Discernment Counseling

Discernment Counseling in San Antonio & Schertz

Providing Clarity and Direction for Couples Unsure if They Want to Remain in Their Relationship

You look at your partner and feel torn between the hope of rekindling a once-loving connection and the fear of making a decision that could lead to a permanent ending. The uncertainty and emotional turmoil can weigh heavily, causing sleepless nights filled with anxiety about what the future holds. Friends and family, though well-meaning, have offered conflicting advice, leaving you feeling even more confused, alone, and frustrated.

This is a photo of a couple sitting on a couch deciding if they want to stay in the relationship. The guy has his hand on his chin and the woman has both hands on the side of her head. They are considering discernment counseling.

Navigating the crossroads of a troubled relationship can be an overwhelming and isolating experience.

If at least one person in the relationship has or is considering leaving, it can be beneficial to spend time in a therapeutic process referred to as ‘Discernment Counseling’. Our relationship counselors are trained in Discernment Counseling, a 1-5 session approach that is solely focused on helping you and your partner identify if staying in the relationship is what’s best.

When someone in the relationship is not hopeful that positive change can happen, discernment counseling should be your first step. It can help iron out the hesitation of putting hard work into something that you or your partner isn’t sure will even work. It’s in these times when couple’s therapy and marriage counseling seem unhelpful, as these approaches often work best when both partners are willing and ready to work toward change in their relationship.

Discernment counseling offers you the specialized support and clarity you need to make a decision on the future of your relationship.

The goal of Discernment Counseling is to allow both partners a safe space to explore their options. With the benefit of working with the same counselor who knows and understands the context of your individual concerns and struggles, you have a greater chance of working together to find the solution that is right for your relationship.

You no longer have to stand at a crossroads hoping to feel clear in your decision on what the next step is. We provide clarity by removing the confusion and overwhelm, while helping you or your partner decide on the future of your relationship.

FAQs about Discernment Counseling in San Antonio & Schertz

  • Couples therapy and marriage counseling often focus on solving relationship problems. Discernment counseling is specifically for couples where one or both partners are unsure if they want to continue the relationship. The goal is to help partners decide the best path forward rather than directly working on relationship issues.

  • Couples who are considering separation or divorce and are unsure about what to do next can benefit from discernment counseling. It's ideal for situations where one partner is leaning towards ending the relationship while the other wants to work on it.

  • Unfortunately, you cannot. Your health insurance covers medical illness, so services have to reflect a medical necessity. Most insurance companies don’t consider relationship conflict or struggles to be a medical problem. Even though deciding to stay in or leave a relationship can lead to anxiety, depression, or other mental health illnesses, the focus on discernment counseling is to make a decision forward rather than decrease symptoms of a mental health concern.

  • Discernment counseling is considered a brief therapy approach, usually lasting between one to five sessions. Each session is designed to be deep and meaningful, providing significant insights for both partners on whether or not to stay in the relationship.

  • During discernment counseling sessions, your counselor will work individually with you and your partner to understand your perspectives and explore your options. The process includes reflecting on the relationship's history, the current state of the relationship, and future possibilities.

  • The outcomes of discernment counseling include deciding to continue the relationship with a commitment to attend couples therapy, deciding to end the relationship, or deciding to delay the decision.

  • Discernment counseling requires both partners to be present and engaged in the process. It is most effective when both individuals are open to exploring their feelings and options regarding the future of their relationship.

Are you unsure if you want to stay in your relationship and need a clear path forward? Schedule a free 15-minute online consultation to see how Discernment Counseling can help.