Discernment Counseling
Discernment Counseling is not couples therapy—it’s a brief, focused approach to help couples decide what kind of help they need. It’s especially helpful when one partner is “leaning out” of the relationship, and the other is “leaning in.”
Is Discernment Therapy Right for You?
If you or your partner are uncertain about the future of your relationship—whether to stay together or part ways—Discernment Therapy offers a structured, supportive process to help you find clarity.
Use this checklist to see if it might be a good fit:
You Might Benefit From Discernment Counseling If:
✅ One of you is seriously considering separation or divorce, but isn’t 100% sure
✅ One of you wants to preserve the relationship, while the other feels unsure
✅ You feel emotionally stuck, with no clear direction
✅ You’ve tried couples therapy before, but it didn’t seem to help
✅ There’s been significant distance or hurt in the relationship
✅ You want to understand what happened and if change is possible
✅ You’re afraid of making a decision you’ll later regret
✅ You want to explore your options in a respectful, guided way
✅ You want clarity, not pressure, in deciding your next steps
Discernment Counseling May Not Be the Right Fit If:
❌ Both partners are fully committed to repairing the relationship (Couples therapy may be a better next step)
❌ One partner is unwilling to pause the separation process to explore the relationship
❌ There is ongoing emotional or physical abuse (Safety must come first
❌ You’re looking for long-term therapy (Discernment is short-term—usually 1–5 sessions)
Why Discernment Counseling Is Not Covered by Insurance
Discernment Counseling is a short-term, decision-focused process designed to help couples gain clarity and confidence about the future of their relationship. It is not considered traditional psychotherapy, and it does not focus on treating a mental health diagnosis.
Because insurance companies typically only reimburse services that are medically necessary and tied to a diagnosable mental health condition, discernment counseling does not qualify for insurance coverage. The goal of this work is not to treat mental illness, but to support thoughtful decision-making during a time of relationship uncertainty—especially when one partner is leaning out of the relationship and the other is leaning in.
For this reason, sessions are offered as private-pay only and are not submitted for reimbursement under mental health insurance plans.