You Don't Have to be Stuck, Discernment Counseling Can Move Forward With a Plan For Your Marriage.
You’ve been feeling stuck in this marriage for quite some time having the same arguments and struggles over and over. You just don’t know if it is ever going to get better. Do you just keep going on like this? Do you go to counseling? Do you separate? Is it time for a divorce?
The options seem overwhelming especially when you have kids! You are so tired of the same arguments over and over again. You feel so distant. Like roommates from your partner. You wonder if you could be happier apart. You have tried counseling in the past. It didn’t help and you think now you both are too far gone to really make any meaningful changes.
You Are Tired of Feeling Confused and Conflicted
This “being in limbo” is hurting more than helping and you are ready to figure out what path is right for you. What you really need is help with the decision of whether to move forward with divorce, separation, counseling, or keeping the status quo for now. Those are the options that discernment counseling can help you sort through.
But…You Have Kids
Your kids are the glue that keeps you both hanging on. You love your family. The memories you created. The trips you have taken. The holidays you shared together. You cannot imagine you got divorced NOT seeing your children for a few days!
Then there is co-parenting and managing schedules and what if your partner finds someone else, who starts taking your place as the parent when it is your partner’s time? You start to wonder if there is a chance that you two could really work things out and improve your marriage and find love again.
At Sparrow Counseling, We Love Discernment Counseling! Why?
Because we believe whatever path you choose (status quo, separation, divorce, or 6 months of couples counseling) that discernment counseling helps you to sit down and have difficult discussions with your spouse. Something you will need to learn to do, no matter the path you take.
For Couples on The Brink of Divorce- Why Going Straight Into Couples Counseling Will Not Work!
In Discernment Counseling, we know that there is usually a leaning-out partner and a leaning-in partner. Most couples counselors will tell you to just start couples counseling. We do NOT believe that is the right path for the couple considering divorce, because you will be wasting your time and money if one person is leaning out of the marriage. Discernment Counseling will help couples decide what path to take.
Path 1- Status Quo
Path 2- Separation or Divorce
Path 3- 6 months of COMMITTED couples counseling
If you decide on Path 3 (6 months of committed couples counseling), together you had larger discussions about the future of your marriage, and BOTH partners are invested and committed to the counseling. After Discernment Counseling for couples that choose couples counseling, you now have both partners committed to the process rather than one person invested and one person leaning out of the marriage. This saves you time and money!
What’s Your Individual Contribution?
In Discernment Counseling, both of you will also look at your own individual contribution to where you currently are in your marriage. You will both get clear on what you personally need to work on in terms of how you relate. Your dysfunctional relating patterns will follow you from one relationship to the next. Your counselor will help you come up with your own Personal Agenda for Change. So you will walk out of your Discernment Counseling session with individual goals you work on in your couples counseling work!
The Big Question in Discernment Counseling is….
Do I want to work on myself with this person?
Get Clarity in Your Marriage Now
With discernment counseling, the goal is to get clarity and confidence for the FUTURE of your marriage in a short amount of time so you can stop the pain and heartache of being immobilized by indecision.
We are not trying to solve your marriage problems we are asking are your problems SOLVEABLE!
Here’s How Discernment Counseling Works
2 hours- 90 Minutes long
Your first session will be 2 hours long with all remaining sessions being 90 minutes. You will come in as a couple and then take breaks so that each person is heard individually and then you will come back together for the last 15 minutes to share with your spouse any insight you gained with your individual time with the counselor. At the end of the session, you will decide if you want to schedule another session.
5 sessions
The process is typically no more than 5 sessions. In those sessions, each intervention will be given to help you both come to a decision on your next steps.
1 clear path
By the end of your discernment counseling, you will know your next step - couples counseling, separation, divorce, or keeping the status quo. From there we can continue to help you with our other services as needed.
Start Discernment Counseling in Birmingham, AL
At Sparrow Counseling, our skilled therapists are here to help provide you and your partner with guidance and support to help you and your partner decide the next step in your relationship. To get started with discernment counseling follow these simple steps:
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if discernment counseling is right for you
Meet with one of our caring therapists
Discover what next step you can take in your relationship with your partner.
Other Services Sparrow Counseling Offers
At Sparrow Counseling we offer both in-person and online therapy in the state of Alabama. We specialize in marriage counseling, co-parenting counseling, reunification therapy, blended family counseling, divorce & family mediation, and anxiety therapy. Let us aid you in healing broken relationship patterns that keep you from finding, creating, and keeping healthy relationships with partners, friends, and family. Learn more by checking out our FAQs and Blog!
Read Our Blogs That Explain The Discernment Counseling Process Even More!
Are you on the brink of divorce? Discernment counseling may help!
What to expect from discernment counseling
What is Discernment Counseling and what can it accomplish?
Sara Hadgraft, Discernment Therapist
Support With Skill
Hi! I’m Sara and I will be your guide through the discernment counseling process. I’ve been right where you are, trying to figure out what is the right step for me and my family. I know the power of discernment counseling and how it reduces the strain of indecision and can help a couple move forward on their path with more confidence and clarity. I have over 25 years of experience working with children and families. To learn more about me, click here, or click the button below to book your consult!