Challenging the leaning-out partner’s narrative that their spouse cannot change is a cornerstone skill in discernment counseling. This involves helping the leaning-out partner see their role in the relationship dynamics and the potential for change through couples therapy. By using a systemic analysis, discernment counselors can shift the leaning-out partner’s perspective from being a passive recipient of their spouse’s actions to an active participant in the relationship.
Key Points:
Avoiding Sympathy and Empathy:
Systemic Analysis:
Normalizing Couple Struggles:
Exploring Alternatives:
Avoiding Exaggerated Ideas:
Encouraging Alignment:
Conclusion:
Challenging the leaning-out partner's narrative involves avoiding sympathy, conducting a systemic analysis, normalizing couple struggles, exploring alternatives, avoiding exaggerated ideas, and encouraging alignment. By helping the leaning-out partner see their role in the relationship dynamics and the potential for change, discernment counselors can support them in opening up new perspectives on their marriage and the possibility of growth through couples therapy.