Thriving after discovering your partner's infidelity, betrayal, sex or porn addiction, or other deceptive sexual behaviours.
Welcome to Beyond Betrayal
Have you discovered your partner has been cheating and telling lies? Maybe he’s been seeing sex workers? Or visiting strip clubs? Or meeting women on dating apps? Does he watch porn and masturbate in secret? Is your intuition telling you he is not being honest? Are you wondering if your partner is a sex or porn addict? If so, you’re in the right place. I am a counsellor for women who have experienced betrayal by their partners.
You are never ready for the pain of discovering the person you love has lied and deceived you. It could also be cheating, an affair or affairs, sex and/or porn addiction or other deceptive sexual behaviours. You probably went into shock. You felt your heart thumping wildly in your chest. You felt sick. At the same time, you hope what you’ve seen or heard is not real! It turns your whole world upside down. You don’t know what to do or who to turn to for help. You struggle to function, eat or sleep; but you keep going on autopilot as you have family or work commitments. Your head is going crazy trying to piece it all together.
Or perhaps you’ve left the relationship but find you’re still struggling. You are trying to rebuild your life and find a way forward. But some days it can feel like a burden you will carry forever.
For anyone who has felt this pain, know you are not alone, and you can get through this. You deserve a chance to heal.
My name is Madonna, and I really do get what you’re going through. Working throughout Australia and New Zealand, online or in person at St Kilda or Altona, Melbourne, I help women heal, recover and thrive. If you are seeking counselling and support, please reach out to me because I know how hard and lonely it is to be where you are now.

FROM DISCOVERY TO SURVIVAL AND THRIVING
Early days after discovery
When you discover you’ve been betrayed, it feels like the relationship you thought you had never existed. You wonder, who is this person who says he loves you? The journey to recovery from betrayal can be one of the toughest challenges you’ll face. Lies, manipulation, gaslighting, shattered trust, defensiveness, minimization—the list goes on. You can feel very alone and very angry. You’re confused about what to do. It’s hard to make sense of it all. You also wonder if you should end the relationship.
Can You Make The Relationship Work?
Time has passed since that gut-wrenching moment when you discovered your partner’s secret sexual life. The initial shock of discovery has become a painful ache in your chest and you’re feeling anger and grief. But you’re not ready to give up on this relationship yet. You think you want to make this work. You’re trying to piece together a life that feels authentic and true.
Rediscovering yourself – a new chapter of your life
Maybe you’ve decided to work on the relationship. Or perhaps you’ve walked away, feeling the weight of divorce and single parenthood on your shoulders. Either way, it’s not what you signed up for. Beneath the layers of hurt, you’re on a quest to rediscover yourself. Who are you when the foundation of your reality has crumbled? The years spent trying to make things work without knowing the full truth have left their mark. Your self-worth feels very fragile, as does your ability to trust.”
Counselling Services
Individual Counselling
Counselling gives you the opportunity to share your burden and lighten your load. Even on days when you feel tired, lost and so over it all and don't know how you're going to survive, I'm here to support you through your tears, anger and grief.
As a counsellor, I am committed to creating a safe, confidential and supportive environment to help you restore safety and take back control of your life. I work from a person-centered approach and together, we can find the tools and develop a plan that will move you towards healing and a sense of hope and future.
Full Therapeutic Disclosure
A FTD provides a solid foundation for rebuilding your relationship. FTD can also help you make sense of what happened in the relationship if your relationship is ending or has ended.
FTD is by nature a complex process and is best handled with professionals who have been trained in knowing how to walk couples through this process.
I am able to guide and support you through this challenging process. Phase One and Two therapeutic disclosure packages are available - email me for details.
Support Groups
Healing within a small group of women with similar experiences can be powerful and transformative.
Imagine being in a supportive and understanding environment where you can share your story (only if you feel ready) and ask questions to gain valuable insights from others who have walked a similar path.
Group therapy can also be an option for those with financial constraints.
Online group therapy sessions will begin in 2025 - send me an email to enquire.
About Me
I’m Madonna, a counsellor for women who have discovered their partner has been cheating, having or had an affair, is using porn to the point of addiction, or is a sex addict.
How did I become a betrayal trauma counsellor for women?
From the very beginning of my counselling career, I focused on counselling and supporting women. While I was looking for a specialised area to niche my private practice, I discovered my husband’s sex addiction. This led me to becoming a betrayal trauma specialist, training through APSATS (The Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists) in America.
Like most betrayed women upon discovery, I felt very lost and alone and didn’t know who to turn to for help. I made sure my husband was getting therapy and didn’t realise that I needed help just as much. I eventually found an APSATS counsellor who had also experienced betrayal and specialised in betrayal trauma, which I had never heard of before. Finding a counsellor who had similar experiences to me was important, as I needed someone who would validate my feelings and understand my hurt. No one gets it like someone who’s been through it, is so, so true. There’s no need to justify crazy thoughts or explain the overwhelming feelings because a counsellor who has had similar experiences will understand and has been where you are now. Or close to it.
Counselling betrayed women is my specialty. I know how hard it is to speak about your partner’s cheating, affairs, pornography, or sex addiction. You feel so much shame and don’t want to tell anyone. You can even blame yourself! “If only I hadn’t………” does this sound familiar?
What brings meaning to my work is witnessing the profound change that occurs when a vulnerable betrayed woman trusts the process and does the work to discover her authentic self. Together we work to help you grieve, process, heal and thrive! As Brene Brown says: “We don’t have to do it all alone, we were never meant to”.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor of Counselling, Christchurch NZ
APSATS Certified Clinical Partner Specialist – Candidate (CCPS-C)
SASA Full Therapeutic Disclosure
Australian Counselling Association Member No: 25651
PACFA Reg Certified Practicing No. 30981
Cert IV Training & Assessment

