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Introduction

Discernment Counseling tackles painful ambivalence

If you are considering divorce or separation but aren’t sure if it’s the right path for you, we can help. Take one more careful look at your marriage to settle on a permanent decision you can live with. Divorce has long-term consequences but is sometimes unavoidable. Painful breakup is sometimes stopped when the path to happiness becomes clear.

Living in a troubled marriage is often an emotional ordeal. When divorce descends into a chaotic, hostile confrontation with financial retribution or prolonged silence, it becomes a distressing fiasco. This is where discernment counseling plays a pivotal role—it offers a moment to deeply contemplate before making a life-changing decision.

At CTI, all of our clinicians undergo discernment training. You’ll be guided by a skilled therapist who will help you navigate this decision-making process. It is a structured reflection, and a purposeful pause to organize essential thoughts and feelings. Discernment counseling is time-limited, private sessions with guidance to make a better, more thoughtful choice.

Kathy A. McMahon
Psychologist, Sex Therapist, President, Couples Therapy Inc.

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What is Discernment Counseling?

Considering Divorce? Pause and consider your options.

Discernment Counseling (also known as “discernment therapy” or “pre-divorce counseling”) is a process designed for couples considering divorce. Unlike marriage counseling, discernment counseling focuses primarily on individual reflection. Joint meetings are brief and free from debate or argument. The majority of the time is spent with a clinician in private, one-on-one conversations with each spouse, while shorter sessions involve sharing selected insights with your partner. What you can expect: Each person completes a comprehensive online assessment; Participates in individual sessions and limited joint meetings; Gains clarity on whether to remain in or leave the marriage.

  • Our therapist was wonderful.

    She created an excellent environment and provided wonderful guidance in our discernment therapy. We made great strides in the one weekend that we had been trying to overcome for months.

    Recent client reports
  • Our relationship was not supportive and unstable.

    We had poor communication with each other, conflicting interests. We wanted experts in Discernment therapy. Our therapist was truly amazing and thoughtful. He led us to make our own decision to work on our marriage.

    Recent client reports
  • I gained better communication skills once I found out the truth.

    Our marriage retreat turned into divorce planning. He is/was unwilling to work to reconcile the marriage. I found out he was having an affair. He was finally honest with me.

    Recent client reports
  • I had filed for divorce.

    It was very apparent that our therapist did her homework and was prepared for our completely opposite personalities. Her calm, patient demeanor was especially effective in dealing with my husband’s unpredictable mood changes and outbursts of anger.

    Recent client reports
  • We are getting a divorce, but I wanted to understand how we got there and figure out how to move forward.

    I feel like it’s not all my fault that our relationship failed, now. I’m dealing with my childhood issues. We also have points of reference from our weekend that help us communicate better for the sake of the kids.

    Recent client reports

View More Success Stories

  • Our therapist was wonderful.

    She created an excellent environment and provided wonderful guidance in our discernment therapy. We made great strides in the one weekend that we had been trying to overcome for months.

    Recent client reports
  • Our relationship was not supportive and unstable.

    We had poor communication with each other, conflicting interests. We wanted experts in Discernment therapy. Our therapist was truly amazing and thoughtful. He led us to make our own decision to work on our marriage.

    Recent client reports
  • I gained better communication skills once I found out the truth.

    Our marriage retreat turned into divorce planning. He is/was unwilling to work to reconcile the marriage. I found out he was having an affair. He was finally honest with me.

    Recent client reports
  • I had filed for divorce.

    It was very apparent that our therapist did her homework and was prepared for our completely opposite personalities. Her calm, patient demeanor was especially effective in dealing with my husband’s unpredictable mood changes and outbursts of anger.

    Recent client reports
  • We are getting a divorce, but I wanted to understand how we got there and figure out how to move forward.

    I feel like it’s not all my fault that our relationship failed, now. I’m dealing with my childhood issues. We also have points of reference from our weekend that help us communicate better for the sake of the kids.

    Recent client reports

View More Success Stories

Our Therapists

Is discernment counseling available near me?

At Couples Therapy Inc., all of our therapists have received direct training in discernment counseling from Discernment founder, Dr. Bill Doherty. With counselors in 33 locations across the United States, including Puerto Rico, we practice in 45 states and are continually expanding. Our team deeply understands the process that leads to marital dissolution and is dedicated to helping you gain clarity and confidence in making a personal decision about your marriage.

Half of our therapists hold doctoral degrees, and one-third are certified in the prestigious Gottman Method, a distinction held by fewer than 500 professionals worldwide. As a practice, we specialize exclusively in couples therapy.