I have seen many affairs in my practice and have helped many people move past their trauma to find success and happiness again in their marriage. Here are examples of different types of affairs a person may have. 

Serial Infidelity - This often involves a pattern of one-night stands, multiple affairs, or frequent visits to prostitutes, with no emotional attachment to the partners. These infidelities may continue for years within the marriage. While the affairs themselves may not be significant, the behavior is. A person who engages in serial affairs is considered a high-risk partner (Peluso 2007). 

The Fling: This type of affair usually lacks an emotional connection with the lover. For some individuals, it may be a single fling or a few during the course of their marriage. People involved in flings typically believe that these encounters won't interfere with their married life. The idea that the risk of being discovered is low (Peluso 2007). 

Romantic - There are affairs that become romantic where it satisfies a desire to feel close and a mutal interest of feeling connected. Romantic affairs are the biggest threat to a marriage. Usually, the person having the affair will have to decide if they would like to continue the romantic relationship or repair their marriage. It's often difficult for the injured person to see their partner go through the grief of losing their romantic lover (Pelusos 2007). 

Long-Term Affairs - Sometimes, people have long-term affairs. The person having an affair may struggle to make a decision to end the relationship, often due to ambivalence (Pelusos 2007). The affair may go on for years without the other partner knowing. 

Peluso, P. R. (Ed.). (2007). Infidelity: A practitioner’s guide to working with couples in crisis. Routledge.

If you are struggling and would like assistance, please feel free to contact me or another Clinical Psychologist who works specifically with couples concerns and offers counselling and psychotherapy services. My office is located in Vaughan, Ontario.