Today Show Family Therapist: Can Anthony Weiner Save His Marriage?

Anthony Weiner: Therapist Hal Runkel & Sandra Sobieraj Westfall

Anthony Weiner and Huma Abedin have seen their marriage stretched to its breaking point the past few years, with Anthony embroiling himself in controversies over some steamy text messages that he likes to send women. Sandra Sobieraj Westfall, Washington Bureau Chief at People Magazine and family therapist Hal Runkel came on the show today to discuss the controversy and when enough is enough in a marriage.

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Sandra said that she was there last summer when the photo shoot was being done for an article about how Anthony and Huma got past the first infidelity, and she saw a genuine attraction between them then. Before that, thought, Huma initially told her family and friends that she was packing bags and getting ready to leave, unsure on whether or not she was going to stay. Anthony saved the situation by convincing her to go into therapy, so it looks like he really did want to make it all work.

However, instead of disappearing from politics for a little while and letting the heat die down, he decided to place him and his family right back underneath the microscope by running for mayor, which only made this second incident even worse. His recovery now will be infinitely more difficult, and Hal wasn’t even sure the marriage will be able to survive this second infidelity.

Hal did say, though, that when you enter into a marriage with someone, there are going to be some deal breakers involved with it. You can’t go into one expecting it to work out well the whole time. Also, Sandra said that Huma once said that she wouldn’t ever want her child asking her why she never gave her husband another chance.

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As much as second (or even third) chances to someone can set a good example for children, though, you have to wonder if you’re offering second chances or if you’re just enabling. Hal thought that it was very dependant on if you’re going to therapy, if you’re making an effort to work on your issues.

No matter what the reality of this situation may be, Sandra foresaw Weiner disappearing into political oblivion, perhaps bringing his family with him. Hal, however, said that his ethical obligation to his profession prevented him from commenting on the situation.