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It can be very stressful (and even a little scary) if you think your boyfriend isn’t being honest with you. If he’s been spending more time on his phone lately or shutting off his computer when you come in the room, you might be suspicious that he’s on dating sites behind your back. That’s why we’ve listed a few ways you can find that out for sure, as well as some steps to help repair your relationship after a breach of trust.

1

Enter his info into a cheating app.

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3

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5

Check his phone.

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  1. If you have a spare moment with his phone, search through his apps for sites like Bumble, Tinder, Match, or Hinge. If you find any of these on his phone, it means he’s most likely been using them (or at least hasn’t deleted them yet).
    • If he tries to deny that he’s used the apps recently, head into “Settings” and click on “Screen Time.” From there, you can see how long he’s spent on each application on his phone in the past few days.
    • Keep in mind that checking his phone is a breach of privacy, and it could negatively impact your relationship.
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7

Talk to your boyfriend directly.

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  1. If you think your boyfriend is using dating apps but you aren’t sure, sit down with him and talk about your concerns. Hopefully, he can quell your fears and prove to you that he’s being faithful. [4]
    • Say something like, “Honey, could we talk? I’ve been feeling a little anxious lately, and I’m concerned that you’re back on dating sites.”
    • Then, you might say, “I want to trust you completely, but I’m having some doubts. Could you reassure me that you’re being faithful?”
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8

Listen to your boyfriend.

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  1. He might have an explanation for any shady behavior you’ve been witnessing, so try not to judge him for what he says. Assume that he’s telling you the truth (unless he has a history of lying) to move forward and resolve this issue. [5]
    • Experts note that letting your partner talk without judgement is one of the first steps toward Deal-With-Betrayal|healing after a betrayal.
    • If your BF does have a history of lying , it’s a good idea to get a mental health professional involved. They can help your boyfriend determine why he keeps lying and what might get him to tell the truth.
9

Work through your feelings around past trauma.

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  1. When we’re cheated on, it can take a long time to recover and trust someone fully again (even if they’re not the one who cheated on us). Make sure to acknowledge your feelings, and try to challenge them if you know they aren’t true. [6]
    • In your mind, you might say something like, “Yes, I’ve been cheated on in the past, but that doesn’t mean that everyone is a cheater.”
    • If your current boyfriend is the one who’s cheated on you in the past, it’s no wonder why you’d be feeling mistrustful. If that’s the case, you may want to try couple’s counseling.
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10

Work on building trust in the relationship.

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  1. [7] If you know you have trust issues and you’d like to work on them, you need to first acknowledge your own feelings, and then talk to your partner about what’s going on. Then, you can challenge all of your mistrustful thoughts with questions like, “What evidence do I have that this thought is true?” [8]
    • For instance, if you start thinking that your boyfriend is going behind your back again, you might ask yourself, “Do I know this, or am I assuming this?”
11

Go to a couple’s counselor if you need to.

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  1. If you’re still not convinced that your boyfriend is telling the truth or you can’t move past your uneasy feelings, make an appointment with a professional. They can give you coping mechanisms and specific things to try in your relationship to make it work. [9] [10]
    • Keep in mind that if your boyfriend is on dating sites, you’re under no obligation to stay with him if you don’t want to. Logging onto a dating site is a huge breach of trust, and many would consider it cheating .
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Rebuild Trust After Infidelity with this Expert Series

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you overcome communication problems in a relationship?
    Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
    Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor
    Rebecca Tenzer is the owner and head clinician at Astute Counseling Services, a private counseling practice in Chicago, Illinois. With over 18 years of clinical and educational experience in the field of mental health, Rebecca specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, panic, trauma, grief, interpersonal relationships using a combination of Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, and other evidence-based practices. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology and Anthropology from DePauw University, a Master in Teaching (MAT) from Dominican University, and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Chicago. Rebecca has served as a member of the AmeriCorps and is also a Professor of Psychology at the collegiate level. Rebecca is trained as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT), a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), a Certified Grief Counseling Specialist (CGCS), a Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP), and a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP). Rebecca is also a member of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Society of America and The National Association of Social Workers.
    Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor
    Expert Answer
    Set aside time each week for a "relationship check-in." At this time, discuss some thoughtful questions with your partner, like "How are we feeling about our relationship today?" or "Is there any unfinished business from last week that we need to address?"
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      1. Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP. Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor. Expert Interview. 19 August 2020.

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