Infidelity Therapy for Couples in Los Angeles by Dr. Harel Papikian

Trust, intimacy, and emotional connection are the cornerstones of any relationship, but when infidelity enters the picture, those foundations are deeply tested. The pain of betrayal, the confusion it brings, and the uncertainty about what lies ahead can leave couples feeling lost and disconnected.

Infidelity is more common than many realize. According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, about 15% of married couples report one or both spouses having had a physical affair. When emotional affairs are included, that number rises to 45%. 

Despite these challenging numbers, there is hope—roughly 70% of couples who seek therapy after infidelity find ways to rebuild their relationship with greater honesty and understanding.

That’s where Affair Counseling in Los Angeles can make a difference. Dr. Harel works with couples facing the aftermath of infidelity, offering online sessions that create a safe space to understand what happened, speak openly, and take meaningful steps toward healing. 

Many couples who once felt broken begin to reconnect and rebuild trust through this process, discovering new ways to communicate and move forward together.

 

Understanding Infidelity in Relationships

Infidelity is rarely just about the physical act. It often stirs deep emotional pain — feelings of betrayal, insecurity, and loss. It can also bring hidden issues in the relationship to the surface, leaving both partners unsure how to talk about what they’re going through.

One partner may feel shocked and devastated, while the other struggles with guilt or confusion. These emotions can create distance, whether through arguments, silence, or avoidance, making it harder to rebuild any sense of closeness.

At its heart, infidelity shakes the trust and commitment that hold a relationship together. Couples are often left asking: Can we repair this? Is it possible to trust again? Affair counseling in Los Angeles provides a safe, structured place to face these questions and start moving toward clarity and healing.

 

When You Might Need Affair Counseling

Infidelity can strain trust, intimacy, and communication. You may find counseling helpful if you’re experiencing:

• Inability to discuss the affair without conflict or withdrawal
• Persistent mistrust or suspicion
• Difficulty restoring emotional or physical closeness
• Recurring arguments about what happened
• Uncertainty about the future of the relationship
• Growing emotional distance from your partner

Affair counseling offers a structured space to address these issues and explore the next steps for your relationship.

 

How Affair Counseling in Los Angeles Can Help

When infidelity disrupts a relationship, counseling offers a direct way to address the pain, gain clarity, and explore what’s next for both partners.

• Offers a neutral space to discuss the affair without blame or defensiveness
• Opens the door to honest conversations about what happened and how it feels
• Identifies patterns and underlying relationship issues that may have contributed to the breach
• Introduces tools to rebuild trust and set boundaries
• Helps navigate emotions like anger, shame, grief, or uncertainty
• Clarifies whether to repair the relationship or part ways with understanding

 

Affair Counseling in Los Angeles with Dr. Harel Papikian: Rebuilding Trust and Clarity

When infidelity disrupts a relationship, the pain, confusion, and loss of trust can feel overwhelming. Dr. Harel Papikian, a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in relationship therapy, offers a clear, compassionate, and results-oriented approach to help couples navigate this critical stage.

Drawing on over 15 years of experience working with diverse couples, including many from LGBT+ and BIPOC communities, Dr. Harel understands how cultural and emotional dynamics shape the healing process.

His method blends empathy with direct guidance, creating a safe  space for both partners to address the impact of infidelity. Dr. Harel focuses on uncovering underlying patterns, unspoken expectations, and emotional triggers that contribute to relationship breakdowns. This helps couples understand each other’s needs and set clear, mutual goals.

He also emphasizes emotional reconnection—teaching partners to recognize, validate, and respond to each other’s feelings in ways that rebuild trust. Through structured conversations and actionable strategies, couples learn to set boundaries, improve communication, and make informed decisions about their future.

Sessions are conducted online for privacy and flexibility, with couples counseling rates in Los Angeles typically ranging from $200 to $300 per session. Sliding scale fees are available.

