3 San Francisco Infidelity & Affair Counselors Ready for Hire
Affairs, as well as other breaches of trust, can be devastating to a couple, affecting your connection, emotional well-being, and sense of security in your relationship.
Therapy can help couples heal from infidelity, but finding the right therapist who understands the complex dynamics of affair recovery is essential.
At California Couples Counseling, we specialize in helping couples navigate this difficult time with compassionate, evidence-based care specifically designed for betrayal recovery.
Here, we introduce you to our expert infidelity and affair recovery specialists so you can find the support that’s right for your situation.
Highly recommended San Francisco infidelity specialists
Best for complex betrayal trauma situations: Christopher Kelm
Best for holistic affair recovery: Kierra Gordon-Smith
Best for infidelity counseling for sex addiction: Tammie Makely
Why trust us?
Our therapists featured here bring specialized experience in affair recovery. They blend evidence-based modalities, such as the Gottman Method, with expertise in helping couples heal from infidelity. Our clinicians help people address the emotions that come with the breach of trust and gain insight into deeper dynamics that may have contributed to the relationship crisis.
How we selected
We've highlighted therapists who specialize specifically in infidelity and affair recovery, each bringing extensive experience supporting couples through betrayal trauma. These clinicians are trained in complementary therapeutic modalities, including trauma treatment and evidence-based couples therapy approaches for comprehensive care. They each have their own additional specialty areas as well, ensuring you get customized support for your unique situation.
Meet the therapists
Christopher Kelm
Best for complex betrayal trauma situations
| Good fit for: | Not a fit for: |
|---|---|
| Men’s issues | Court-mandated therapy |
| Depression & anxiety | Crisis intervention |
| Online therapy | In-person therapy |
Offers infidelity counseling: ✓
Clientele: Adults & couples
Location: San Francisco, CA
Virtual therapy?: Yes
Christopher's unique background in criminology with victimology specialization provides him with exceptional insight into the trauma responses experienced by betrayed partners. His academic training in understanding how victims process violation and betrayal translates directly to helping couples navigate the complex aftermath of infidelity, including the emotional and sexual intimacy issues that often underly betrayal.
| Good fit for: | Not a fit for: |
|---|---|
| Mind-body-spirit approaches | Anger management counseling |
| Work-related stressors | Court-mandated therapy |
| Online therapy | In-person therapy |
Kierra Gordon-Smith, LMFT
Best for holistic affair recovery
Offers infidelity counseling: ✓
Clientele: Adults & couples
Location: San Francisco, CA
Virtual therapy?: Yes
Kierra specializes in helping couples restore emotional safety and connection after betrayal through a comprehensive approach that honors the whole person. Her client-centered methodology creates space for deep emotional processing while also teaching practical tools for communication and gradually rebuilding trust. She excels at helping partners reconnect with themselves and each other during the healing journey.
Tammie Makely, LMFT
Best for infidelity counseling for sex addiction
Offers infidelity counseling: ✓
Clientele: Adults & couples
Location: San Francisco, CA
Virtual therapy?: Yes
Tammie specializes in the complex intersection of sex addiction and relationship betrayal, understanding how compulsive sexual behaviors can contribute to ongoing cycles of infidelity and broken trust. Her expertise addresses both the addictive patterns driving the betrayal and the trauma experienced by partners. Using highly effective techniques like EMDR and the Gottman method, she offers comprehensive support for couples navigating the unique challenges of recovery when addiction is a factor.
| Good fit for: | Not a fit for: |
|---|---|
| Trauma & PTSD (offers EMDR) | Crisis intervention |
| Anger management | Court-mandated therapy |
| Online therapy | In-person therapy |
FAQs about infidelity & affair recovery counseling
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Yes, specialized couples therapy can be highly effective for infidelity recovery. Our therapists are trained in evidence-based approaches, such as the Gottman Method, that can help couples reconnect and rebuild trust after betrayal. Through therapy, couples learn to process the trauma of infidelity, improve communication, and develop strategies for rebuilding emotional safety.
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While results vary, one study suggests that more than half of couples who go to therapy for infidelity remain married. Success requires commitment from both partners, but many couples walk away with stronger, healthier relationships than before the betrayal occurred.
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The recovery process from an affair typically involves three distinct phases:
Phase 1 focuses on managing the immediate emotional crisis following discovery, where our therapists provide a safe space for both partners to express their feelings and begin stabilizing.
Phase 2 aims to understand how the affair happened by exploring the emotional state and relationship dynamics that contributed, not to assign blame, but to understand the context.
Phase 3 focuses on rebuilding trust and moving forward, whether recommitting to the marriage or parting amicably.
This process typically takes 6-12 months, though exact timelines (and the duration of each phase) can vary depending on your specific situation.
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Our practice tends to be a good fit if you’re looking for specialized, evidence-based affair recovery. Unlike general therapy practices, we focus solely on relationships, meaning you'll work with specialists who understand the unique dynamics of affair recovery. We’re also a good fit for couples looking for virtual sessions and who value working with a diverse team with various sub-specialities in addition to infidelity.
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Start by booking a free consultation call directly through our website. In this free, no-obligation call, we’ll discuss your situation, answer any questions you may have, and decide whether we’re a good fit. From here, we can set you up with your first initial session.