Discernment Counseling: Finding Clarity in Your Relationship

Are you and your partner feeling uncertain about the future of your relationship? Do you find yourselves on the brink of divorce/break-up but still holding onto the hope of reconciliation? If so, discernment counseling may be the answer you've been searching for.
Discernment counseling is a specialized form of therapy designed specifically for couples who are ambivalent about their relationship. It offers a safe space for both partners to explore their options, gain clarity, and make informed decisions about the future. With the guidance of trained couples counseling experts, discernment counseling helps couples navigate their uncertainties and find a path forward that aligns with their needs and desires.

What is Discernment Counseling?

Discernment counseling is a brief and focused type of couples therapy that aims to help couples who are contemplating divorce or separation. Unlike traditional couples therapy, which focuses on improving communication and resolving conflicts, discernment counseling focuses on helping partners gain clarity about their relationship and explore three possible paths:
  1. Staying as you have been: This option involves accepting the status quo and continuing the relationship as it currently exists.
  2. Moving towards separation or divorce: This option acknowledges that the relationship may not be salvageable and explores the possibility of ending the marriage.
  3. Engaging in a six-month all-out effort in couples therapy: This option recognizes the potential for growth and healing through intensive couples therapy.

The Process

During discernment counseling, couples engage in a series of 1-5 sessions with a trained discernment counselor. These sessions provide a supportive environment for each partner to express their thoughts, concerns, and desires without judgment. The counselor facilitates open and honest communication, helping the couple explore the underlying issues that have led them to question their relationship.
Through this process, couples gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their partnership. They develop insight into patterns of interaction, unresolved conflicts, and underlying emotions. This newfound clarity enables them to make more informed decisions about the future of their relationship.

​Benefits of Discernment Counseling

Discernment counseling offers several benefits for couples who are unsure about the next steps in their relationship:
  1. Guidance: Trained discernment counselors provide unbiased guidance and support throughout the process, helping couples navigate their emotions and uncertainties.
  2. Clarity: The structured sessions of discernment counseling allow couples to gain clarity about their individual needs, desires, and limitations within the relationship.
  3. Empowerment: Through self-reflection and exploration, couples regain a sense of agency and control over their lives, enabling them to make decisions that align with their values and goals.
  4. Improved Communication: Discernment counseling can improve communication between partners, fostering a deeper understanding and empathy for one another's perspectives.
  5. Informed Decision-Making: By exploring different options and potential outcomes, couples can make more informed decisions about the future of their relationship.

​Take the First Step Towards Clarity

If you and your partner are considering separating but are not yet ready to give up on your relationship, discernment counseling may be the right path for you. Inquire about discernment counseling today to schedule an initial session and begin your journey towards clarity and resolution.
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