Whether repairing the bond or considering separation, Dr. Harel Papikian’s affair counseling helps couples achieve greater self-awareness, honest communication, and a clear path forward.

The Truth Behind Infidelity: What Many People Overlook

Infidelity can be deeply painful, often leaving people feeling judged, confused, or overwhelmed. Misconceptions about cheating can intensify guilt and pressure when in reality, the truth is often far more nuanced and personal.

Myth 1: Infidelity is rare

Truth: It’s more common than many people realize. According to a YouGov poll, around 20% of married Americans have admitted to cheating on their spouse at some point in the relationship.

Myth 2: Affairs only happen in unhappy relationships

Truth: Even couples who love each other can experience infidelity. Sometimes it stems less from the state of the relationship and more from personal struggles, disconnection, or unmet emotional needs.

Myth 3: Once someone cheats, they will always cheat

Truth: That’s not true for everyone. Many people who cheat feel genuine remorse and want to rebuild trust. With honesty and the right therapy, healing and change are possible.

 

 What to Expect from Affair Counseling in Los Angeles with Dr. Harel Papikian

 

Affair counseling with Dr. Harel Papikian begins by examining how infidelity has affected both partners and the relationship. The first step is helping each person express their emotions and perspectives to build a shared understanding.

Leveraging his unique ARM method—a specialized approach he developed—Dr. Harel guides couples through a structured process helping them heal and rebuild trust together.

Counseling emphasizes clarity and informed decision-making, helping partners acknowledge the past as they create a better future, whether they choose reconciliation or separation.

Throughout his special approach, Dr.Harel uses the ARM method to help couples:

• Awareness:

  Understand the state of the relationship at this time, and how we got here.

   

• Release:

  Process emotional pain and address negative beliefs we may hold about ourselves, others, relationships, etc.

   

• Mastery

  : Develop relational skills of communication, reconnection, deescalation, conflict resolution and intimacy, to handle future challenges confidently and maintain balance and resilience.

Healing Hearts, Restoring Relationships

Infidelity therapy is a process that asks couples to be vulnerable and honest. It challenges each partner to look inward and also to listen deeply to the other. While it doesn’t erase the pain, it opens possibilities for growth and new understanding.

Many couples who pursue affair counseling in Los Angeles find that the relationship evolves, even if it doesn’t follow the path they initially expected. Some rebuild a stronger foundation of trust. Others find peace in ending the relationship with respect.

Whatever the outcome, counseling provides clarity and emotional alignment—key factors for any decision. Book a session with Dr. Harel Papikian today.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How common is infidelity?

   Studies show that 20–40% of couples experience infidelity at some point. While the numbers vary, it’s a more common issue than many expect. Dr. Harel Papikian helps couples address this reality with compassion, identifying the factors that contributed to the breach.

2. Can a relationship survive infidelity?

   Yes. Many couples rebuild trust and connection after infidelity, but it requires time, effort, and help. Affair counseling with Dr. Harel Papikian provides structured steps to heal emotional wounds, restore trust, and create a stronger, more transparent relationship.

3. What typically follows initial disclosure of an affair?

   After disclosure, emotions often range from shock and anger to grief and confusion. Communication may stall, and trust feels broken. Dr. Harel Papikian helps couples navigate this stage by fostering honest dialogue and guiding emotional processing.

4. What contributes to infidelity?

   Infidelity can stem from unmet emotional needs, weak communication, lack of intimacy, personal dissatisfaction, or opportunity. Sometimes, unresolved personal struggles or deeper relationship issues are involved. Identifying the root causes is key to meaningful healing.

5. What questions help couples reflect after infidelity?

Helpful questions include: What did this mean to you? Do you still love me? What needs were unmet? How has this experience reshaped our connection? Can we use this crisis and pain to gain a deeper understanding of each other? Do we want to rebuild a deeper and stronger connection?  This reflection fosters self-awareness, strengthens communication, and helps partners decide whether to rebuild or part ways with clarity.