Is Discernment Counseling Right for Your Struggling Marriage

Marriage, as beautiful as it can be, often encounters rough patches that challenge even the strongest of bonds. When conflicts and unhappiness in a marriage reach a breaking point, couples often face a pivotal decision: should they continue the marriage or consider separation and divorce? Discernment Marriage Counseling is a specialized form of couples therapy designed to help couples in this critical crossroads.

What Is Discernment Marriage Counseling?

Discernment Marriage Counseling (DMC) is a unique and structured form of couples therapy designed to assist couples who are in a state of ambivalence and uncertainty about the future of their marriage. It provides a focused and empathetic approach to help couples gain clarity and make informed decisions about the future of their marriage.

Here are the key basics of Discernment Marriage Counseling:

• Structured Exploration: Through a series of sessions, couples engage in a structured exploration of the issues, conflicts, and concerns that have led them to this point. These sessions encourage deep reflection on the impact of these issues.
• Understanding vs. Blame: DMC places a strong emphasis on understanding rather than assigning blame. It encourages couples to identify and acknowledge the patterns, triggers, and areas where growth is needed within the relationship.
• Empowering Decision-Making: As couples progress through DMC, they reach a point where they are better equipped to make decisions about the future of their marriage. The ultimate aim is to empower couples to make a choice that aligns with their values and priorities.
• Neutral Facilitation: DMC is often facilitated by a trained therapist or counselor who serves as a neutral third party. This professional helps create a safe and structured environment for open and honest communication between partners.
• Respect for Individual Needs: DMC does not pressure couples into immediate reconciliation but rather encourages them to consider what is best for their individual well-being and the well-being of the relationship.
• Time-Limited: Unlike open-ended couples therapy, DMC is typically time-limited and has a specific focus on helping couples arrive at a decision within a set number of sessions. This structured approach ensures that couples do not remain in therapy indefinitely but use it as a tool to reach a resolution.

The Process Of Discernment Marriage Counseling

The process of Discernment Marriage Counseling (DMC) is carefully structured to provide couples with a clear and supportive path for addressing their uncertainties about the future of their marriage. Here is a more detailed explanation of the process:

• Individual Sessions: One of the unique aspects of DMC is that it includes individual sessions for each partner. These sessions are crucial for allowing each person to express their feelings, concerns, and desires openly and without judgment.
• Joint Sessions: After the initial individual sessions, the therapist conducts joint sessions with both partners. These sessions are focused on facilitating open and honest communication between the couple.
• Exploration of Options: Throughout the joint sessions, the therapist helps the couple explore different options for their relationship. These options can include reconciliation, separation, or divorce.
• Education and Guidance: The therapist provides education on relationship dynamics, communication, and conflict resolution skills. They offer guidance on how each option might impact the couple, their children (if applicable), and their overall well-being. This information empowers couples to make informed decisions.
• Decision-Making Stage: This is a critical juncture where they have a clearer understanding of their relationship and are better equipped to make choices about its future. The therapist assists in facilitating this decision-making process.
• Follow-Up: Depending on the decision reached, DMC may include follow-up sessions to support couples as they implement their choices. For example, if the decision is to reconcile, follow-up sessions can focus on developing strategies to improve the relationship. If the decision is to separate or divorce, the therapist can help with the transition and co-parenting plans.
• Conclusion: DMC is typically time-limited and concludes once the couple has made a decision and is moving forward. The therapist ensures that both partners feel heard and supported throughout the process, regardless of the outcome.

Reconciliation, Separation, Or Status Quo

In Discernment Marriage Counseling (DMC), one of the key aspects is helping couples explore and understand the three potential paths that lie ahead for their relationship: reconciliation, separation, or maintaining the status quo. Each path has its own complexities and implications, and DMC assists couples in making informed decisions about which path to pursue. Let’s delve into each of these paths in more detail:

Reconciliation

• Exploration: For some couples, the goal may be to explore the possibility of repairing and rebuilding their marriage. In DMC, reconciliation involves taking a deep look at the issues that have contributed to the marital problems. The therapist assists in identifying these issues and helps the couple understand how they can work together to address them.
• Commitment to Change: Reconciliation often requires a commitment from both partners to make changes in the relationship. The therapist facilitates discussions about the changes necessary to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and rebuild trust.
• Counseling and Support: Couples pursuing reconciliation typically engage in additional couples therapy sessions focused on improving the relationship. The therapist provides guidance and tools to strengthen the bond and foster a healthier connection.
• Monitoring Progress: Throughout the reconciliation process, the therapist helps the couple monitor their progress and adjust their strategies as needed. This may involve reassessing goals, communication patterns, and individual efforts to make the relationship work.

