Plano Texas
Discernment Counseling
Time-limited therapy for couples on the brink of divorce to help you decide the future of your marriage.
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What to Expect
What is Discernment Counseling?
COLLIN COUNTY TEXAS
A Brief Overview
Discernment counseling helps you find clarity and confidence in the direction of your marriage based on a deeper understanding of what’s happened in your marriage and each person’s contributions to the problems.
- Works best when one partner is leaning in and the other is leaning out.
- Time-limited to one to five sessions.
- Highly focused on determining the problems, each of your contributions, and a path forward.
Video features Bill Doherty, the creator of Discernment Counseling.
DISCERNMENT COUNSELING
Helping You Choose a Path Forward
In 1- 5 sessions, Discernment Counseling help you choose one of three paths forward.
Path 1: Status Quo
Very few clients choose to keep things as they are, but it is an option and some couples are not ready to part ways or do the hard work of couple’s therapy.
Path 2: Divorce
One or both of you may decide that the marriage is over. In these cases, we are often able to have productive conversations so both partners have a shared narrative.
Path 3: All-In on Couple’s Therapy for 6 Months
Path 3 is not a forever commitment. It’s a commitment to 6 months of couples therapy where each of you works on the things we have identified as your contributions, so we can change your negative interaction patterns.
Sage Finch Counseling
Are you Leaning In or Leaning Out?
I’m Leaning Out
You may feel trapped, tired, or just done. Maybe you’ve been unhappy for years, carrying the weight of constant tension or disconnection. Divorce might feel like freedom — a way to finally breathe, simplify your life, or find yourself again. Or it might feel like relief — an escape from the endless responsibility and emotional strain that’s worn you down.
But maybe it’s not that simple. Part of you still hesitates — because of your kids, your values, or the history you share. You might even feel deep sadness about letting go, unsure how to reconcile what you once hoped for with where you are now.
Discernment Counseling gives you a calm space to sort out what you really want — without pressure to stay or judgment if you’re leaning toward leaving. It’s a place to slow down, gain clarity, explore whether change might be possible, and make intentional decisions about the future of your marriage.
I’m Leaning In
Like leaning out, leaning in is also on a spectrum. You may be ambivalent, wanting to save your marriage, but also feeling somewhat hopeless. Or you might be panicked and anxious, desperately trying to hold on to the past or the future you can imagine. You might see hope and possibility — but it’s hard to hold on when your partner feels so far away. You might be scared, confused, or constantly on edge, trying to figure out what to say or do that won’t make things worse.
Discernment Counseling helps you find your footing in this painful in-between space and learn how to show up in ways that invite openness rather than pressure. You’ll have the time and space to examine what happened to the relationship, your negative interaction patterns, and each of your contributions to the problems to see if it might be possible to work on the marriage or if the two of you will go your separate ways.
Sage Finch Counseling
What to Expect
We can help with a variety of challenges, including:
Goal
The goal of Discernment Counseling is to gain confidence and clarity on the direction ofyour marriage based on a deeper understanding of what has happened and each of your contributions.
Time Limited
Discernment Counseling is limited to 5 sessions. This short timeframe creates a highly focused sense of urgency.
Highly Focused
We will be highly focused, not on venting, but in exploring your concerns, identifying the relationship patterns and each of your contributions to the problems.
Joint & Individual Time
We’ll start each session together, and I’ll meet with you individually, and we’ll conclude together to decide if you’d like another session (up to 5).
First Session
The first session is two hours long. We start together, then I’ll meet with each of you separately, and then we’ll end together and decide if you want another session.
Sessions 2-5
Sessions 2-5 are an hour and a half and follow the same format: starting together, individual time, then ending together.
No Pressure
This isn’t couples therapy. You won’t be pushed to “work on the marriage.” Instead, it’s a structured, non-judgmental space to decide whether you’re ready for that step — or whether it’s time to let go with clarity and compassion.
Insight into Patterns
Respect for Both Perspectives
Sage Finch Counseling
Discernment Counseling FAQs
What if one of us already wants a divorce?
How is this different from Couples Therapy?
Can you change my partner (after all, they are the real problem)?
The cycles of interaction in your relationship involve both of you. Discernment Counseling will focus on understanding your patterns of interaction and each of your contributions. However, rather than focusing on your partner’s contribution, each of you will focus on your own.
Is Discernment Counseling covered by insurance?
Because it’s a specialized form of counseling focused on decision-making rather than treatment of a diagnosis, most insurance plans do not cover Discernment Counseling. Payment is typically out-of-pocket at the time of service (you’ll have a card on file).
What happens after Discernment Counseling?
By the end, you’ll choose one of three paths:
1. Stay the same — taking no immediate action.
2. Move toward separation or divorce.
3. Commit to couples therapy for a set period (usually six months) with full effort.
Whatever you decide, you’ll leave with clarity and a plan for what comes next.
COLLIN COUNTY TEXAS
Take the First Step
Frisco LGBTQ+ therapy: Your dedicated space for healing and growth in Plano, Texas (just south of Frisco).
Sage Finch Counseling
8105 Rasor Blvd, Suite 225
Plano, TX 75075
Most of our clients come from Collin County and surrounding areas:
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Request a Free 15-Minute Consultation
* By clicking Submit, you permit us to contact you by email, phone, or text. Don’t worry – we won’t send you junk. It’s just to schedule a consultation and see if we can help you!