PERSONAL LIFE

Linda grew up in an alcoholic home, where alcohol often seemed like a rival for her father’s devotion to his wife and children. Her parents loved each other and remained married, but his addiction damaged both their family life and his health; he died at only 54. Watching an outside attachment intrude upon an otherwise loving marriage may have planted some of the earliest seeds of Linda’s interest in helping couples recover from infidelity.

About halfway through her career as an Infidelity Specialist, Linda experienced betrayal firsthand when her own husband fell in love with a woman at work. After two painful years, he chose divorce. Linda was devastated. She wondered whether her life was over, her family irretrievably broken, and even whether she could continue the work she had devoted her career to.

Instead, that experience deepened and reshaped her calling.

It strengthened her determination to help couples save marriages damaged by affairs—especially after seeing how often unfaithful spouses who genuinely wanted to repair their marriages unknowingly sabotaged their efforts. That insight eventually led to her first book, How to Help Your Spouse Heal From Your Affair.

Her own recovery also revealed how little many therapists at the time understood betrayal trauma. Linda pursued further training in trauma treatment and became a strong advocate for trauma-informed care for those suffering the emotional and physical effects of relational betrayal.

Most importantly, she gained a profound compassion for the betrayed and abandoned. She now understood firsthand the trauma, grief, spiritual confusion, and loss that can follow when a spouse leaves after an affair. Over the years that followed, she continued studying infidelity, trauma, and recovery while helping others navigate the same difficult road.

Linda retired from clinical practice at age 69 to devote more time to writing. Her own journey inspired Redeeming the Post-Affair Divorce: Heal Your Life, Restore Your Faith After Infidelity Breaks Up Your Marriage—the book she wishes she had possessed during her own darkest years. Because faith and small-group support were so important to her healing, she also created the accompanying Redeeming the Post-Affair Divorce Workbook.

Today, when she isn’t writing, Linda enjoys long walks with Dan, her husband of twenty-two years, time with their adult children and eight grandchildren, camping and hiking around Mt. Rainier, and coffee with friends. She also loves decorating, reading good books, and discussing theology with her recently retired pastor husband.

To keep up with Linda’s podcasts, books, and future publications, sign up for her occasional newsletter through the Contact page or the form below. 

TRAININGS

Below is a list of workshops, intensives, and trainings Linda has attended to enrich her skills in working with couples and individuals impacted by infidelity:

• “Love, Sex and Betrayal: Treating the Crisis of Infidelity.”  20-hour Intensive, Presenter: Shirley Glass, Ph.D.
• "Crises in Fidelity and Infidelity," 12-hour workshop. Presenter: Dr. Frank Pittman, III
• "Affairs: Getting the Message."  12-hour workshop. Presenter:  Emily M. Brown, LCSW.
• “Treating Severe Trauma in Adults and Children.” Presenter: Donald Meichenbaum, Ph.D.
• “After the Affair.”  Presenter: Janis Abrahms Spring, Ph.D
• “How Can I Forgive You?”  Presenter:  Janis Abrahms Spring, PhD.
•  “Secrets, Cybersex, Affairs, Addiction—and Forgiveness?” Presenter: Janis Abrahms Spring, PhD.
• “Relationship Infidelity: Avoiding Betrayal and Rebuilding Trust.” Presenter: Dr. Mitch Whitman
• “Couples and Affairs:  Managing the Clinical Challenges.” Presenter: Michael CEO, M.A.
• “Facing the Shadow: Starting Sexual and Relationship Recovery.” Presenter: Patrick Carnes, PhD.
• “Johnson-Gottman Summit.” 12.5-hour workshop. Presenters: John M. Gottman, PhD, Julie Gottman, PhD, Susan Johnson, PhD.
• “The Healing Timeline.” Presenter: Cathy Thorpe, M.A.
• “Lifespan Integration: Beginning Training. Level I.” 14.5-hour Intensive. Presenter: Peggy Pace.
• “Lifespan Integration Advanced Training, Level II.” 14.5-hour Intensive. Presenter: Peggy Pace, MA
• “Lifespan Integration: Level III.” 14.5-hour Intensive. Presenters: Cathy Thorpe & Cindy Wuflestad. 
• “Solving the Key Challenges of Couple Therapy with EFT.” 12-hour workshop. Presenter: Susan Johnson, Ph.D
• “Posttraumatic Growth Workshop.” Presenter: Keith Mayer, MS, LMHC
• “Shame.” Presenter: Sandra Wilson, PhD
• “Narcissism and the System it Breeds.” Presenter: Diane Langberg, Ph.D.
• “Stabilizing Marriages in the First 90 Days After Disclosure of Adultery.” Presenter: David Carder, M.A.
• “Domestic Violence: An Abuse of Power.” Presenter: Leslie Vernick, MSW. 
• "Incest Offender Workshop."  Presenter:  Bill Lennon, M.A.
• "The Difficult Divorce: Therapy with Children & Adults."  Presenter:  Braulio Montalvo, M.A.
• "Special Issues in Treating Abused Children & Adults."  Presenters: Dr. John Briere and Dr. Eliana Gil.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, AWARDS

•  Co-founded three Christian Counseling Centers (Discovery Christian Counseling in Bellingham, Pearl Counseling Associates in Tacoma, and Shepherd’s Center Counseling in Gig Harbor)
• Helped establish Christian Providers of Counseling Services of Whatcom County
• Organized an all-day conference "Resources, Refueling & Restoration" for physicians, pastors, and mental health providers in Bellingham
• Trained Young Life leaders in Whatcom County, 1988 - 1992
• Listed in the 21st Edition of Marquis Who’s Who of American Women, 2000
• Young Life Fundraising Banquet Chair, Bellingham & Gig Harbor, 1989 - 2001
• Member of Adult Committee for Gig Harbor/Peninsula Young Life, 1992 – 2001
• Keynote Speaker, Betrayal Redeemed Conference, Tuff Stuff Ministries, 2008
• Taught Workshops for Betrayal Redeemed Conferences, 2008 - 2017
• Workshop Leader, Restoring Hearts Conferences, 2010 - 2023
• Best of Gig Harbor, Marriage and Family Therapy Award, 2014, 2016
• Recipient of the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, 2019

BELOW ARE SOME OF THE PODCASTS AND SUMMITS LINDA HAS BEEN FEATURED AS A GUEST ON: