a tool when dealing with relationships and relationships that have started to feel unsafe, specifically ones where infidelity has occurred. You'll find that there's one part of you that's always been with you, and it's your brain. Your brain cells have been with you since your birth, and over the years there's been this continual increase of information for your brain to make sense of on the outside world but also inside of you. So when something tragic happens where you find yourself cheating on your partner, doing something you thought you'd never do, or you find yourself being the affair partner, doing something you thought you'd never do, or being someone who was cheated on, trying to figure things out that you thought you'd never do, where did that thought come from? It came from a younger version of yourself. And likely we're going to have to go back and uncover all these beliefs and get down to your real authentic truth. In order for your brain to engage in the sense-making it needs to feel safe. I love EMDR for infidelity. I like it anyway for just everyday things, but in particular in relationships, when you don't feel safe, it's almost like the brain is on fire. And this is the most beautiful water I've been able to find to help put the water out. I'm Dr. Monique Thompson. I use a number of tools, EMDR being one of them, to help couples recover from infidelity. Reach out to me, follow me online, drmoniquethompson.com, or on Instagram @drmoniquethompson. Take care, everybody.