316 When couples come into therapy on the brink of separation or divorce, a clinician's initial interventions may make the difference between the life or death of that marriage. At this critical point, the therapist's own values about commitment and freedom are crucial to determining how the couple will work through the question of whether to stay together or separate. This workshop will demonstrate how to explore value issues without imposing the therapist's perspective on the couple, allowing them to make their own decisions. Participants will learn a format for working with couples who are unsure of how they want to proceed that clarifies their individual agendas and prepares them for taking the next step regarding their relationship. We'll explore how to help the partner who wants to leave understand the issues and consider other options, and how to help the partner who wants to stay prepare to cope if reconciliation isn't possible.