BROKEN BONDS

A Structured Group for Men Navigating Betrayal

Broken Bonds is a clinician-facilitated psychoeducational group incorporating therapeutic processing for men who have experienced betrayal within a marriage or committed romantic relationship.

Grounded in the principles of Research for Betrayed Men, Broken Bonds centers on the biological, psychological, and individual realities of men's betrayal experiences. The curriculum examines the intersections of, and potential conflicts between, biological nature, cognitive understandings, and societal expectations.

Each man's betrayal experience is unique. However, biological and psychological processes inherent to the human condition provide important foundations for understanding these experiences.

Broken Bonds offers opportunities for education, thoughtful inquiry, meaningful discussion, and continued processing. The program does not prescribe relationship outcomes, promote formulas for recovery, or promise healing through predetermined steps.

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About Broken Bonds

Betrayal within a committed relationship can affect fundamental beliefs and assumptions concerning oneself, one's partner, the relationship, and the future.

For many men, the consequences extend beyond conscious thoughts and feelings. Betrayal may involve complex biological, psychological, cognitive, and autonomic experiences that cannot be adequately understood through intellectual reasoning alone.

A man may cognitively understand what has occurred while continuing to experience powerful physiological reactions, conflicting thoughts, and difficulties reconciling his present realities with previously held beliefs.

Broken Bonds approaches these experiences through the biological and psychological sciences, with particular attention to relationship investment, personality and individual differences, core beliefs, unconscious processes, and the relationship between cognition and biology.

The group emphasizes understanding experiences and realities before attempting to process them. Rather than applying a prefabricated model, participants are encouraged to examine information, consider meaningful questions, and develop a greater understanding of their individual circumstances.

There are no formulas or shortcuts to working through betrayal. Understanding and processing are ongoing, individualized endeavors.

Who Is Broken Bonds For?

Broken Bonds is intended for men who have experienced betrayal within a marriage. Group members may be navigating a recent discovery, confronting ongoing uncertainty, or continuing to process experiences and realities that have developed over time. Participation is not dependent on whether you remain in the relationship.

The group may be appropriate for men who:

Seek a deeper understanding of the biological and psychological dimensions of betrayal.
Experience conflicts between what they cognitively understand and what they continue to experience emotionally or physiologically.
Are examining changes in core beliefs, fundamental assumptions, trust, or relationship investment.
Want to better understand the influence of personality, individual differences, and personal circumstances on their experiences.
Value clinically informed education, thoughtful inquiry, and discussion with men who have experienced betrayal.
Want opportunities to process their experiences without being directed toward reconciliation, separation, forgiveness, or any other predetermined outcome.

Prospective group members complete a preliminary screening process to help determine whether the group is appropriate for their individual circumstances and support needs.

What You'll Learn

The Broken Bonds curriculum examines interconnected biological, psychological, and individual dimensions of betrayal.

Biological Realities and Men's Betrayal Experiences

Explore biological and psychological processes associated with betrayal, including physiological responses, autonomic reactions, and the potential influence of biological bonding and relationship investment. The curriculum considers how these processes may interact with conscious thoughts, emotions, and personal experiences.

Core Beliefs and Fundamental Assumptions

Examine beliefs and assumptions concerning oneself, one's partner, commitment, fidelity, and the relationship. Particular attention is given to how betrayal may disrupt established understandings and create conflicts between previously held beliefs and newly discovered realities.

Cognitive Understandings and Autonomic Reactions

Explore the relationship between conscious cognition and unconscious or automatic processes. Understanding what has occurred does not necessarily eliminate associated physiological or emotional responses. The curriculum examines why these experiences may persist and how greater understanding can inform continued processing.

Societal Normatives and Male Role Expectations

Consider how cultural expectations, social narratives, and conventional assumptions about men and relationships may influence the interpretation of betrayal experiences. The curriculum encourages examination of these perspectives alongside relevant biological and psychological research.

Personality and Individual Differences

Examine how personality, individual history, relationship investment, and personal circumstances contribute to the uniqueness of each man's betrayal experience. Although common biological and psychological processes may be relevant, no two individuals experience or process betrayal in precisely the same way.

Continued Processing and Moving Forward

Explore the ongoing work of understanding and processing betrayal experiences and realities. The group does not define successful participation through forgiveness, reconciliation, separation, or the restoration of a particular relationship. Instead, participants are encouraged to consider their individual circumstances, evolving understandings, and possible next steps.

Group Structure and Formats

Broken Bonds follows a structured, 12-hour curriculum incorporating psychological education, facilitated discussion, thoughtful inquiry, and therapeutic processing. Two group formats are planned.

Structured Group Series

12 sessions | 1 hour per session

The structured series presents the curriculum across twelve meetings, allowing participants opportunities for reflection, discussion, and continued consideration of the material between sessions.

Intensive Group Experience

2 sessions | 6 hours per session

The intensive format presents the same core curriculum through two extended meetings, providing a more concentrated educational and group-processing experience.

Both formats follow the same foundational principles. The pacing, scheduling, and opportunities for discussion may differ.

In-person and virtual participation options are planned. Availability, scheduling, and participation fees will be provided following an initial inquiry.

Meet the Facilitator

Michael Hoye, MS, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor | Co-Founder, Research for Betrayed Men

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Michael Hoye is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Calvert + Associates and a co-founder of Research for Betrayed Men, an initiative dedicated to advancing research, understanding, and educational resources concerning men's experiences of betrayal.

His clinical work includes attention to the psychological and relational consequences of betrayal, attachment and relationship dynamics, and the interaction between biological and psychological processes.

As the facilitator of Broken Bonds, Michael emphasizes attentiveness, thoughtful inquiry, and the presentation of information grounded in psychological science.

His approach recognizes that men's betrayal experiences are profoundly individual and cannot be adequately addressed through universal formulas or predetermined recovery models.

Rather than directing participants toward particular interpretations or decisions, Michael seeks to facilitate understanding, meaningful discussion, and continued processing of individual experiences and realities.

How to Get Started

Step 1 — Express Interest

Complete the brief Broken Bonds Interest & Availability Form to indicate your interest in participating. The form collects basic contact information and general scheduling preferences. Detailed personal or clinical information is not required at this stage. Submitting an inquiry does not guarantee enrollment, establish a therapeutic relationship, or create an obligation to participate.

Step 2 — Receive Additional Information

Following your inquiry, you may receive information about anticipated group formats, scheduling, availability, participation fees, and the next steps in the screening process.

Step 3 — Complete a Confidential Screening Process

Prospective participants may be invited to complete a more detailed questionnaire through a secure clinical platform. This process helps assess individual circumstances, clinical appropriateness, and potential group placement.

Step 4 — Group Placement and Enrollment

Following screening, eligible participants may be offered placement in an available group or provided with information about future opportunities.

Privacy and Important Information

Initial inquiries collect only the information necessary to respond to your interest and understand general participation preferences. Please do not include sensitive relationship details, medical information, or personal clinical history in your initial inquiry. Additional clinical information, when appropriate, will be requested separately through a secure screening process.

Broken Bonds is not an emergency or crisis service. Individuals experiencing an immediate mental health crisis should seek appropriate emergency support. In the United States, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by calling or texting 988.

Program details, scheduling, and availability are subject to confirmation.