Bilingual Psychologist in English and Spanish.
Gottman Couples Therapist.
FAQ
Couples seek clarity before committing to therapy, and this page is designed to provide exactly that. Here you will find answers to the key questions couples ask about online couples therapy, the Gottman Method, the assessment process, intimacy work, LGBTQI+ inclusivity, marathons, and what you can expect from working with me. This overview will help you evaluate whether this evidence-based, structured approach aligns with your goals as a couple.
How does bilingual couples therapy work if we are not fluent in each other’s language?
Many couples speak different native languages or feel more emotionally connected when expressing themselves in one language instead of another. This is especially common in international and multicultural relationships.
In bilingual couples therapy, you do not need to be fluent in one another’s language for the process to be effective.
Here is how I support couples in this situation:
You may each speak in the language that feels most natural to you, whether English or Spanish.
I translate meaning when needed, ensuring both partners feel fully understood without interrupting the emotional flow.
I pay close attention to how language shapes communication patterns, emotional expression and misunderstandings.
We address cultural nuances directly, since language and culture influence expectations, tone, conflict styles and intimacy.
Tools from Gottman couples therapy online are adapted to bilingual dynamics, allowing both partners to develop shared skills even if they process information differently.
Bilingual therapy is not just about translating words. It is about translating meanings, emotions and intentions so both partners can connect more deeply.
Many multicultural couples say that bilingual therapy helps them understand each other in ways they could not achieve in a single-language setting.
What kinds of problems can we work on in therapy?
I work with a wide range of relational challenges, including:
communication difficulties
emotional distance or decreased intimacy
recurring conflict
infidelity or breaches of trust
sexual issues or mismatched desire
trauma influencing relational dynamics
This list is intentionally concise but reflects the main reasons why couples seek evidence-based couples therapy.
What can we expect when we begin therapy?
The therapeutic process follows a structured and research-based sequence that ensures clarity and effectiveness.
1. Assessment Phase
The first stage is dedicated to fully understanding your relationship:
a 1-hour joint session
two individual interviews (50 minutes each)
online assessment using the Gottman Relationship Checkup
a feedback session with a detailed analysis and a personalized treatment plan
2. Treatment Phase
During this stage, we actively work on:
improving communication patterns
managing conflict constructively
strengthening emotional and sexual intimacy
rebuilding trust
addressing challenges such as infidelity, trauma or recurring arguments
3. Follow-Up Phase
As your skills strengthen, sessions may be spaced out to ensure long-term integration.
How can Gottman couples therapy online help us as a couple?
The Gottman Method is one of the most respected and evidence-based couples therapy models worldwide. Backed by more than 40 years of research with thousands of couples, it helps partners:
communicate with greater clarity and empathy
manage conflict without escalation
strengthen emotional and physical intimacy
rebuild trust when it has been damaged
increase connection, affection, and commitment
In relationship therapy with the Gottman Method, we use structured tools, guided exercises, and a clear roadmap tailored to your specific goals.
Is online Gottman marriage counseling as effective as in-person therapy?
Yes. Many couples prefer Gottman couples therapy online, especially international, multicultural, or long-distance couples.
Online sessions include:
Zoom Health (HIPAA-compliant, encrypted)
digital tools from the Gottman Method
structured exercises adapted to online work
session summaries and between-session practices
This format makes therapy accessible, flexible, and equally effective.
How do you maintain neutrality and transparency in online couples therapy?
To ensure an ethical and balanced process:
all communication takes place in a shared WhatsApp or Telegram group
individual concerns relevant to therapy are discussed openly in joint sessions
I avoid private alliances with either partner
This structure promotes fairness, clarity, and trust in the therapeutic work.
How do you work with sexual concerns or sexual problems?
Sexual concerns are common and completely valid reasons to seek therapy. Many couples, including LGBTQI+ partners, experience difficulties with desire, anxiety around intimacy, performance pressure, or a sense of disconnection.
My approach to sexual issues is warm, respectful, and grounded in evidence based practice.
Sensate Focus
I integrate Sensate Focus, a set of therapeutic exercises that helps couples:
reduce anxiety around physical intimacy or expectations
reconnect with bodily sensations and pleasure
rebuild comfort, trust and desire gradually
shift from performance to presence
create a safe foundation for renewed intimacy
Gottman Method interventions
Alongside Sensate Focus, I use Gottman based strategies to address:
emotional distance that affects sexual connection
unresolved conflict or resentment
difficulty expressing sexual needs
intimacy challenges after betrayal or trauma
Inclusive work with LGBTQI+ couples
Sexual intimacy is different for every couple. I work respectfully and competently with:
same sex couples
queer and gender diverse relationships
non binary partners
mixed orientation couples
All intimacy work is adapted to the identities, comfort levels and relational agreements of the couple.
Why do you offer Couples Therapy Marathon sessions, and how do they help?
Some couples benefit from the traditional weekly format, while others need a more focused and intensive approach. When a relationship is in crisis, when issues have built up over time, or when a couple wants to go deeper into specific areas, weekly sessions may feel too slow or fragmented. This is where Couples Therapy Marathon sessions become especially helpful.
What is a Marathon Session?
A marathon is a three-hour intensive session designed to work in depth on the core issues affecting the relationship.
This extended format provides enough continuity, structure and emotional space to make meaningful progress in a single day.
Why I offer them
I offer marathon sessions because they allow couples to:
address urgent or painful situations without waiting weeks between steps
work through complex topics in a calm, uninterrupted environment
explore emotional and relational patterns with greater depth
reduce escalation by having time to regulate, reflect and reconnect
build momentum and clarity more quickly
Many couples find that spending a significant block of time together in a guided, structured setting creates breakthroughs that are difficult to achieve in shorter sessions.
How I work during a Marathon
My approach integrates the core principles of relationship therapy with the Gottman Method, adapted to a longer format. A marathon typically includes:
a guided exploration of the key issues affecting the relationship
Gottman-based interventions for communication and conflict resolution
exercises for emotional and physical intimacy
opportunities for repair conversations
if relevant, structured work around betrayal, trauma, or accumulated resentment
tailored tools the couple can begin using immediately
Because the session is extended, there is enough time to slow down, process emotions, revisit patterns, and practice new skills without feeling rushed.
When a Marathon Is Most Helpful
Couples often choose this format when they are:
experiencing high-conflict cycles
navigating a crisis or major turning point
working through infidelity or a significant rupture in trust
feeling emotionally disconnected
wanting to go deeper into intimacy, sexuality or long-standing issues
needing accelerated support due to limited availability or distance
Marathons are also effective for couples in online couples therapy, including international partners or long-distance relationships, because the extended format maximizes the time they have together.
How can we contact you if we still have questions?
If you still have questions or need clarification about any part of the process, you can contact me directly at ps.diego.duran@gmail.com or via WhatsApp at +34 658 137 165. I do not offer free consultations, but I am always willing to address concerns that may arise before beginning therapy, as well as during and after the couples therapy process. My goal is to ensure that you feel informed, supported and clear about how the work unfolds.
Schedule the day and time of your session
