Estimates show that roughly 30 to 60% of all married individuals (in the United States) will engage in infidelity at some point during their marriage.

Infidelity is the opposite of intimacy, according to Lissa Coffey, author of the book Closure and the Law of Relationship: Endings as New Beginnings.

What’s more, there are three types of infidelity: 1) physical 2) emotional and 3) financial. Physical infidelity is self-explanatory. Emotional infidelity includes office flirtation or online correspondence. Emotional infidelity appeals to the fantasy appeal of the other person. Financial infidelity includes hiding money in secret accounts or spending secretly.

Many marriages can withstand infidelity (of any type) if the couple is willing to reconnect, recommit and repair the relationship—sometimes with the help of a 3rd party. If the marriage can’t withstand the infidelity and restore intimacy, however, there are 5 stages of Closure. They include:  a. Recognition b. Acceptance c. Understanding d. Integration and e. Gratitude. Note step three, understanding, means understanding the event happened, not necessarily why it happened.

Listen to the entire interview below: