I don't know anything about Discernment Counseling. How do I learn more?

I have an entire page with lots of answered questions about Discernment Counseling. You can find it here: https://lwadiscernment.com/browse-topics/

Do you have current openings?

Seeing couples for discernment counseling is a priority in my practice and I am committed to getting started with you within one week of our first contact.

Does insurance cover Discernment Counseling?

No. I am contractually obligated to follow all rules outlined by the insurance companies I work with. My contracts state that services are covered ONLY if they are part of a medically necessary treatment plan for a verified psychiatric diagnosis. While discernment counseling may have therapeutic effects, it does not meet these criteria for insurance coverage. Neither partner will be given a diagnosis, nor is there a recognized CPT (procedure code) for discernment counseling. You will also not receive a superbill.

How much does it cost?

Discernment counseling costs $250 per hour. The first session is always 2 hours. Follow-up sessions, if any, are 1.5–2 hours each.

What are my payment options?

All clients are required to have a credit card on file (this is the default form of payment). There is a 3% credit card fee. We also accept electronic check/ACH payments with no extra service fees. HSA and FSA cards cannot be used because discernment counseling is not treatment for a medical condition.

How are you able to see clients in other states?

I am a participating provider with PSYPACT, an inter-jurisdictional agreement that allows me to provide telehealth services to clients in participating states.

Why choose Ginny for Discernment Counseling?

Ginny is a highly respected discernment counselor with over 30 years of clinical experience and advanced training with Dr. Bill Doherty. She is one of only nine Master Practitioners worldwide and a member of the Doherty Relationship Institute’s Clinical Support Team. She has also been named a Trusted Divorce Professional by Divorced Girl Smiling.

Advice for the leaning in spouse

In the midst of the crisis experienced by the leaning in spouse, we offer some important ~though difficult~ advice:

Rather than expressing your own feelings/beliefs/desires,

try to focus on understanding your partner’s experience.

This is NOT easy!

Read below a summary (provided by the Doherty Family Institute) of what we know about the experience of the leaning out spouse.

Here's what we know from research and clinical practice about what your spouse might be experiencing:

√ Your spouse has probably had doubts about the marriage for a number of years but didn’t want to brood on them or let them shake the marriage. Yes, years. Marital doubt is its own long, complex journey that you can read more here. You may have had your own doubts that never rose to the level where you seriously considered divorce. Finally, surfacing serious doubts about the marriage can lead to a strange combination of relief (no more hiding) but also guilt, fear, and anger at you for reacting the way you did.

√ A less common scenario might be true in your situation: that your spouse, who otherwise was okay with the marriage, is responding to a critical event like an affair or a big deception—and then considering divorce as a panic reaction.

√ Either way, if your spouse has opened up about leaning towards divorce before making a final decision, this is a good thing. We know it’s hard to see any of this as a gift, but consider the alternative: finding out the day you are served divorce papers. Instead, your spouse has given you the opportunity to respond and propose ways to save the marriage.

√ And even if your spouse has announced that he/she definitely wants a divorce, research shows that this feeling may not be permanent, even after filing for divorce. Many people are up and down about what seems like a final decision.”

By paying attention to these possible experiences of your leaning out spouse, you may just increase your chance at having them agree to discernment counseling.

Advice for the leaning in spouse

Rather than expressing your own feelings/beliefs/desires,

try to focus on understanding your partner’s experience.

Here's what we know from research and clinical practice about what your spouse might be experiencing:

By paying attention to these possible experiences of your leaning out spouse, you may just increase your chance at having them agree to discernment counseling.

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Outcomes – Updated!

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Advice for the leaning in spouse

Rather than expressing your own feelings/beliefs/desires,

try to focus on understanding your partner’s experience.

Here's what we know from research and clinical practice about what your spouse might be experiencing:

By paying attention to these possible experiences of your leaning out spouse, you may just increase your chance at having them agree to discernment counseling.

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Like this:

Related Posts

Outcomes – Updated!

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Protected: Download Documentation Templates

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