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Therapist Feels like Someone is “Too Fragile” for Discernment Counseling

DC 2025 Therapist Feels like Someone is “Too Fragile” for Discernment Counseling

Key Points

Avoiding Distractions:

As a therapist, it is crucial to avoid getting distracted by the personal vulnerabilities or apparent fragility of one of the spouses.
Do not decide against offering discernment counseling based on these vulnerabilities unless the individual needs hospitalization.

Crisis Situation:

Couples seeking discernment counseling are typically in a marital crisis and are often still living together.
They have been screened for eligibility, coercion, and risk for violence.

Personal Functioning:

Discernment counseling is suitable for individuals at various levels of personal functioning.
If a person is functioning enough to be at home and raising their kids while dealing with a difficult marital situation, proceed with discernment counseling.

Research Data:

Research shows that individual therapists often get impressed by a person's vulnerabilities and fragility, leading them to offer individual therapy instead of couple counseling.
This approach often results in the marriage deteriorating further.

Priority of Discernment Counseling:

The priority for couples in discernment counseling is to figure out a direction for their marriage.
The priority for couples in discernment counseling is to figure out a direction for their marriage.

Ethical Considerations:

Ensure that the focus remains on the marital crisis and the couple's need to discern a direction for their relationship.
Avoid sending couples to individual therapy unless absolutely necessary, as this can often lead to the marriage deteriorating.

Conclusion:

In discernment counseling, it is essential to stay focused on the marital crisis and the couple's need to discern a direction for their relationship. Avoid getting distracted by personal vulnerabilities or fragility unless the individual needs hospitalization. By following these guidelines, you can provide effective discernment counseling and help couples navigate their marital crisis more successfully.

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