SexTherapy-Online specializes in Discernment Counseling for Sexual and Relationship Issues. Discernment Counseling is a model of counseling that helps a relationship gain confidence and clarity on their relationship when faced with challenges that might make or break the relationship.
Discernment Counseling was originally created by William Doherty, PhD and Steven Harris for couples on the brink of divorce (Helping Couples on the Brink of Divorce: Discernment Counseling for Troubled Relationships, 2017). It offers a 5-session protocol for what Doherty and Harris (2017) call a “mixed agenda” relationship, where one partner of a two-person relationship is leaning in and one partner of a two-person relationship is leaning out.
Our specialty in Discernment Counseling relates to sexual and relational issues, and is expanded upon the leaning in/leaning out framework to focus on whether a relationship can continue faced with gridlocked issues around gender, sexual, erotic and relationship orientation discrepancies.
Discernment Counseling related to Sexual Issues
Many relationships seek out relationship therapy because they have reached an impasse around the sexual aspect of their relationship. They seek confidence and clarity on whether their relationship can survive in the face of a sexual difference, issue, betrayal, or other sexual and intimacy issues.
Discernment Counseling related to Mixed Orientation
We see a lot of relationships confronting issues related to mixed orientations related to Gender, Sexual, Erotic, and Relationship Diversity. Some examples of this include:
- Gender Mixed Orientation- When a partner(s) identifies as gender diverse (trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming, agender) and the other partner(s) identify as cisgender or when a partner decides to transition in some capacity and that changes the dynamic and orientation of the relationship
- Sexual Mixed Orientation- We often see relationships facing a partner(s) bisexuality or pansexuality in what has previously been known as heterosexual relationship or coming out later in life and navigating whether the relationship can stay together with this mixed orientation. Another common example is when one partner(s) identifies as asexual or celibate and the other partner(s) identifies as a sexual person/allosexual.
- Erotic Mixed Orientation-Another common example of this is when a partner(s) desires erotic diversity, such as trying new things, being adventurous in their sexuality, wants to explore kink/BDSM and/or certain fetishes in their relationship, whereas the other partner(s) identifies as more traditional/vanilla. likes stability in their sexual relationship, or identifies as aerotic.
- Relational Structure Mixed Orientation- This is our most common relationship that sees us and it generally looks likes a monogamous relationship structure might fit one (or more) of the partners, but a non-monogamous or arelational relationship structure feels more authentic to one (or more) of the partners.
Five Session Discernment Counseling Package
Two Partners
2 20-minute Initial Screening Appointments
2 90-minute Joint Session with Both Partners
2 75-minute Individual Session with Each Partner
2 30-minute Consultation Calls with Collaborating Professionals
Fee: $1500*
Three Partners
3 20-minute Initial Screening Appointments
2 90-minute Joint Session with All Partners
3 75-minute Individual Session with Each Partner
3 30-minute Consultation Calls with Collaborating Professionals
Fee: $2000*
For more than three partners, please reach out to us as we generally like to collaborate with another therapist for four or more clients in a Discernment Counseling process.
*Package must be paid in full before start of sessions. All credit and debit card charges are subject to a 3% Credit Card Fee
Discernment Counseling Fees (A La Carte)
20-Minute Initial Screening Appointments for Each Partner
Fee: $135* for each session
90-Minute Joint Session with Partners
Fee: $350*
75-Minute Individual Session with Each Partner
Fee: $335*
30-minute Consultation Call with Collaborating Professionals
Fee: $60* per call
*All credit and debit card charges are subject to a 3% Credit Card Fee