Discernment Counseling

Online Discernment Counseling for Couples Across Texas, Florida, and Colorado

Is Your Relationship "On the Brink" of a Break-Up / Divorce?

Maybe one of you is considering ending the relationship, while the other wants to work on it.

One of you may be leaning toward leaving but isn't completely certain.

The other may be hoping there's still a way to repair the relationship.

Discernment Counseling is a brief, structured process for couples who are uncertain about the future of their relationship—particularly when one partner is “leaning out” and the other is “leaning in.” Discernment Counseling is a chance to slow down and look at your options for your future.

Leaning Out / Leaning In

Discernment Counseling is designed for couples who are starting from two different places—one partner is “leaning out” of the relationship, while the other is “leaning in.” Discernment Counseling can help you decide whether to work toward restoring the relationship, move toward separation or divorce, or take some time before deciding.

Leaning Out Partner

Seriously considering ending the relationship, but not completely certain that leaving is the right decision.

Leaning In Partner

Wanting to preserve the relationship and willing to work toward repairing and rebuilding it.

The Goal is Clarity

The goal is for you both to gain clarity and confidence about a direction, based on a deeper understanding of your relationship and its possibilities for the future.

The goal is not to solve your relationship problems, but to determine whether they are solvable. Discernment Counseling is not traditional couples therapy.

You will come to sessions together, but much of the work happens in one-to-one conversations with the counselor. This gives each of you space to explore your perspective honestly, especially because you may be starting from very different places.

Both partners are treated with compassion and respect. There are no “good guys” or “bad guys,” and the goal is not to convince either of you to stay or leave.

Instead, each of you will look more closely at your own contributions to the relationship and what would need to change for the relationship to become healthier. This understanding can be valuable whether you ultimately choose to stay together or go your separate ways.

Is Discernment Counseling Right for Us?

Discernment Counseling may be a good fit if you are married or have been in a long-term, committed partnership and:

One of you is seriously considering ending the relationship.

One of you wants to preserve and work on the relationship.

Neither of you has made a final decision to end the relationship.

You both want more clarity and direction about what comes next.

Discernment Counseling is NOT for:

When one partner has already made a final decision

When there is danger of domestic violence

When one partner is coercing the other to participate

The Three Paths

Discernment Counseling helps couples consider three possible paths forward:

Path 1: Stay as Things Are

Keep the relationship as it is for now, without making a decision to divorce or beginning an intensive effort to repair the marriage.

Path 2: Move Toward Separation / Divorce

Begin taking steps toward ending the marriage / relationship, with greater clarity about how and why the relationship reached this point.

Path 3: Commit to Working on the Marriage

Take divorce off the table for a period of time—typically six months—and fully commit to couples therapy, with each partner also working on the changes they personally need to make.

The goal of Discernment Counseling isn’t to steer you toward any one path. It’s to help both of you slow things down, better understand what happened in the relationship, and make a thoughtful, informed decision about what comes next.

Number of Sessions:

Discernment Counseling is a maximum of 5 sessions.

The first session is typically 2 hours, with subsequent sessions lasting 1½–2 hours.

Discernment Counseling is a short-term, structured process designed specifically for couples to have clarity about what comes next.

You don't commit to all five sessions at once. At the end of each session, you decide whether another session would be helpful.

Fees & Sessions

Discernment Counseling is a brief, focused process designed to help couples gain clarity and confidence about the future of their relationship. You decide one session at a time whether to continue, for a maximum of five sessions.

Initial Session:

2 hours | $300

Follow-Up Sessions:

90 minutes | $225

2 hours | $300

Discernment Counseling is a private-pay service and is not billed to insurance. Sessions are provided virtually through a secure telehealth platform and are available to couples throughout Texas, Colorado, and Florida.

You Don't Have to Have the Answers Before You Begin.

Discernment Counseling gives you a place to carefully consider your relationship, understand how you got here, and move toward your next step with greater clarity and confidence.

Is Discernment Counseling A Good Fit for Your Relationship?

Start with the brief pre-screener below. It takes about 2–3 minutes and will help determine whether Discernment Counseling may be appropriate for your situation.

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