Newswise — Many marriages and committed relationships that are struggling have at least one partner considering divorce or a break-up. Sometimes both partners have mixed feelings. Sometimes only one partner really wants to do couples therapy.
“Discernment counseling is an option for these ‘couples on the brink,’” explains Dr. Fisher. “It is a brief approach to helping couples decide whether to divorce or work on their marriages.”
The goal of discernment counseling is to confidently choose one of three paths:1. Status quo — no changes, no therapy2. Separation or divorce3. Commitment to six months of couples therapy with divorce off the table
“Discernment counseling can help couples find more clarity about their relationship, and feel more confident of their ultimate decision,” explains Dr. Hardy.
Dr. Fisher is a Postdoctoral Clinical Fellow at The Family Institute. His primary area of expertise is in working with couples. Dr. Hardy is the Dr. John J.B. Morgan Postdoctoral Clinical Research Fellow at The Family Institute. His clinical expertise lies in helping couples work through sexual desire differences, extramarital affairs, communication problems, conflict, and divorce.
To speak to Drs. Fisher and Hardy about discernment counseling, or to learn more about The Family Institute, please contact Cyndi Schu, Director of Public Relations, at cschu@family-institute or 312-609-5300, ext. 483.
ABOUT THE FAMILY INSTITUTE AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY –The Family Institute at Northwestern University (www.family-institute.org) is committed to strengthening and healing families and individuals from all walks of life through clinical service, education and research. An affiliate of Northwestern University, The Family Institute is a unique, innovative not-for-profit organization, governed by its own independent Board of Directors and responsible for its own funding. The Institute offers a wide range of high quality mental health counseling through our staff practice and our sliding-fee scale Bette D. Harris Family and Child Clinic, where we are committed to serving at-risk, under-resourced communities. The Family Institute also operates two nationally-renowned graduate programs in marriage and family therapy and counseling psychology in affiliation with Northwestern University, and conducts cutting-edge research projects that lead to a better understanding and treatment of mental health issues.
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