11 Ways Your Partner Is The One Even Though They’ve Cheated Or Broken Your Trust

Once there's been a betrayal of trust in your relationship, it'll be important to ask yourself if you're willing to move past it. "If your partner has cheated on you, your biggest challenge is to look at yourself, not your partner," clinical psychologist Dr. Josh Klapow, tells Bustle. "What do you want? Where do you think your life needs to be? That must be done first. If the picture you paint in your head includes your partner, then it is worth considering moving forward."

While betrayals of trust can make you questions things, it's a good sign if you still have love for each other — even if others are urging you to move on. "Just because your friends and family tell you to leave doesn’t mean you have to," says Herring. "If this is someone you love and you both agree that you want to work it out, it’s worth seeing if you can fix things."

You should, however, take other people's opinions into account, since they likely have your best interests at heart, as well as an outside perspective. And if they are warning you that the situation may be toxic or unsafe, it may be best to listen and seek support in leaving the relationship.

Has your partner had a major breakthrough since they betrayed your trust? Have they given you a sincere apology and have made an active, ongoing effort to change their ways? If so, it could be one way to know a long-term relationship is still possible.

"[N]ot all people learn from [their] mistakes and change their behavior," certified counselor Jonathan Bennett tells Bustle. "If your partner has broken your trust, but has truly changed and proven that change is lasting, [they] could still be 'The One.'"

It's also a great sign if your partner is taking full responsibility for their actions because this can show that they're making changes. "When many people cheat, they make excuses and are only upset when they are caught," Bennett says. "However, if your partner broke trust, but came clean, took responsibility, and has been living in honesty and trust ever since, it shows good faith for the future."

In order to rebuild trust, and have a long-term relationship, you'll have to work on your communication skills as a couple. "If you are able to establish trust and have open communication, it is possible to move past cheating," therapist Kimberly Hershenson, LMSW tells Bustle. So, take it as a great sign if you both feel comfortable chatting about what happened, and being more open with each other in general. If your partner is going out of their way to be more transparent with you, take it as an indication that they are trying to atone for their actions.

While your partner may have had a lapse in judgment, do you strongly believe they share your values now? As therapist Irene Schreiner, LMFT tells Bustle, if your partner generally shares your views and values, it is a good sign you're compatible, despite your partner's actions, and could also be an indication that you will be able to work things out.

In some circumstances, therapy is often necessary following an infidelity, or other breach of trust. So if it's something you want to do, take it as a great sign if your significant other is willing to commit to the process of therapy.

"Investing time and money in therapy indicates that your partner is committed to doing something different," says Herring. "Therapy can help you and your partner figure out why the affair happened and how to prevent it from happening again." With professional help, you will be better able to navigate the recent breach in trust, learn form it, and grow as a potentially stronger couple.

You're likely going to struggle with questions and leftover feelings of doubt about your relationship after a partner has broken your trust, so it's important to be with someone who validates all those emotions. As Hershenson says, "It’s important your partner doesn’t shut down your feelings and makes it easy for you to express your emotions." If they let you vent, answer any questions you might have, and give you plenty of space as your relationship adjusts, they're likely a keeper.

Hershenson says accountability is another trait to look for in a long-term partner — especially after cheating has occurred. Do they show up when they say they'll show up? Or call when they say they'll call? If so, this shows your partner respects you and your relationship, and is willing to be the type of partner you'd like to be with long-term.

"While it's true that when a relationship is not in a good place people are more susceptible to cheating, the majority of the reasons that people cheat have to do with them," says Schreiner. So make sure your partner is taking steps to figure out and fix whatever led to breaking your trust in the first place. That way, you can rest assured it won't be likely to happen again.

When your partner cheats, it's usually because of an issue they grappled with in the relationship, Stef Safran, Chicago-based dating expert at StefandtheCity.com, tells Bustle. "If you are able to discuss your issues and understand what went wrong, your relationship can be stronger than ever. Sometimes cheating can make you deal with the issues that you had kept hidden."

By supporting each other, and rebuilding trust, you certainly can stay with someone, even after a major breach of trust. If this person feels like "The One," and they are going above and beyond to rebuild trust and your relationship, experts say there is still a fighting chance.