Couples on the Brink: Discernment Counseling
Are You or Your Partner Uncertain About the Future of Your Relationship?
When couples are “on the brink” of separation or divorce, making the right next step can feel overwhelming and exhausting. Couples on the brink can benefit from Discernment Counseling, a short-term, highly-focused process designed to help couples in San Francisco (and California) gain clarity, confidence, and understanding about the future of their relationship.
What is Discernment Counseling?
Discernment Counseling is a unique approach for couples where one or both partners are unsure whether they want to continue the relationship. It is not couples therapy—it’s a tool for making a clear and informed decision about the next step in your journey together or apart.
Key Goals
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Clarity: Understand what got you here, and what options lie ahead.
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Confidence: Make an informed decision, whether to try reconciliation or to separate.
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Compassion: Move forward with respect and understanding, regardless of the outcome.
Who is It For?
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Couples considering separation or divorce.
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Partners with different levels of commitment to the marriage.
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Those seeking a nonjudgmental space to explore their feelings.
What to Expect
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Up to five sessions, focusing on understanding, not on solving marital problems.
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Individual and joint conversations with a trained Discernment Counselor (that’s me!).
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A structured, supportive environment.
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No pressure or bias toward staying together or separating—the focus is on what’s best for both partners.
About Me
I have been licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) for over a decade. Through experience I have seen how some couples therapy engagements struggled because there was not a strong shared agenda for working on the marriage. I came across Discernment Counseling when recognizing the need to find a way to work with mixed-agenda couples, one leaning in, one leaning out. I bring specialized skills and compassion to help you through this difficult crossroads. My goal is to support you in whatever choice is right for you and your partner.
Ready to Start?
If you and your partner are “on the brink,” don’t make the decision alone. Contact me today to schedule a 15 minute consultation to find out whether Discernment Counseling might be right for you.