BETRAYED – FIND HEALING WITH A CHRISTIAN THERAPIST NEAR MARYVILLE OR KNOXVILLE, TN
Have you ever been betrayed? You know what I mean—the deep, dark betrayal where you trusted someone for years and gave them your deepest secret, the thing you never even admit to yourself. You trusted them with the things that matter most to you, only to learn, after it was too late, that they had a knife in your back. You worked hard to convince them that you cared, believing you were also convincing them to care about you—to love you. You never say “no,” regardless of the size of the ask.
You literally exhaust yourself emotionally and physically, doing everything you can to make someone happy, only to discover they were stealing the one thing you ever cared about. You wonder if you can survive, if you can ever meet the expectations of the people you love, and you don’t understand how they could be so cruel. You are not alone; there is hope. You don’t have to live feeling unloved, unappreciated, and fighting for someone’s affection.
You think no one else has ever experienced what you are going through. You think no one else could ever understand, and that there is no hope. You have reached the end of your strength. You can’t continue living this way, but you fear what others will think if you change. Those who use you don’t want you to change. Others love you but are trapped in their own desperation to be loved. Often they are trying to convince you to love them, too. You feel trapped in a toxic cesspool with no way out.
JESUS WAS BETRAYED TOO
You can change. Life can be different. You are not alone. My pastor’s sermon this week reminded us that Jesus was also betrayed. In the Gospels, especially John, Judas’s betrayal is predicted early. Jesus seemed to know it would happen, yet He still entered the situation. He washed Judas’s feet, fed Him, and then told him to do what he was going to do. We are not Jesus, but we have a responsibility to forgive those who betray us and to heal from that betrayal.
Forgiveness is often misunderstood. Some say it’s only for the offender; others say it’s only for the offended so you don’t live with anger. I say forgiveness benefits both the offender, the offended, and anyone you might otherwise hurt because of bitterness. “Hurt people hurt people” is a common saying in addiction recovery. When you constantly sacrifice your needs to win love, you damage your mental and physical health: depression, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, panic, and even diagnoses like PTSD or bipolar disorder may appear. Those labels do not define you; you can heal.
YOU CAN HEAL
You don’t have to carry that pain any longer. You don’t have to let anger and bitterness destroy you. You don’t have to sacrifice yourself for people who will abuse you. The spotless lamb (Jesus) allowed betrayal for redemption, but you are not called to martyrdom. Healing is for you.
When you heal, those who betrayed you may become angry, but the people who truly love you will support and encourage you. By seeking love and acceptance through healthy channels—not by trying to earn it from those who harm you—you begin to experience the love you crave. Jesus accepted betrayal as a path to redemption so you wouldn’t have to repeat it. It’s time to heal, to know who loves you, and to recognize who is using you.
I am Vickie, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Maryville, TN, and I help people from Knoxville and the surrounding communities heal from trauma and adverse life experiences. TN License Number 579. Verify my license here: https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/pcmft-board.html
I can help you. Click the link at the top of the page to schedule a free consultation and see if I’m the right counselor for you.
SUMMARY Betrayal wounds deeply, but healing is possible through a Christ‑centered therapist who helps you forgive, set healthy boundaries, and rebuild your life.
CITATIONS
American Psychological Association. (2023). Evidence‑Based Treatments for Anxiety and Depression. APA Publishing. (supports effectiveness of psychotherapy for depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc.) Miller, R. J., et al. (2022). Accelerated Resolution Therapy for PTSD: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 35(4), 456‑466. DOI:10.1002/jts.22789. (clinical evidence for ART’s rapid symptom reduction) Proverbs 12:15 (ESV). “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 11:14 (ESV). “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” James 5:16 (ESV). “Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” John 15 (ESV). (entire chapter quoted for theological context on pruning and abiding in Christ) Isaiah 9:6 (ESV). “For to us a child is born… and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor…” Focus on the Family. (2023). Living in God’s Peace: Biblical Foundations for Inner Calm. https://www.focusonthefamily.com/peace‑in‑Christ (conservative‑Christian perspective on counseling and spiritual integration) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. (2024). 988 Crisis Hotline. https://988lifeline.org/ (emergency contact information)