M8: Stay or Go? Working with Divorce Ambivalent Clients

In any given year, around 22% of all married people have serious divorce ideation. Thoughts of divorce are dynamic, however, and most people who seriously consider divorce end up staying in their marriage. Not surprisingly, divorce ambivalence is a frequent topic in therapy, but training programs provide limited guidance on how to intervene with these clients. In fact, research suggests that therapists often inadvertently endorse divorce without a full understanding of the relationship dynamics. This workshop offers therapists a set of research-backed tools and concrete strategies to support clients navigating divorce ambivalence, whether it leads to a referral for couples work, moving towards separation/divorce, or accepting the status quo. Discernment Counseling is introduced as an option for couples on the brink of divorce. This short-term, highly focused alternative to traditional couples therapy seeks to help couples gain clarity and confidence in their decision-making about a path for their marriage.