Discernment Counseling is an approach to couple’s counseling to assist partners in figuring out if they want to continue their relationship. It recognizes that many couples seek counseling because they are close to separating. Counselors use this knowledge to design interventions and help the couple decide if they should stay together.
Counselors will start by asking plenty of questions in the initial assessment, such as your thoughts about the relationship, your strengths as a couple, common themes in disagreements, if children are involved, and the relationship history. After this assessment, your counselor will speak with you to determine whether there are solvable issues within the relationship. They talk to you about these things together and separately.
Discernment Counseling’s goal isn’t to fix relationship issues or solve problems but to discern whether there are issues that have the potential to be solved and if each partner deems them worthy of working through.
Discernment Counseling usually only lasts a couple of sessions. If couples choose to stay together, they might enter couples therapy after Discernment Counseling to engage in a more long-term process.
This type of therapy can provide a foundation of relational strengths for a couple, making couple’s counseling easier. If couples choose to separate, Discernment Counseling can facilitate that process.
Therapists Who Specialize in Using Discernment Counseling
As the owner and manager of Scout Counseling, PLLC, I work primarily with couples and men on issues related to communication, conflict resolution, infidelity, boundaries, emotional regulation and expression, anxiety, depression, and life transitions, including adjustments to marriage as well as having children, or becoming empty nesters.
Thomas Barlee is a leading provider of online mental health therapy and counseling services in Delaware, dedicated to helping individuals and couples navigate life's challenges with expert care and compassion. He specializes in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, and men's issues.
Hi, I'm Lara! I specialize in couples therapy, anxiety, ADHD, and trauma. If you are dealing with an unsatisfying relationship or are struggling to manage your negative thoughts, we can work together so that you will feel better, have more energy, and will be empowered to begin living your best life and improve all of your relationships. Visit my website to learn more and schedule a free consul...
With over 30 years of specialized clinical experience, Dr Folts holds a doctorate in behavioral healthcare and is licensed to practice psychotherapy in both Arizona and Florida. Dr. Folts embraces the human mosaic; warmly welcoming clients from all backgrounds and life situations. LGBTQIA+ alley. Visit zoefolts.com to fill out an appointment request form.
Kori Hennessy specializes in relationship, trauma and sex therapy in MN. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Sex Therapist and Certified EMDR therapist. She offers both tele-health and in person options in Minneapolis, MN. She also offers EMDR consultation and Supervision for Marriage and Family Therapists. Please visit her website for more information.
My focus is to help people who are struggling and feel stuck in painful cycles of conflict to heal, energize, become more aware of their inner strengths, and to move forward. I achieve this by providing a neutral safe space, listening to your concerns, and customizing a treatment plan.
Please go to therapymplsmn.com for more information. Evening and weekend appts; free consultations. Having faced pain and challenges in my own life, I am deeply invested in what’s possible in therapy. I understand how intimidating and stressful it can be to find a therapist and begin. For now, I want you to know I am warm, calm, compassionate, non-judgmental, and direct, and take a collaborativ...
“You aren’t good enough” or, at least, that is what you’ve convinced yourself. This pain is only temporary, freedom is around the corner.
You are an expert on your situation. You understand it better than anyone because you are always in it, but when is the last time you stepped away to look at it from a new perspective. It may seem impossible, but it’s not. My approach is focused on helping yo...
Awakening Mental Health provides quality telehealth counseling services to those in Arizona and Texas. We treat conditions such as PTSD, developmental trauma, anxiety, depression, mood instability, anger management concerns, eating disorders, first responder trauma, attachment issues, relationship concerns, body image issues, complex PTSD, control issues, codependency, emotional intelligence, e...
Feel mistrust in your relationship and with others altogether? Maybe a traumatic event happened in your life or in your relationship. This could be an affair that has left you with no trust and your world shattered. Maybe you're agitated at the little things and so vigilant and on guard you no longer can relax or feel safe. Maybe you have started to disconnect from your partner, shutting down a...
Things in your relationship aren't going well. You're struggling, and you're not sure how to fix it. You don't want to get divorced, but you don't think you can do this anymore. If something in your relationship isn't working, you're in the right place. Whether you're fighting all the time or simply drifting apart, I can help. Relationships are hard. Everyone knows that. But change is really ha...
It takes courage and curiosity to begin the therapy process and I admire those who are able to do so. I believe that the psychotherapy process is greatly influenced by the therapeutic relationship. I work to collaboratively create a therapeutic relationship based on mutual respect, trust, and understanding. I use warmth and compassion to deliver direct feedback. My approach is collaborative as ...
Relationships are incredibly rewarding but often challenge us in more ways than expected. Strong relationships are the foundation for a thriving life but for a variety of reasons, life gets in the way of thriving. Maybe you are looking for your relationship to thrive again or maybe you feel your problem is much bigger. No matter the issue, I believe therapy can help. My goal is for couples to l...
