Discernment Counseling

If you or your spouse is considering divorce, but you’re not completely sure it’s the right path, you may feel stuck in an intensely painful in-between. Discernment Counseling is designed for exactly this moment. It’s a structured way to slow down, take a breath, and look honestly at your options for the marriage.

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Discernment Counseling is different from traditional couples therapy. It’s specifically for couples in which one partner is “leaning out” (more likely to end the relationship or uncertain that therapy will help) and the other is “leaning in” (wanting to repair and rebuild).

Discernment Counseling offers a calm, contained space to move out of crisis and into more clarity.

In this process, I help you move toward one of three outcomes:

A renewed commitment to work on the marriage (often with couples therapy afterward)
A thoughtful separation or divorce
A decision to pause and revisit later, with greater clarity

You will each be met with compassion and respect, regardless of where you are right now. Sessions begin with you both together, but much of the work happens in individual conversations with me. This allows each partner to speak freely, reflect deeply, and explore their own contributions to the relationship patterns. These insights are valuable whether you ultimately stay together or part ways.

Discernment Counseling offers a calm, contained space to move out of crisis and into more clarity.

Number of Sessions: A maximum of five counseling sessions. The first session is usually two hours, and the subsequent sessions are 1.5 or 2 hours.

Discernment Counseling is not suited for these situations:• When one spouse has already made a final decision to divorce • When one spouse is coercing the other to participate• When there is danger of domestic violence

Please go to Discernmentcounseling.com for more information.