When a friend is going through infidelity in a teen relationship, it can be difficult to know what to say or do. Offering support and being a good listener can make a difference. If you’re looking for ways to help, here are a few practical ideas and relationship support for teens you can use to support your friend during this difficult time:
Get Professional Help
Involving professionals who understand the dynamics of teen relationships gives your friend a better chance of coping with the situation. Professionals offer a safe space for discussing such matters without judgment. They also offer relationship support for teens and focus on long-term emotional stability. Instead of offering immediate solutions, professionals focus on listening and identifying effective ways to address the betrayal. They can validate, offer solutions, and support your friend in making positive changes.
Encourage Boundary Setting
Due to the complexity of relationships, infidelity doesn’t automatically imply breaking up. The relationship may continue, but boundaries must be set to avoid abuse. Avoid blaming, shaming, or taking sides since you may not fully understand the underlying issues. Encourage open communication and seek professional support to help your friend set healthy boundaries. If the relationship ends, help your friend maintain distance from the ex-partner to heal without further interactions.
Consult a teen relationship support source to help your friend learn how to set boundaries and avoid potentially harmful interactions. Counselors and online resources offer tips that promote positive outlets, such as sports, creative projects, hobbies, and volunteering, to help individuals find healthy ways to cope. Such outlets reduce rumination and help build resilience and self-esteem.
Be Available When Needed
Your presence may be all your friend needs to cope and process infidelity. The betrayal may lead them to experience feelings of depression, anxiety, and thoughts of self-harm, especially if no one is around to provide sound advice and support. Maintain contact with your friend and find out how they’re doing. If your friend feels overwhelmed, provide emotional support and contact professionals for help. If your friend is too overwhelmed to speak, you can provide helpful details during sessions with a counselor or mentor. Watch out for warning signs, such as withdrawal, hopelessness, and self-harm talk, and seek professional help early.
Avoid Rushing Into Decisions
Infidelity stems from complex issues that require careful assessment. As a friend, your first instinct may be to end the relationship or pursue some form of payback. Before offering such advice, take time to understand what your friend wants. They may want to forgive the betrayal or end the relationship.
Your job is to support your friend’s decision and connect them to more experienced adults for professional help. Regardless of how much you know about the relationship, avoid offering conclusive advice. Let your friend come to their own decision, preferably with the help of a responsible adult or trusted counselor.
Get Professional Relationship Support for Teens
Supporting a friend or loved one after they experience betrayal can involve helping them navigate practical next steps and decisions. Infidelity can lead to anger and a desire for revenge, which often exacerbates the situation. Guide your friend toward reliable resources for obtaining help, such as a counselor, therapist, or reputable online platforms.