by "Rosalea," a Psychic Advisor on Keen*

Emotional infidelity is an indiscretion of the mind and heart, not of the flesh. It is an emotional romance that is not physically consummated. It involves all shades of grey and defies strict definition … but the effects of emotional infidelity can be as devastating as those of the physical sexual type.

These types of liaisons usually begin innocently. Two people connect on the internet or through a long-term friendship. As the friendship develops, trust grows. This is a natural development, as we are social creatures, and there is nothing inherently wrong with maintaining opposite-sex friendships while you are in a romantic relationship with someone else. Some of these types of friendships actually enrich a relationship by providing insight into how members of the opposite sex think, communicate and behave. The key, however, is that these friendships need to bolster, not undermine, your union in order to be a healthy addition to your relationship.

Casual friendships cross the line when they become a real threat to a relationship. Clear red flags include friendships in secrecy, those fueled by strong sexual attraction, or the consistent revelation of emotions, thoughts or feelings that you are unwilling to share with your loved one. When that happens, it indicates that the friendship is becoming more intimate than your relationship, and then it becomes dangerous. Another clear sign emerges when discussing problems in the primary relationship becomes the focus of the friendship. If the friend has no vested interest in the health of the marriage, or if the spouse would perceive such discussions as a betrayal of trust, then the friendship is going beyond the limits of acceptability. If you air your dirty laundry, criticize your mate and share intimate secrets, then you are conveying potential availability.

*From the blog of "Rosalea," a Psychic Advisor on Keen