Discernment Counseling is a specialized type of couples therapy designed for partners who aren’t on the same page about staying together. Rather than trying to solve all the relationship problems, it helps you each understand:

- How your relationship reached this point

- What has been each partner’s role in that journey

- What possibilities for change might exist moving forward

By the end of the process, couples make a choice between three paths:

- Keep things as they are for now

- Move toward separation or divorce

- Commit to a dedicated period of couples therapy to work on rebuilding the relationship

The goal is clarity—not commitment.

This process is ideal for couples who:

- Are considering divorce or separation but feel unsure

- Have one partner leaning out and one partner leaning in

- Want to make a thoughtful, informed decision before moving forward

Discernment Counseling is not recommended if both partners are fully committed to saving the relationship (traditional couples therapy would be a better fit) or if there is ongoing abuse or coercion.

Discernment Counseling typically lasts 1–5 sessions, each about 90 minutes.
During these sessions, you’ll:

- Meet together and individually with your therapist

- Clarify your feelings, hopes, and fears

- Explore your patterns and contributions to the relationship

- Identify what needs to change—if the relationship continues

- Leave with a clear, shared understanding of your next step