If you’ve been referred for discernment counseling and need to choose someone who will be a good fit for your needs, what should you look for?
Many therapists offer discernment counseling, but these therapists come with a wide range of training and experience. If you want to be sure that the therapist has completed all recommended training in discernment counseling, find out if the provider is certified through the Doherty Family Institute. Certification requires more than a simple learning of the “process” of discernment counseling and provides therapists with a deeper understanding of what couples in crisis need. Finding out if the therapist is certified is easy. Just go to the Doherty Family Institute website and check the directory for your state.
On the directory, you will also see if the therapist has sought out additional training to be a Discernment Counseling Fellow.
What else should you look for?
► Good fit. One of the best predictors of success in any therapy situation is a good match between client and therapist. Always feel free to speak to more than one referral to make sure it’s a good fit.
►Attitude toward marriage/divorce. Therapists, like all people, come with different opinions about marriage, divorce and the ethical considerations of the divorce decision. Discernment counselors should be able to balance the ethical weight of the marriage promise with the importance of self-determination in the divorce decision. Discernment counseling is grounded in the assumption that the marital commitment made means there is an obligation to work on troubled marriages before giving up.
► Availability. You are in crisis and will probably want to see someone who is able to get started within a week or two.
► Transparency. Every therapist will have their own fee structure, participation with insurance, etc. Don’t be afraid to ask!
We hope you’ll consider Dr. Wright for discernment counseling. Certified for over five years, she is currently one of three therapists in a year-long residency training to earn the recognition as a Discernment Counseling Fellow. Read more about Dr. Wright here.