Discernment Counseling
Choosing to get a divorce and end a marriage is often tough and challenging for both parties involved. Many couples find themselves in a spot where they conclude that there are issues in their marriage, but they are unsure how to proceed. The thought of “Should I get divorced?” or “Should we stay together and reconcile our marriage?” can be a hard choice to make as a couple without help. If you are in a similar predicament, discernment counseling might be your best option.
Discernment counseling is a specific short-term therapy designed to help couples unsure about their relationship figure out what direction to go and what options to take. Unlike marriage counseling, its sole purpose is not simply to get couples back together. Instead, it helps partners get clarity and determine, as a couple, whether or not they each want to work on the marriage going forward or if alternately they are going to move forward with divorce.
It can be helpful to consult with a divorce attorney before counseling so that you and your spouse can see what the divorce options could look like. Going into discernment counseling and knowing the legal options of divorce can help you feel fully prepared to make the right decision. A good divorce attorney will support their client's decision, whether or not they proceed with the divorce.
How it works and its goals:
Discernment counseling is a very targeted form of counseling. It usually involves five or six sessions, although it can be as brief as one, and is usually conducted by a licensed marriage and family therapist. The sessions typically involve individual conversations with the therapist and time to talk with the therapist as a couple.
These short sessions help couples understand their individual needs and give them a platform to address them in a safe environment. They also help the parties get on the same page about how they will handle their relationship going forward.
In a broader sense, even if the couple decides to get a divorce, discernment counseling can help build healthier relationships moving forward. It allows a space for both parties to figure out more of what they are actually looking for; even if that doesn’t entail a romantic relationship, maybe they can still salvage a co-parent one.
If, after discernment counseling, both parties decide to stay in the marriage and work on it, a postnuptial agreement can be helpful. Postnuptial agreements are not supposed to be done in contemplation of divorce. Still, if you are thinking about working on your marriage and staying married, a postnup can be done to help sort out issues that may arise if your marriage ends up not working out. A postnup can outline aspects such as ownership of financial assets, spousal support, or inheritance of non-marital children in the event of a divorce. For more information, check out our website’s blog on postnuptial agreements.
Discernment counseling helps couples gain clarity and confidence in their decision-making, consider options of staying married, separating, or divorcing, and generally learn more about themselves in a relationship and interpersonal sense. It can allow couples to work together and, if they choose to get a divorce, help them choose the amicable divorce route.
It is important to find a good therapist who can adequately help you and your spouse explore different paths when you are unsure whether to continue your marriage. The Law Office of Erin M. Wilson, LLC, has plenty of referrals and resources to find a therapist that best fits your situation’s needs. Contact The Law Office of Erin M. Wilson LCC to schedule a consultation at 312-767-4220.
NOTICE: This blog is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be construed as providing legal advice. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have regarding this blog post.