On the Brink of Divorce?
Discernment Counseling
Discernment Counseling was created by researcher Bill Doherty, Ph.D., of the University of Minnesota, who saw a need for something therapists could offer to help couples whose marriages were so deep into crisis that marriage counseling involving marriage repair and reconciliation was not an option. Why? In the typical scenario, one spouse is leaning way out of the marriage and not wanting closeness or reconciliation; while the other desperately wants to save the marriage, and marriage counseling needs two motivated partners. We call these couples “mixed agenda couples.
Discernment therapy is specifically for couples that are:
• Ambivalent about their relationship
• Are on the brink of change, or divorce
It is short-term, brief therapy (5-6 sessions) for couples not ready to work on their relationship through couple therapy AND also, not ready to end their relationship.
Discernment Counseling creates a holding environment for the couple to develop clarity and confidence in deciding on the next step for their relationship, whether it is divorce or a shared commitment to couples therapy to repair the relationship” (Doherty & Harris, 2017).
Malia is experienced working with heterosexual & LGBTQIA+ marriages
About
Discernment
Counseling
Discernment Counseling is:
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Designed for married couples, or partners who once made a lifelong commitment to each other
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For couples currently experiencing “mixed agendas”
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For couples neither ready to improve or end their relationship
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Meant to be facilitated by experienced couple therapists
3 Paths
Provide a general description of the items below and introduce the services you offer. Click on the text box to edit the content.
Path One
Status quo.
The relationship staying
as it is.
Path Two
Separation or divorce.
Path Three
At least a 6 month commitment
to dedicated Couples/Sex Therapy,
re-evaluating after 3 and 6 months.