Discernment counseling may be helpful if:
- One partner is considering separation or divorce.
- You feel stuck in uncertainty about your relationship.
- You and your partner want different things from therapy.
- You are unsure whether the relationship can be repaired.
- You want greater clarity before beginning couples therapy or making a major decision.
Discernment counseling is not couples therapy and is not intended to persuade either partner to stay or leave. Its purpose is to support greater clarity, honesty, and intentional decision-making.
Discernment Counseling
Discernment counseling is a brief, structured process for couples who feel uncertain about the future of their relationship. It is designed for couples in which one partner is leaning toward ending the relationship while the other wants to continue—or when both partners feel unsure about what to do next.
The goal is not to solve relationship problems or make an immediate decision. Instead, discernment counseling creates space to slow down, gain clarity, and better understand the relationship’s patterns, challenges, and possibilities.
Together, we consider three paths: continuing the relationship as it is, moving toward separation or divorce, or committing to a focused period of couples therapy to re-evaluate.
Discernment counseling typically consists of five sessions.
Each partner has an opportunity to reflect on their experience privately as well as together. This process can help you make a thoughtful decision rather than moving forward from a place of fear, pressure, or confusion.
Check out video below to learn more: