As therapists, we often sit with people during some of their most vulnerable and painful moments, moments they may never share publicly. That’s why the recent headlines about Andy Byron and the very public exposure of infidelity have struck a chord. Not because public figures make mistakes but  because these moments often trigger private pain in people we care about, and we may never even know.

When stories of betrayal make their way into the spotlight, it’s easy to react with judgment, gossip, or jokes. But what if someone you love is quietly grieving a similar betrayal? What if a friend, a coworker, a sibling, or even your partner is carrying the weight of having been cheated on or is still deciding whether to stay or go?

Infidelity isn’t just a storyline. For the people who live it, it can feel like the ground beneath them has given way. There is a kind of grief that comes with betrayal; the loss of trust, the loss of the imagined future, and often a deep questioning of one’s own worth and choices. And it’s rarely black and white. People stay, people leave, people heal, people break. None of it is simple.

We’re not here to defend the person who caused harm. But we are here to invite a little more awareness: when a story like this breaks, it’s not just news it’s a mirror for many, and sometimes a wound is reopened. So before sharing a meme, a joke, or a hot take, consider who might be hurting quietly nearby.

Empathy means remembering that we rarely see the full picture of someone’s relationship from the outside. It means offering support rather than speculation, and creating space for people to share their stories if and when they’re ready. And most of all, it means honoring the pain of those who didn’t choose to be part of the story, but are left to carry the consequences.

Let’s be gentle with each other.