This episode is proudly sponsored by Jodie's group, Trauma Warriors™.

In Not My Closet: How Betrayal Trauma Impacts Self & Body Image, Karen Bieman talks to us about betrayal trauma and the impact this has on the sense of self and body image of straight and non-trans partners in relationships with a closeted lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender person.

• What brought Karen to this work
• Karen’s relationship song
• When Karen’s husband told her the truth about being gay
• Why Karen’s life felt like a lie
• Karen’s life work
• Disenfranchised grief
• Why the betrayed partner is often silenced
• Why you should never say ‘at least…’
• Brene Brown Empathy versus sympathy
• What are the types of betrayal trauma relationships?
• Lies, deception and betrayal
• Why the betrayed partner feels confused, used and angry
• Shame, silence and betrayal
• Homophobia and collateral damage
• Conversion therapy and other solutions
• What is intentional monogamy?
• What happens to most couples?
• Mutual respect is the ultimate goal
• Gaslighting and betrayal trauma
• Existential crisis and coming out
• The impact on the children
• The impact of the betrayal on the straight or non-trans partner
• The impact on the straight and non-trans partner’s body image
• Shame and body image
• Using food, disgust as a coping mechanism
• Yo-yo dieting and weight cycling is disordered eating
• Dieting is an attempt to fix something that has never been broken (Jodie’s article)
• Object relations and primary attachment injuries
• Post-traumatic growth – what is the symptom calling for us to awakening to?
• Value, meaning and purpose
• Anger and recovery
• Fierce self-compassion - Kristen Neff
• Self-sabotage versus self-love
• Dating again and trust
• Relational healing, therapy and support groups
• Individual and couples counselling

For the show notes, go to: https://www.thesoulcentre.online/not-my-closet/