What is the difference between an APSATS counsellor and other counsellors?
The Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists – APSATS is the only institute in the world to train partner-sensitive counsellors and coaches that understand the depths of your pain, emotional swings, trauma and betrayal. They provide you with psychoeducation, therapeutic support and coaching to get you through this very difficult time. APSATS counsellors follow the MPTM (Multidimensional Partner Trauma Model) which is based on research that shows that the betrayed partner has experienced great trauma as a result of the trauma of discovery. This treatment model addresses this trauma. Working with a certified APSATS counsellor assures the betrayed partner will get guidance regarding her current safety and assistance with her mental health needs.
Health Fund Rebates
Private Health Insurance rebates for counselling are available for the following:
Police Health, Phoenix Health, CUA Health (Telehealth only), St Luke’s Health, Emergency Services Health, Westfund, Teachers Union Health, GMHBA, AIA and BUPA.
Beyond Betrayal is not able to provide services through the Government-sponsored Mental Health Care Plan. My fees for Counselling are comparable to the out-of-pocket gap payment for most psychological therapies after the Medicare rebate has been paid. It would also be very difficult to find a psychologist trained as an APSATS clinician.
Fees
Telephone chat (10 minutes): $0
Initial assessment (allow up to 1hr 15 mins): $197.00
Weekly sessions (50 mins): $157.00
Full therapeutic Disclosure packages – email me for details
How long will I see you for?
Most clients benefit from therapy for some months, as the healing process after betrayal can take time. Weekly therapy is recommended for at least the first 6 weeks.
How do I pay?
Payment is to be made by bank transfer. An invoice will be sent after your counselling appointment and payment to be made on receipt of the invoice.
What is your cancellation policy?
I request 24 hours notice from the counselling appointment start time for cancellation, otherwise you may be charged the full fee.
Latest Blog Posts

Why your partner should see a CSAT
The difference between a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) and other therapists.

How to cope with betrayal trauma triggers.
Simple steps you can take NOW to cope with betrayal trauma triggers.

Boundaries and why they are SO important.
Boundaries communicate what is okay and what is not okay in your relationship.
Get in Touch
- 0418 583 240
- counselling@beyondbetrayal.com.au
- Melbourne, Australia