Fourth Session Priority

DC 2025 Fourth Session Priority

Session four in discernment counseling is crucial for continuing the discernment process when a decision has not yet been made. This session focuses on deepening the understanding of the relationship and each partner’s contributions to the problems, with the goal of achieving clarity and confidence about a direction for the marriage.

DC Handout - Complete Guide to Session Four

Key Points:

Session Reminder:

Begin the session by reminding the couple that this is session four out of a maximum of five sessions in discernment counseling.
Reiterate the goals of discernment counseling, which are to achieve clarity and confidence about a direction for the marriage based on a deeper understanding of the relationship and each person's contributions to the problems.

Check-In:

Start with a check-in, asking each partner where they are in their journey towards clarity and confidence about the direction for their relationship.
Listen to each person's perspective and assess their current level of discernment.

Ongoing Discernment:

Emphasize that session four is focused on ongoing discernment, rather than a transition to one of the paths.
Highlight that this session is a critical opportunity to achieve clarity and confidence, as session five is typically a transition session.

Bringing It Home:

Recognize that session four is the last chance to bring the discernment process to a conclusion, as session five is often used for transitioning to a chosen path.
Focus on helping the couple gain the clarity and confidence needed to make a decision about their marriage.

Conclusion:

Session four in ongoing discernment counseling involves reminding the couple of the session's goals and their progress, conducting a check-in to assess their current level of discernment, and focusing on achieving clarity and confidence about a direction for their marriage. This session is crucial for bringing the discernment process to a conclusion and preparing for the next steps in their relationship journey.

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