Separation

• Exploration: If separation is the chosen path, DMC assists couples in understanding the logistics and emotional aspects of separating. This includes discussions about living arrangements, co-parenting (if applicable), and the division of assets and responsibilities.
• Emotional Processing: Separation can be emotionally challenging. The therapist helps the couple process their feelings and emotions related to the decision. This includes acknowledging grief, anger, and sadness that may arise during this transition.
• Co-Parenting Plans: For couples with children, creating a co-parenting plan is crucial. DMC can help couples work together to develop a plan that prioritizes the well-being of their children and ensures a smooth transition into this new phase.

Status Quo

• Reflection: Some couples may decide to maintain their current status without making immediate changes to the relationship. In this path, DMC allows couples to explore the reasons behind their choice to stay together as they are.
• Continued Discussions: The therapist facilitates ongoing discussions about the challenges and benefits of maintaining the status quo. Couples may use this time to reflect on whether they are content with the way things are or if they want to reevaluate their options later.
• Developing Communication Skills: If the decision is to maintain the status quo, DMC may include work on developing improved communication skills and strategies for handling issues more effectively within the existing dynamic.

Benefits Of Discernment Marriage Counseling

Discernment Marriage Counseling (DMC) offers several benefits for couples who find themselves in a state of uncertainty and ambivalence about the future of their relationship. It’s a unique and structured approach designed to help couples gain clarity and make informed decisions. Here are the benefits of DMC:

• Objective Guidance: With the assistance of a trained therapist, couples can navigate their issues with the guidance of an objective and neutral third party.
• Informed Decisions: DMC helps couples make informed decisions about the future of their relationship. Whether they choose reconciliation, separation, or the status quo, they do so with a clearer understanding of their motivations and goals.
• Children’s Well-being: For couples with children, DMC places a strong emphasis on considering the impact of decisions on the children’s well-being. This child-focused approach helps parents prioritize the best interests of their children.
• Reduced Conflict: By addressing issues in a controlled and therapeutic environment, DMC can reduce conflict and emotional volatility between partners. It provides a safe space for communication.
• Options for Reconciliation: For couples interested in reconciliation, DMC can serve as a valuable first step. It allows couples to work on their issues and see if reconciliation is a viable and healthy option.
• Closure: For couples leaning toward separation, DMC provides a structured process for achieving closure. It helps both partners understand the reasons behind the decision and facilitates a smoother transition.
• Improved Communication: DMC emphasizes improved communication skills, which can benefit couples regardless of the ultimate decision. These skills can lead to healthier interactions in the future, whether as a couple or co-parents.
• Resource for the Future: Even if a couple decides to separate, the insights gained through DMC can be valuable for future relationships. Couples can carry forward the lessons learned into future interactions and relationships.

Is Discernment Marriage Counseling Right for You?

Here are some factors to elaborate on when deciding if DMC is a suitable choice:

• Significant Doubts: If you or your partner have significant doubts about the future of your marriage, DMC can be beneficial. It’s especially useful when one spouse is leaning toward divorce or separation, and the other is open to reconciliation.
• Children’s Well-being: If you have children, their well-being is a paramount concern. DMC can be a suitable choice if you want to explore the impact of your decisions on your children and create a plan that prioritizes their needs.
• Emotional Readiness: Couples considering DMC should be emotionally prepared for the process. It can involve confronting difficult emotions and facing the potential end of the relationship. Both partners should be ready to engage in open and honest discussions.
• Experienced Therapist: Choosing a therapist experienced in DMC is essential. Look for a therapist who understands the unique dynamics of this approach and can provide a safe and non-biased environment for exploration.
• Time and Resources: Ensure that both partners have the time and resources to commit to the counseling process. DMC may involve multiple sessions over several weeks or months.
• Legal Advice: If you are contemplating separation or divorce, it’s advisable to seek legal advice alongside DMC to understand the legal implications and options available to you.

Conclusion

Discernment Marriage Counseling is a valuable resource for couples facing uncertainty in their relationships. It provides a structured environment for couples to explore their issues, gain clarity, and make informed decisions about their future. It recognizes that every couple’s situation is unique and helps them find the best path for their goals and values, whether that involves staying together, separating, or taking more time to evaluate their options. Overall, DMC equips couples with insights and tools to move forward with confidence and clarity, leading to healthier relationships, whether together or apart.

For more information, please contact MantraCare. Relationships are an essential part of human life. It is the connection between people, and it helps us to form social bonds, and understand and empathize with others. If you have any queries regarding Online Relationship Counseling experienced therapists at MantraCare can help: Book a trial therapy session.