Discernment counseling is a 6- or 12- session series of appointments specifically geared towards weighing all of your options. Discernment services do not require any intake appointments and are 90 minutes long so that we can focus on you and the decision at hand. Sessions will start with a check-in and work on exploring the various options you're facing and your feelings toward those options. When discernment counseling comes to a close, clients should feel they have explored all of the angles of the decision at hand and have a clearer vision of the choice they feel is best for them. 

Because discernment is more brief than traditional counseling, clients who seek this service are looking for more specific answers than general mental health and relationship therapy. Discernment does not include skills work and helps clients orient themselves to their options and explore possible outcomes. Discernment may be helpful to clients who are seeking an unbiased perspective on the decisions at hand. If you are unsure if discernment is right for you, we are happy to meet with you for a consultation. 

Making big decisions can feel isolating. Discernment counseling ensures that you are not alone and are supported as you weigh your options. Most importantly, discernment counseling can provide structure around planning what a future can look like after a decision is made. Discernment is particularly effective for people who are working to decide the future of their relationships together.  Discernment can help quell the question of "will we, won't we?"

In general, relationship and couple's therapy are more effective after a discernment process because everyone is able to go into therapy having identified how they want to move forward, core values and conflicts in the relationship, what each participant needs to work on, and a shared goal for the relationship.

Clients should feel they have thoroughly explored the decision at hand. When clients close discernment counseling, they are ready to step into their decision, knowing that they have considered all of their options. Clients can choose to move forward on their own or pursue individual and/or relational therapy for additional support.