Discernment Counseling
Not couples therapy. Not advice. Just space to understand.
Discernment Counseling: Clarity When You’re Stuck
Not sure if your relationship can or should be saved? You’re not alone.
Discernment counseling offers a calm, structured space to explore what’s next when one or both partners feel uncertain about the future of their relationship. It’s not couples therapy. It’s not about fixing things or deciding quickly. It’s about gaining clarity, confidence, and direction without pressure.
What Is Discernment Counseling?
Discernment counseling is a short-term, specialized service designed for mixed-agenda couples. That means one partner may be leaning out of the relationship, while the other is hoping to work things out. Unlike traditional couples therapy, the goal here isn’t to solve problems together. The goal is to help each partner understand:
How the relationship got to this point
Their role in the dynamic
Whether there is enough motivation from both sides to consider reconciliation
Who Is Discernment Counseling For?
Discernment counseling may be a fit if:
You’re asking yourself, “Should I stay or leave?”
One of you feels done but unsure
The other feels desperate to save the relationship
You’ve tried talking, but keep ending up in the same painful loop
You need help sorting through fear, guilt, or grief before making a decision
This process is especially helpful if there has been emotional abuse, betrayal, or long-standing disconnection, and one or both of you want a clearer path forward before taking legal or emotional steps.
What to Expect with Discernment Counseling
Discernment counseling typically includes 1 to 5 structured sessions. Each session includes:
Time together as a couple (to clarify the process, not to resolve conflict)
Individual conversations with each partner (to safely explore your perspective)
A focus on three paths: stay as-is, separate, or commit to a 6-month course of couples therapy
Sessions are guided, confidential, and paced to honor your emotional bandwidth.
Why Work With Catrina
With over 14 years of experience, I support individuals and couples navigating high-conflict, emotionally complex situations including relationships with trauma, power imbalance, or ambivalence. You won’t be pushed to stay or leave. My job is to help you see your situation more clearly and decide what comes next from a grounded, empowered place.
Is Discernment Counseling Right for You?
If you’re in a place of deep uncertainty, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Discernment counseling gives you a space to reflect, not react.
Ready to take the next step?
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if discernment counseling is right for your situation.