At a Crossroads? How Discernment Counseling Guides Uncertain Couples from Chaos to Clarity

Discernment counseling is a short-term, specialized type of couples therapy designed for couples who are uncertain about whether to stay in their relationship or pursue separation or divorce. It’s particularly helpful when one partner is leaning out of the relationship and the other wants to save it.

Here’s a simple definition:

Discernment counseling helps couples gain clarity and confidence about the future of their relationship—whether that means working toward healing, separating respectfully, or taking time before making a decision.

Key features include:

• Short-term format (typically 1–5 sessions)

• Focused on understanding what has happened in the relationship

• Designed to explore three paths: stay the same, separate/divorce, or commit to couples therapy for a period of time

• Offers a non-blaming, supportive space, especially when partners are not on the same page

It’s not the same as traditional couples therapy, which focuses on solving problems together—it’s more about decision-making than change.