"To Stay or Go?" A Critical Question for Ailing Relationships
If you or your partner are considering separation or divorce/termination, but are not completely sure which path to pursue, Discernment Counseling was designed for you. Discernment Counseling is a research-validated, blame-free way of helping couples where one person is “leaning out” of the relationship—and not sure that couples therapy can help--and the other is “leaning in”—that is, interested in salvaging the marriage. In this approach I help you decide whether to
Discernment Counseling aims to help you gain clarity and confidence about a direction, based on a deeper understanding of how your relationship got to the possibility of termination, and possibilities for the future. The goal in this approach is not to solve your relationship problems but to see if they are solvable in couples therapy. You will each be treated with compassion and respect no matter how you are feeling about your marriage at the moment. No "finding a bad guy".
Discernment Counseling involves the couple meeting together at moments but the most important work occurs in the one-to-one conversations. We do this because you are starting out in different places. I will respect your reasons for divorce while discussing circumstances to be open to restoring the marriage to health. Even if this relationship ends, this process is useful for future relationships as we tend to take "our part" to all of our intimate relationships.
- enter couples therapy to restore your relationship to security,
- move towards separation or divorce, or
- take a structured time-out and decide later.
Discernment Counseling aims to help you gain clarity and confidence about a direction, based on a deeper understanding of how your relationship got to the possibility of termination, and possibilities for the future. The goal in this approach is not to solve your relationship problems but to see if they are solvable in couples therapy. You will each be treated with compassion and respect no matter how you are feeling about your marriage at the moment. No "finding a bad guy".
Discernment Counseling involves the couple meeting together at moments but the most important work occurs in the one-to-one conversations. We do this because you are starting out in different places. I will respect your reasons for divorce while discussing circumstances to be open to restoring the marriage to health. Even if this relationship ends, this process is useful for future relationships as we tend to take "our part" to all of our intimate relationships.
Please see the video below of Discernment Counseling originator and researcher, Bill Doherty, discussing Discernment Counseling.
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Important Details About Discernment CounselingNumber of Sessions: A maximum of five counseling sessions.
The first session is usually two hours and the subsequent are 1.5 or 2 hours. Discernment Counseling is not suited for:
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If you would like a free, brief 15-minute consult to discuss entering Discernment Counseling with me, email me at james@jamesmccrackenpsychotherapy.com today. Don't let ambivalence take over your relationship.
Let me help you find clarity and a sense of direction.
Let me help you find clarity and a sense of direction.
