Discernment Counseling is a specialized form of counseling designed for couples who are unsure about the future of their relationship and contemplating divorce or separation. It is a short-term and structured therapeutic process that helps couples gain clarity and make informed decisions about the next steps in their relationship. The primary focus of Discernment Counseling is to assist couples in exploring three paths: staying in the relationship as it is, pursuing a divorce or separation, or committing to a focused effort on reconciliation and relationship repair. The goal is to help partners gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their partner, and the patterns and dynamics within their relationship. Unlike traditional couples therapy, Discernment Counseling is not about solving problems or working on relationship issues directly. Instead, it provides a safe and supportive space for couples to examine their concerns, emotions, and motivations. The counselor helps facilitate open and honest conversations, allowing each partner to express their perspectives, desires, and doubts. Discernment Counseling typically involves a combination of individual and joint sessions. In individual sessions, each partner has an opportunity to privately explore their thoughts and feelings. Joint sessions provide a platform for guided conversations where couples engage in structured dialogues facilitated by the counselor. The role of the counselor in Discernment Counseling is to support both partners without taking sides or advocating for a specific outcome. The counselor helps couples navigate the complexities of their emotions and decision-making process while providing guidance, insight, and tools to facilitate productive discussions. Discernment Counseling is time-limited and usually consists of 1-5 sessions. The number of sessions can vary depending on the couple's needs and progress. It is a collaborative effort between the couple and the counselor, with an emphasis on creating a safe and non-judgmental environment for exploration and reflection. The overarching purpose of Discernment Counseling is to provide couples with the clarity and understanding necessary to make a thoughtful and informed decision about the future of their relationship. It helps couples gain insight into themselves, their partner, and their relationship dynamics, empowering them to move forward with confidence, whether that involves continuing the relationship, pursuing separation, or committing to reconciliation efforts.

“I was in counseling for 11 years straight and needed it even longer. I tried everything and nothing worked for any length of time. Then I was hospitalized, I was tired of seeing different therapists and trying yet another medication. I had given up hope that anything would work. I [saw] myself as broken and unfixable. Then I found DBT! DBT literally saved my life.”