PATH 2
Gain Clarity About What Comes Next
What Should I Do?
One of the most painful places to be in a relationship is not knowing what comes next.
You may be asking yourself:
"Should I stay or should I leave?"
"Can this relationship be repaired?"
"Am I giving up too soon?"
"How do I know when enough is enough?"
Perhaps one partner wants to work on the relationship while the other feels uncertain. Maybe you've already tried therapy and aren't sure if anything can change. Or perhaps you're feeling stuck between the fear of leaving and the fear of staying.
When you're standing at a relationship crossroads, the pressure to make the "right" decision can feel overwhelming.
Discernment Counseling was designed specifically for this stage.
What Is Discernment Counseling?
Discernment Counseling is a structured process designed for couples who are uncertain about the future of their relationship.
Unlike traditional couples therapy, the goal is not immediately fixing the relationship. The goal is gaining clarity.
Together, we explore:
What has happened in the relationship?
How did we get here?
What has already been tried?
What role has each partner played in the current situation?
What options are available moving forward?
Rather than rushing toward a decision, discernment counseling helps couples slow down long enough to make thoughtful choices based on understanding rather than fear, guilt, pressure, or panic.
Who Is Discernment Counseling For?
Discernment Counseling is often helpful when:
One partner wants to work on the relationship and the other is unsure.
Divorce or separation has been discussed.
Previous therapy has not been successful.
Trust has been significantly damaged.
A major betrayal has occurred.
The relationship feels stuck in ongoing conflict.
One or both partners are questioning whether change is possible.
Many couples come to discernment counseling because they are not ready to commit to couples therapy—but they are also not ready to walk away.
We aim to break the stereotype of what therapy is supposed to be like, and what your relationship should look like.
— Dr. Dana McNeil, PsyD (Certified Gottman Method Therapist) - Founder
Why Work With A Certified Discernment Counselor?
Discernment Counseling is a specialized process that differs significantly from traditional couples therapy.
Our team includes Certified Discernment Counselors who have received advanced training in helping couples navigate relationship uncertainty, mixed-agenda situations, and difficult decisions about the future of a relationship.
Rather than pushing couples toward reconciliation or separation, certified discernment counselors provide a structured framework designed to help individuals and couples gain clarity about their next steps.
This process is particularly valuable when one partner is leaning out of the relationship while the other hopes to preserve it.
When emotions are running high, it can be difficult to know whether you're responding to a temporary crisis, a longstanding pattern, or a relationship that has reached a true crossroads. Discernment Counseling creates a space where both partners can better understand what has happened, what has been tried, and what possibilities still exist.
Hear From Our Clients
Hear from those who've experienced positive changes through our services.
“Dr. Dana made me feel so seen. I never felt shame for the trauma I’d caused. It was so healthy and helpful to find ways to navigate our conversations.”
“Thank you so much! It exceeded my expectations. You made me feel comfortable and supported.”
“I learned I need to take a 20 minute break when flooded, ask for clarity in facial expressions, use gentle startup and take ownership even if its small.”
“Gave me many tools and insights, I’m excited to implement them.”
“I couldn’t have had a better experience. Dana is so caring and smart and easily helped us navigate through our issues.”
“I learned that I need to ask for my needs and also take a break when I feel flooded.”
“I had an excellent experience, it helped me get clarity and learn valuable tools.”
“Dana was really effective at explaining the research, helping facilitate the conversation with figuring out how to address our biggest challenges.”
“Really pleased with the experience. Absolutely exceeded my expectations.”
“This helped lower the walls in our relationship.”
“Dana is superb, gracious, and kind. We’re very grateful.”
“I gained the clarity I was looking for!”
“Grateful to our extended therapist and her extended time! And of course, her dog!”
“The intensive process and longer sessions are incredibly helpful to push things further and get real work done.”
“The three-day package was necessary to enable the “emotional stretch” and that’s when we saw the best results.”
“This was a much needed intense session but helped promote healing and focus to decide where we go in life together.”
“This was well worth it and I’d definitely do it again!”
“This helped us sit and have uncomfortable conversations that were long overdue.”
“Exhausting but I loved everything about this!”
“This helped us have epiphanies and transformative thoughts.”
“Thank you so much for taking the time to really understand our issues and providing us with all the tools to use when future issues arise.”
“I feel like we have made huge progress on major issues with these three days.”
“Everything made me feel safe and comfortable here.”
“Therapist is great at listening and helping us with communication.”
“Absolutely, it was better than I expected and gave us great tools.”
“Empathetic and responsive.”
“Very accommodative and understanding.”
“I definitely feel Therapy Getaway helped with our relationship goals because it allowed a deeper dive in a structured fashion, with tools to continue improving our relationship.”
“Great session. They know their stuff and is really good at helping us find the language to effectively communicate.”
“They were incredibly instrumental in relating all the tools that my partner and I needed in areas where we struggle.”
“Therapy Getaway absolutely helped our relationship. They were amazing.”
“This was a very beneficial process. Dana made it easy for us to open up about every difficult issue we had been struggling with. We now have good tools.”
“It seemed at first that 2.5 days was long, but it feels so good to be in therapy that I wish it was 3-5 days!”
“Therapy Getaway immensely helped us talk about our problems in a safe place.”
“Dana is very experienced and sensitive to peoples situations and knows how to make you feel comfortable as if you were in your own home.”
“Learned a lot of coping tools. Dana was wonderful.”
What Makes Discernment Different?
One of the biggest misconceptions about relationship counseling is that every therapist is trying to save every relationship. At The Relationship Place, we believe that clarity should come before commitment.
We do not begin with an agenda about whether you should stay together or separate. Instead, we help you understand the situation more fully so that whatever decision you make is thoughtful, informed, and intentional.
Sometimes couples decide to recommit to the relationship and begin couples therapy. Sometimes they decide separation is the healthiest path forward. Both outcomes can be successful when they emerge from clarity rather than confusion.
Hi I'm Pamela!
Our Client Ambassador
We are looking forward to speaking with you!
Looking to deepen your connection?
What Success Looks Like
Success in discernment counseling is not measured by whether a couple stays together.
Success is measured by whether both partners gain a clearer understanding of themselves, their relationship, and their available options.
Many clients leave discernment counseling feeling:
Less overwhelmed
More confident in their decision-making
Better able to communicate
More aware of relationship patterns
Clearer about what they need moving forward
The goal is not to force an outcome. The goal is to create clarity.
You Don't Have To Figure It Out Alone
Relationship crossroads can feel incredibly lonely. The uncertainty, pressure, and emotional weight of major relationship decisions often leave people feeling stuck. You do not have to navigate that process by yourself.
Whether your next step is recommitting to the relationship, exploring couples therapy, or moving toward separation with intention, we can help you gain the clarity needed to move forward with confidence.
