Recovery from relationships that have suffered chronic resentment, anger, deceit, or emotional abuse can be fraught with confusing emotions and temporary setbacks. It can be hard to know if you’re making progress.

Two pairs of factors determine the success or failure of the recovery process. The first pair is value and compassion.

Expressions of value include appreciation, affection, kindness, and support.

Compassion is caring when partners feel bad or suffer hardship, with a motivation to help.

The opposing pair of factors are resentment and contempt, in which you see your partner as unfair, demanding, needy,........

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