what is emotional infidelity

Emotional infidelity refers to a type of relationship between two people that mimics or matches the closeness and emotional intimacy of a romantic relationship while not being physically consummated. It is a particular type of secretive, sustained closeness with someone who isnt your primary partner. Emotional cheating is a type of infidelity where one partner shares emotional intimacy and connection with someone other than their partner. Emotional affairs may emerge from a friendship and progress toward greater levels of personal intimacy and attachment, and neither sexual intercourse nor physical affection is necessary to affect the committed relationship(s) of those involved in the affair. Emotional cheating can injure a committed relationship more than a one-night stand or other casual sexual encounters. Emotional infidelity can be a reaction to separate injury in the relationship and can be utilized to resolve the injury and heal the primary relationship. It is worth noting that emotional cheating is not always about a sexual encounter, secret flirtation, or online erotic event, but fundamentally, it's about breaching trust.