There is always a fly in the ointment. I guess that's life. Your MIL sounds to me like the kind of person who likes to hold up the hoops for other people to jump through at her bidding. I wouldn't reinforce that by showing the slightest interest in any schemes she comes up with, be it counseling, or whatever. And that's what I smell here with this counseling thing - a scheme. If something comes of it and your husband asks you to go, then maybe go to honor him . . . not to comply with her.

She sounds like a woman who does seek a lot of compliance out of people - to her will - and your husband may have a history of giving her too much.

In what way does she anticipate losing her son . . . just because he won't be working with his father? Or are you two contemplating moving a good distance away? Ask yourself honestly: how likely is it that this MIL is setting up anything in the interests of "healing," as opposed to her jockeying for more control?