Feeling Uncertain About Your Relationship? Discernment Counseling Can Help.
/Are you and your partner standing at a crossroads, unsure whether to stay together or part ways? Do you find yourselves asking, “Should we break up or give it one more try?”
Has one of you emotionally checked out, while the other is holding on?
If you’re in this space of uncertainty, Discernment Counseling might be the next step for you.
What Is Discernment Counseling?
Discernment Counseling is a short-term, structured form of couples therapy designed specifically for couples who are on the brink of separation or divorce, but aren’t entirely sure they want to end the relationship.
Unlike traditional couples therapy, which focuses on problem-solving and rebuilding the relationship, Discernment Counseling is about clarity and confidence in a decision. Its goal is to help each partner gain a deeper understanding of:
What has happened in the relationship to bring you to this point
Each person’s contributions to the dynamic
Whether the marriage or partnership has potential to improve with effort
What you want your next step should be
Who Is Discernment Counseling For?
This type of counseling is especially helpful when:
One partner is leaning toward divorce or separation (“leaning out”)
The other partner wants to preserve and repair the relationship (“leaning in”)
The couple is emotionally stuck and struggling to make a clear decision
You’ve tried traditional couples therapy but felt like you weren’t aligned in your goals
If you or your partner are on different pages about the future of your relationship, Discernment Counseling offers a nonjudgmental space to sort through your feelings and explore your options.
How Does Discernment Counseling Work?
Discernment Counseling is limited to 1 to 5 sessions, making it a brief and focused intervention. Sessions are usually 1.5 to 2 hours long and include a combination of joint and one-on-one conversations with your therapist.
Your therapist will work individually with each of you to explore your personal experience in the relationship—without trying to sway your decision one way or another. The emphasis is on honest reflection and understanding, not on persuading one partner to stay or go.
At the end of the process, you’ll choose one of three paths:
Stay in the relationship as-is
Move toward separation or divorce
Commit to a 6-month period of intensive couples therapy with both partners fully invested
How Is This Different From Couples Therapy?
Discernment Counseling is not designed to help you fix the relationship. It’s meant to help you decide whether or not fixing it is something you’re both willing and ready to try.
While couples therapy assumes both people want to work on the relationship, Discernment Counseling makes space for uncertainty. It’s especially valuable when only one person feels committed to saving the relationship, and the other is feeling hopeless, disconnected, or emotionally done.
Why Choose Discernment Counseling?
If you’re feeling stuck in limbo, Discernment Counseling can:
Help you avoid rushing into a decision you might later regret
Prevent unnecessary or premature divorce
Prevent halfhearted and unhelpful couples therapy experiences
Clarify what each partner truly wants and needs
Provide a deeper understanding of your relationship dance and gain self-awareness, whether you decide to continue in this marriage or not
At its core, Discernment Counseling is about empowering couples with insight and intention, whatever their ultimate path may be.
Ready to Find Clarity Together?
If you're feeling unsure about the future of your relationship, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Discernment Counseling offers a compassionate space to explore your options with honesty and care.
Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced Discernment Counselors. Whether you decide to rebuild your connection or part ways with respect, we’re here to help you take the next step with clarity and confidence.