Should I Stay or Should I Go? Finding Clarity When Your Relationship Is at a Crossroads

If you’re reading this page, you may be experiencing one of life’s most difficult dilemmas: wondering whether to stay in your marriage or committed relationship, or whether it’s time to leave. This decision can feel overwhelming, confusing, and emotionally exhausting. You might find yourself going back and forth, unable to trust your own judgment, or feeling stuck in an endless cycle of doubt.

You’re not alone, and seeking help to navigate this crossroads is a sign of strength and wisdom.

The Challenge of Ambivalence

Many people spend months or even years in a state of painful uncertainty about their relationship. You might notice yourself having thoughts like:

• “Some days I’m sure I need to leave, other days I can’t imagine it”
• “I don’t want to make a mistake I’ll regret”
• “What if the grass isn’t greener on the other side?”
• “I worry about hurting my partner, disrupting my children’s lives, or losing financial security”
• “Maybe I’m being unrealistic in my expectations”
• “Is this normal relationship difficulty, or is this truly not right for me?”

This ambivalence is normal, but it can keep you trapped in indecision while precious time passes and the emotional toll grows heavier.

My Approach to Helping You Gain Clarity

As a psychotherapist with expertise in relationship decision-making, I provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore this question honestly and thoroughly. I won’t tell you what to do—this deeply personal decision must be yours. Instead, I’ll help you access your own wisdom and clarity.

Our work together will focus on:

Understanding What’s Really Happening in Your Relationship

We’ll examine the patterns, dynamics, and specific issues in your relationship with clear eyes. This includes looking at communication problems, trust issues, emotional or physical intimacy concerns, compatibility questions, recurring conflicts, and whether there are issues like substance abuse, infidelity, or emotional abuse present.

Exploring Your Values, Needs, and Non-Negotiables

Many people lose touch with what they truly need and value when they’ve been focused on keeping the peace or making things work. We’ll clarify what matters most to you in a partnership and in your life, helping you distinguish between preferences and genuine needs.

Examining the Obstacles to Clarity

Sometimes our own fears, beliefs, or patterns keep us stuck in ambivalence. We’ll explore what might be making it difficult for you to see clearly—whether that’s fear of being alone, concerns about failure, guilt, financial worries, anxiety about the unknown, or messages from your family or culture about commitment.

Considering All Perspectives

We’ll thoughtfully explore what staying would look like, what leaving would look like, and whether there are changes that could genuinely transform the relationship. This includes considering the impact on children if you have them, examining whether couples therapy might be valuable, and assessing whether your partner is willing and able to address the issues that concern you.

Moving from Confusion to Confidence

Through our work, most clients find that the fog begins to lift. You’ll develop greater clarity about what you want, increased confidence in your judgment, reduced anxiety about the decision, and practical steps forward, whatever you decide.

Who This Therapy Is For

This work is appropriate for you if you’re genuinely uncertain about your relationship’s future and committed to making a thoughtful, considered decision. It’s also valuable if you’ve already decided to leave but need support navigating that process, or if you’ve decided to stay but want to do so with intention and clear boundaries.

This therapy may not be the right fit if you’re looking for someone to convince you to stay or leave, or if you’re in an actively dangerous relationship that requires immediate safety planning rather than deliberation.

What to Expect

Gaining clarity about a relationship decision typically takes time—usually several months of weekly therapy. This isn’t a process to be rushed. We’ll move at a pace that feels right for you, and you’ll have support throughout the entire journey, including after you’ve made your decision.

Some clients ultimately choose to stay and work on their relationship. Others decide to leave. Both outcomes can be the right choice, depending on your specific circumstances. What matters most is that you’ll move forward with clarity, confidence, and self-respect.

Take the Next Step

If you’re tired of feeling stuck and ready to find clarity about your relationship, I invite you to reach out. You deserve to feel certain about the path you’re choosing and supported as you walk it.

Call me at 410-970-4917 or email edgewaterpsychotherapy@gmail.com to schedule a consultation. Together, we’ll help you find the answers you’re seeking.