One of you is leaning out - one is leaning in -
or you're both unsure
Discernment Counseling is for when you’re not sure whether to rebuild or walk away.
One of you wants to fight for the relationship, the other isn’t sure it’s worth it. You’re exhausted by the uncertainty but afraid to make the wrong call.
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You don’t have to agree to “work on the relationship” to begin. This process is for couples where one person is leaning in and the other is leaning out. The goal isn’t to fix things - it’s to understand what’s possible
and what’s not.
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Each of you has space to explore your feelings and fears without being pushed to decide too soon. Together, we’ll uncover what’s keeping you stuck and what might help you move forward. Whether that means repair or separation, you’ll leave with a clear next step.
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You’ll be guided by a calm, seasoned, Certified Discernment Counselor.
I’ve worked with countless couples at this exact crossroads. My role is to help you both feel understood while holding the relationship steady enough to examine it honestly. Traditional couples therapy isn’t designed for this kind of uncertainty - but Discernment Counseling is.​​​​
Standing at the Crossroads of Your Relationship? Don’t Decide in the Dark
Discernment Counseling for Divorce in Wellesley, Massachusetts
Discernment Counseling Is Different
Discernment counseling isn’t traditional couples therapy. We’re repairing the relationship. We're not assigning blame. Instead, we're getting clear about how you got here, what’s happening now, and what’s possible.
It’s for couples where the future feels uncertain - maybe one of you is leaning toward divorce, the other is hoping things can change, or both of you feel stuck in the middle.
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Short, Focused, Intentional
This work is time-limited. Most couples meet 1–5 sessions, with three being typical. The goal is to help you both move toward clarity about the direction for your relationship. Discernment counseling gives you a clear framework for one of life’s biggest decisions.
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What We Explore Together
In our sessions, all together and individually, we dig into:
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what led you to question the relationship or consider divorce
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your contributions - how each of you has played a part
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the impact of separation - what divorce or separation would truly mean for your lives
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the three paths - which option you’re open to exploring: staying as-is, separating, or committing to repair
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understanding each other - how much each of you truly understands your partner’s experience
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The Three Paths
Discernment counseling leads to one of three outcomes:
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Remain as you are - Sometimes the decision is to stay where you are, with the relationship in its current state
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Move toward separation or divorce
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Take divorce off the table and commit to repair - If both partners are willing, you enter six months of focused couples therapy, each bringing a clear personal agenda for change and growth
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Why Every Couple Deserves This Process
Deciding whether to stay or leave is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make together. Most couples try to figure it out while still in the middle of the pain, the arguing, or the distance - and that rarely works. Discernment Counseling gives you a proven, structured process for understanding how you feel, what you need, and what is truly possible. I’ll guide you step by step so you can decide - instead of guessing, hoping, or rushing into a choice that might haunt you later.
Frequently Asked Questions about Discernment Counseling in Wellesley, Massachusetts
What if one of us has already decided to leave?
If one partner has fully made up their mind to leave, Discernment Counseling may not be helpful. Instead, mediation or a therapist specializing in separation might be a better fit.
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Should you do couples counseling if you're thinking of divorce?
If you're unsure about staying in your relationship, whether there has been a marriage crisis or a slow erosion of love and trust, Discernment Counseling is a better option than traditional couples therapy. Unlike standard couples counseling, which focuses on improving the relationship, Discernment Counseling helps you decide whether to work on the relationship or move toward divorce. If one of you is leaning out, couples therapy won’t be effective.
Can Discernment Counseling in Wellesley, MA help us stay together?
It’s not designed to repair relationship problems but rather to help couples determine if they are willing to work on the relationship. If both partners choose to commit to rebuilding, they can transition into couples therapy.
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Is it Discernment Counseling judgmental?
No, Discernment Counseling is a non-judgmental process. Couples come in with current infidelity, past infidelities, hurtful behaviors, trust issues - you name it. The goal is to understand each person’s perspective and offer clarity, not push a specific outcome.
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What if we decide to separate?
If separation is the decision, Discernment Counseling can help partners navigate the process with greater understanding and respect, reducing unnecessary conflict and paving the way for a more collaborative divorce.
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Trying to Decide Whether to
Stay or Leave?
Discernment Counseling in
Wellesley, MA
If one of you is considering ending the relationship while the other wants to save it, traditional couples therapy is not be the best place to start.
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Discernment Counseling is a short-term process designed specifically for couples who are uncertain about the future of their relationship. Rather than focusing on repairing the marriage immediately, we'll work toward understanding how you arrived at this point and whether there is enough desire and willingness to move forward together.
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Discernment Counseling is right for couples struggling with:
Ongoing conflict and disconnection
Infidelity or broken trust
Discussions about separation or divorce
Different levels of commitment to the relationship
Uncertainty about what to do next
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The goal isn't to persuade either of you to stay or leave. The goal is clarity.
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I provide online Discernment Counseling for residents throughout Wellesley, including Wellesley Hills, Wellesley Farms, Wellesley Square, and nearby communities such as Needham, Natick, Weston, Dover, Newton, Wayland, and Framingham.
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Also providing online Discernment Counseling throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Washington, and Florida.