What to Expect from Discernment Counseling

We love Discernment Counseling at Sparrow Counseling!

Many people in the Birmingham, AL area have not heard of Discernment Counseling. Discernment Counseling has been a powerful resource that I use when working with couples.  When I am working with a couple and see that Discernment Counseling may benefit their relationship, I never hesitate to tell them more about this specific service that Sparrow Counseling offers.  After being trained and certified as a Professional Discernment Counselor, I see how important this type of counseling can be. I believe this is a huge resource to offer couples in the Birmingham area. 

 Discernment Counseling can provide clarity and confidence!

Discernment Counseling is a specific service that can provide a couple the clarity and confidence that they are searching for.  Discernment Counseling provides a safe place for the couple to look at their relationship in a space where the anxiety and pressure they are experiencing can be put aside.  

 When a couple comes to a Discernment Counseling session, I often begin by asking the couple what their expectations are for the session.  Some couples admit to having no expectations while other couples come to the first session with high expectations.  When a couple knows more about the Discernment Counseling process, they will have a clearer view of what to expect.

Discernment Counseling is only 1-5 sessions.

Discernment Counseling is a short-term decision-making process that allows couples to look at their relationship from different perspectives.  The therapist focuses the sessions around three different paths and asks the couple both jointly and individually a series of questions to help determine the path they want to choose. The three paths that Discernment Counseling offers are: 

1) Status Quo (Keeping things the way they are). 

2) Separation/Divorce 

3) Reconciliation (With a commitment to consistent couples counseling). 

The Discernment Counseling process allows the couple to gain a clearer perspective of their current relationship so they can make a more confident decision on how to proceed and what they want the future of their relationship to be. 

 Let’s look at your individual contribution rather than blaming your partner.

Another expectation I like to emphasize to the couple is that Discernment Counseling is not a place to “bash” the other person.  The session is structured more around taking a look at what each individual’s contribution is to the relationship as well as the current state of the relationship.

What is your part?

Lastly, and perhaps the most important expectation for Discernment Counseling, is that whatever path the couple ultimately chooses, the decision is one in which each individual has ownership. The decision that they made was not taken lightly.  Both partners were heard and had a voice. When a couple finishes the discernment process, they can both walk away feeling that this life-changing decision was made in confidence.

If you are stuck in your relationship and not sure how to move forward, discernment counseling can help! Please email us at hello@sparrowcounsel.com. Contact Sparrow Counseling if you are interested in getting clarity and confidence about the future of your marriage at hello@sparrowcounsel.com.