Discernment Counseling
For partners questioning whether to stay in their relationship I also offer discernment counseling to help both partners gain clarity & confidence in making decisions about the future of their relationship.
What is Discernment Counseling?
The goal of discernment counseling is to explore each unmet needs in the relationship and identify both partners’ contributions to the current state of the relationship to better understand the changes that each partner might need to make to save the relationship. Even though both partners participate in discernment counseling, it is not couple’s therapy because the goal is not immediate change or to solve current problems.
In-session discussions will focus on the three paths open to you and your partner.
- The status quo path: to continue your relationship the way it currently is.
- The separation or divorce path: to end your commitment to each other as partners.
- The possible reconciliation path: to take divorce of the table and commit to 6-months of couple’s therapy in an all-out-effort to restore your relationship to health.
How long does discernment counseling last?
Discernment counseling is a brief process (one to five sessions) to help partners decide about the future of their relationship. The number of sessions will depend on both partner’s willingness to continue the discernment process, and each partner commits to attending only one session at a time.
The initial session will last two hours, and subsequent sessions are an hour and a half each.
The initial session will last two hours, and subsequent sessions are an hour and a half each.
Sessions are structured as follows:
At the start of each session I will meet with both you and your partner together as a couple followed by some time dedicated to work with each of you one-on-one. After each one-on-one portion of the session, each partner will summarize what he or she is “taking with them” from this discussion and share it with the other partner. At the end of each session, we will meet all together to review the current status of the discernment process.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Before starting discernment counseling both you and your partner will need to schedule a separate phone consultation with Dr. Bordieri. This consultation is free of charge and is intended to help you and your partner determine if discernment counseling is right for you.
Individual therapy is also available if your partner does not want to participate in discernment counseling or if you prefer to explore your needs individually.
Individual therapy is also available if your partner does not want to participate in discernment counseling or if you prefer to explore your needs individually.