You deserve to feel secure & connected in your relationship

Discernment & Couples Counseling in California & Minnesota

 You’re considering couples counseling - It’s possible for you to rediscover the joy and connection in your relationship again.

You’ve heard people say relationships are hard work, but you never expected it to feel like this.

Some days, it feels like your relationship is stuck in a loop, no matter how hard you try to move forward. You might feel caught between moments of frustration and disconnection, struggling to reconnect and rebuild. It can seem like no matter what you do, the same issues keep surfacing, affecting your peace and happiness.

Whatever it is that you’re experiencing, you’re beginning to notice the impact on every aspect of your life together:

  • You find yourselves avoiding conversations or situations that spark conflict.

  • You feel intense emotions like anger or sadness unexpectedly resurfacing during interactions.

  • You notice that the same issues keep coming up, making it hard to break the cycle.

Through couples counseling, you can build on your strengths and reignite the connection that brought you together.

Your relationship is a dance and you’re ready to be in sync with each other again. I can help.

Couples counseling can help

The pathway forward might not feel clear now, but you can enjoy your relationship again. Couples counseling can help you get there.

Couples counseling can help you:

  • Understand and work through the issues impacting your relationship.

  • Develop and apply effective communication skills to address conflict and stress.

  • Have a safe, compassionate space to explore and resolve underlying relationship challenges.

  • Move forward together, strengthening your bond and renewing your connection.

I’ll guide you through this process, tailoring each step to your unique relationship dynamics. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone; I’ll be with you every step of the way. My approach to couples counseling is rooted in empathy for your relationship’s stress, not in taking sides. I look forward to supporting you in rediscovering the joy and connection you both deserve.

 You might not be sure if you want to work on your relationship, and that’s okay too. Discernment Counseling can help.

Maybe your relationship feels like it has crumbled beyond repair and one (or both) of you is considering separation.

If your relationship is at a crossroads and you’re unsure of a path forward, couples counseling might feel a little out of reach. You might be caught between hope and uncertainty, struggling to decide whether or not you’d like to stay in your relationship. The questions and doubt can weigh heavily, affecting your peace of mind.

Whatever it is that you’re experiencing, you’re beginning to notice the impact on every aspect of life together:

  • You find yourselves avoiding discussions about the future.

  • You feel conflicting emotions about the relationship’s direction.

  • You’re unsure whether to stay, separate, or invest in couples counseling

 It’s okay if you don’t know whether or not you want to stay in your relationship. We can address this in an open and safe way.

Discernment counseling can help

You might not know whether or not you want to make changes in your relationship or even stay together, and that’s okay. We can figure it out together.

Discernment Counseling can help you:

  • Clarify the core issues impacting your relationship.

  • Explore your feelings and options about how to move forward.

  • Create a space to discuss your relationship’s future with compassion and honesty.

  • Decide on one of three paths: maintaining the relationship as it is, pursuing separation, or moving forward with couples counseling.

I’ll walk through this process with you in a non-judgmental and supportive manner. You don’t have to navigate your concerns alone or with the pressure to “fix” things. My approach is centered on understanding and supporting both partners equally, helping you find the clarity and direction needed for moving forward.

Frequently asked questions about Discernment & Couples Counseling

FAQs

  • Discernment Counseling is a short term (no more than 5 sessions) process where couples can honestly evaluate the current state of their relationship. It is designed for relationships where at least one member of the couple is unsure if they want to stay in the relationship. The goal of Discernment Counseling is to decide on one of three paths:

    • Committing to couples counseling to repair the relationship.

    • Divorce or separation.

    • Keeping things the way they are - because doing nothing is still an option.

    Couples Counseling takes a deeper approach into addressing and resolving concerns within the relationship. This can be for married couples, engaged partners, and even divorced couples who want to (or need to) communicate better. This is generally a longer-term approach and takes commitment from both members in the relationship.

  • My goal is to show up for each partner in an open and genuine way. Whether you are seeking routine maintenance in your relationship or seriously considering divorce, you deserve a non-judgmental therapist who can:

    • Meet you and your partner where you're at, because I understand counseling can feel vulnerable.

    • Stay neutral and offer gentle feedback - it isn't my job to shame, blame, or pick sides.

    • Focus on your strengths while you work to address the stressors.

    Regardless of if my role is as your Discernment Counselor or your couples counselor, I always am committed to creating a safe space for all relationships.

  • Fill out a Contact Form or email me at cedarandivycounseling@gmail.com so we can set up a free consultation!

Relationship stress can feel isolating - I’m here to walk through it with you.