Discernment Counseling: what to expect.
It is often the case that one or both partners may be ambivalent about whether or not they want the relationship to continue. In these cases I help the individuals discern whether they wish to pursue couples work or look at separation or divorce.
Discernment Counseling is one to three 90-minute sessions. Within each session I meet with each person individually and then together. Each session is focused specifically on helping those who are unsure gain clarity about their desire to work on the relationship, keep things the same, or separate and end the relationship.
If the decision reached is to work on changing the relationship, then you may choose to continue to work with me in couples therapy or seek another path for relationship repair and growth. If you decide to maintain the status quo, no further action is needed on anyone's part.
If you decide to separate or divorce, then I can suggest resources — including Collaborative Divorce, which is designed to be cooperative and non-adversarial — to assist you in moving forward with uncoupling.