Trust is the foundation of any relationship, and when it’s shaken, it can leave everything else in question. A husband-to-be was blindsided when his girlfriend suggested they seek couples therapy, only to later discover that their “therapist” wasn’t even a licensed professional.
Instead, it was one of her friends, acting with the intention of “fixing” him without his knowledge. What started as an effort to improve their bond quickly turned into a betrayal that left him questioning everything.
After weeks of feeling scrutinized and manipulated, the truth finally came out in a shocking moment of realization. Now, he’s torn between his anger at the deceit and the love he still feels for her. Keep reading to see whether his reaction is justified or if he’s letting his emotions get the best of him.
What began as a seemingly innocent attempt to improve their relationship through therapy quickly spiraled into a nightmare of lies and emotional manipulation
At some point in many relationships, the pain of betrayal goes beyond just the event itself. It’s not only about the lie or the mistake, but about how the person we trust can, in an instant, undermine that trust through manipulation.
This situation wasn’t a simple misunderstanding, it was a deep breach of emotional safety and trust, and the OP’s anger is completely justified.
In this case, the OP wasn’t just dealing with a failed therapy session or a disagreement about methods. He was deceived into thinking his relationship problems were being addressed by a licensed therapist when, in fact, he was being manipulated by Emma and her friend, who posed as a therapist.
This wasn’t a minor mistake, it was a well-thought-out strategy to control the narrative of the relationship. The OP wasn’t just made to feel like he was the problem; he was made to question his own reality, which is the core of gaslighting.
Gaslighting, according to Psychology Today, is a form of psychological manipulation that makes the victim doubt their own perception, memory, or reality.
In this case, the OP was made to feel like he was at fault in the relationship, despite his genuine attempts to work through the issues. The result was confusion, emotional distress, and ultimately, a deep sense of betrayal.
Verywell Mind further explains how betrayal in any form, whether emotional, physical, or psychological, can cause significant harm to trust and emotional well-being.
In this case, the OP’s feeling of betrayal was compounded by the fact that therapy, a space meant for vulnerability and healing, was hijacked for manipulation. Therapy is meant to provide support and growth, not to be used as a tool for deception and control.
So, was the OP wrong for blowing up at Emma when he found out the truth? No, not at all. His anger is rooted in deep emotional pain. He wasn’t just angry at a mistake, he was angry at being manipulated, lied to, and emotionally undermined by someone he trusted.
Emma’s actions weren’t just misguided; they were a deliberate effort to control the situation, and the OP was left to process that betrayal alone.
The realistic takeaway here is that the OP’s emotional response, while intense, is completely understandable. Betrayal, especially in a relationship that seemed stable and happy, is deeply hurtful. While Emma might have had good intentions, the way she executed them was emotionally damaging.
Moving forward, the OP deserves validation for his feelings, and the healing process will require Emma to take full responsibility for her actions, demonstrate genuine accountability, and begin to rebuild trust.
Trust, once broken, requires time, communication, and mutual effort to repair. The OP’s anger isn’t just a reaction to the “prank” gone wrong, it’s a reflection of the emotional damage caused by feeling manipulated, gaslighted, and betrayed.
Rebuilding this relationship, if the OP chooses to, will require both partners to be honest, clear, and open about their intentions and feelings.
Take a look at the comments from fellow users:
These commenters urged legal action against “Lily” for practicing without a license and manipulating the OP into trusting a false therapist
This group strongly recommended cutting ties with the girlfriend and reporting Lily, highlighting the manipulation and betrayal as serious breaches of trust
Can a relationship survive after this level of deceit? Is it possible to rebuild trust after someone pretends to be a therapist for months, manipulating you under the guise of “helping”? Share your thoughts, would you be able to move past something like this, or would it be the end of the road?
