Trident Healing Full Disclosure Consent Form

I understand that there are both risks and benefits to voluntarily sharing a disclosure of my problematic sexual behaviors. I also understand that I may reconsider my decision to participate in the professionally-guided disclosure process at any time. I am aware that 3 full hours at my guide’s current rates have been reserved for the day of disclosure, but additional time may be required. (e.g., if disclosure or partner inquiry goes longer, travel time is involved, longer than usual breaks are required, etc). I am also aware that, through the process, my guide will charge the same rate for work conducted in and out of session, and that I will be kept informed of all charges. I acknowledge that the amount of effort I put in will determine how much work my guide needs to do on my behalf. I will work with my guide to understand my partner’s needs and will provide a document that addresses the information she needs to know. In this process, I will be open, transparent, and honest. I further understand that I will follow the guidelines outlined in “Full Disclosure: How to Share the Truth After Sexual Betrayal” by Dan Drake and Janice Caudill.

Potential Benefits.

I have been made aware that a professionally-guided disclosure is considered the standard of care for problematic sexual behavior and partner betrayal trauma recovery. I am also aware of the potential benefits to both me and my significant other, which may include:

Ending the distress of not knowing what behaviors/betrayals were a part of my sexual acting-out history.
Empowering the partner with the truth, thereby increasing their ability to make healthy life and boundary choices based on that truth.
Providing the opportunity for a significant breakthrough of denial may deepen my recovery.
In some cases, setting the stage for gaining a deeper understanding of my truth.

Potential Risks.

I am aware that this process cannot guarantee my relationship will last. I have further been made aware that the potential risks for participating in the professionally guided disclosure may include:

New information I share about my problematic sexual behavior may cause my partner additional stress.
My partner and my relationship may incur additional stress due to disclosing non-sexual information and the cumulative impact of hearing about my full sexual history.
The information shared may cause my partner to question her commitment to the relationship. The reactions of either party to the information may result in either party deciding to end the relationship.

I am aware that the professionals guiding this process and those who may have been involved in preparation cannot guarantee that the written or verbal responses will be honest. It is my responsibility to be open, vulnerable, and honest to the best of my ability. I am aware that due to the denial, deception, and, in some cases, distorted memory that characterizes problematic sexual behavior, the disclosure process may need to be repeated in the future. It is my responsibility to fully engage in this recovery process. I have been informed that disclosures occur on a continuum and the quality and quantity of information shared in the professionally-guided disclosure, the distress associated with the preparation time, and the impact after receiving the disclosure in part depend upon where my partner and I are on the continuum.

Disclosure Protocols.

I have been made aware that I am encouraged to:

Pause the process when my partner needs a time out, which may mean leaving the room or consulting with my guide.
Slow the pace of my reading or repeat portions of the document if my partner is having difficulty understanding the information being reported.
Pause the process to allow my partner to write down clarification questions that may arise during the disclosure and will be asked during the partner inquiry phase.
Practice self-regulation and containment techniques before, during, and after reading the disclosure document to ensure your partner’s experience is not affected by your emotions
My partner will be employing her own techniques for self-regulation.

Prohibitions.

I am aware that no audio/video recording and/or taking pictures will be allowed. I understand that no verbal, physical, or spiritual assaults may be directed at either party or the professional team.

Document Security.

I understand that it is my responsibility to maintain control and security of the disclosure document during the writing process. I am aware that my partner may want to view the disclosure document during the formal disclosure and that I will provide a copy for her to review with her guide after the reading. I am also aware that this copy shall be taken back into my possession once the disclosure process is complete. A written copy will NOT be provided to the partner, except for purposes listed above, on the day of disclosure.

I am aware that it is my responsibility to inform my guide of conditions that may require modification and/or postponement of the professionally-guided disclosure. These may include, but are not limited to:

Plans to hurt myself or someone else
Behaviors that are in opposition to my sexual sobriety (case-by-case management)
Medical conditions that could impact or be negatively impacted by the disclosure process.
NOTE: I am aware the guides reserve the right to require a medical release from your healthcare provider to participate. I am also aware that my signature confirms that I have discussed any medical conditions that may be impacted with my medical provider and made disclosure guides aware of the medical opinion about the wisdom of participating in the disclosure.

I am aware that I will provide my guide with a written before, during, and after coping plan prior to the disclosure and that this plan may need to be amended.

As part of my coping plan, I have considered the following:

My partner or I may choose a specified period apart, before or after the disclosure. An agreement shall be made on means of communication during time apart.
Transportation to/from the location of disclosure. An agreement shall be made in advance of plans to ride/drive together or separately and that this may change during the day of disclosure.
Ongoing contact with support people in your life: sponsor, recovery peers, faith leaders, and emotional support team.
Creating an individualized self-soothing coping plan that I will communicate with my guide. This plan may also include a list of unhealthy behaviors which I agree NOT to utilize.
Scheduling an appointment with my individual and/or couples session provider in the days following full therapeutic disclosure (24-48 hours is recommended).
Providing my partner with my relapse prevention/coping plan if a specified time apart occurs.

In preparation for full disclosure, I will read and complete exercises in “Full Disclosure: How to Share the Truth After Sexual Betrayal”. I will review my partner’s Disclosure Needs Assessment and will present a document that matches her needs to the best of my ability with openness and honesty. I will inform my guides of any new information that comes up during the process.

If I choose to schedule a polygraph either before or after the professionally-guided disclosure, I understand that this service is completely independent from Trident Healing, LLC. It is also understood that Trident Healing, LLC cannot attest to the veracity of the procedure, nor is it responsible for any distress that may result. If you choose to share (recommended) those results with your guide, they can help you address the emotional consequences that may result.

I understand that in order to assist with a more accurate and beneficial experience, the polygraph examiner may wish to have contact with my guide before, during, or after the examination process.
My signature below indicates my consent to the exchange of information with the polygraph examiner and that I have read and agree with the document as a whole.