Your friend’s ego has taken a huge hit, according to gender research psychologist Peggy Drexler, Ph.D., in a Psychology Today article titled “After the Affair: The Uncertain Road to Healing.” Affirm her self-worth by reminding her what an awesome person she is. Make your compliments specific to what you know about her, such as her strength under pressure, her skills as a mom or her ability to keep it together for her family. Tell her what an awesome woman she is for continuing to love her husband or how amazed you are that she didn’t kick him to the curb immediately.

Remind your friend to take care of herself during this stressful time, suggest Fahey and Rosenthal. If she is looking a little haggard and sad, resist the impulse to chastise her for not taking care of herself when you can offer to do things with her that are good for her. Offer to go with her on a spa date or take an evening off to see a light-hearted movie. Encourage her not to eat that quart of ice cream or half a cheesecake by herself to feel better -- take a small piece yourself and invite her to share her thoughts with you. Take her to dinner or cook her dinner at your house so she gets some quality nutrition and then take her home early with a reminder to get some sleep.

Her self-image might have taken a hit if her relationship with her husband is a large part of her identity, suggests Drexler. Help her redefine her self-image by pointing out other roles she has that are going well, such as her job or how she cares for her family. Encourage her not to take on the role of a victim, but take control of as much of the situation as she can by determining her response to the affair, getting counseling, confronting her spouse or comforting the kids.

The situation might not look positive today, but she can move forward with her life. Encourage her to make at least one plan to do something she enjoys. Employ humor to help her laugh a little, such as reminding her of a humorous event you experienced together, suggests the Glamour’s article “6 Things That Might Actually Help Comfort a Friend During a Break Up.” Promise you will be there for her and offer to listen when she needs a sympathetic ear.