Skip to content

Couples Therapy &
Relational Guidance

A structured, research-grounded approach for couples who want clearer communication, steadier connection, and a path forward.

Even solid relationships can lose their footing.
When connection thins, small moments start to land harder than they should.

It’s exhausting to keep holding things together by yourself.

Here, we slow the moment down –
so you can see what’s happening with enough clarity
to move together again.

A quick hello from me

How the work unfolds

A grounded path for steady change

Each couple’s path is unique, yet the work often follows three clear phases –
learning, practice, and integration.
The structure is consistent, but the pace adapts to what you need.

Process illustration showing three phases

Learning

Once you decide to begin this work, the first full session focuses on understanding what’s happening between you – what feels steady, what feels difficult, and what you hope might change.

You’ll also complete a private relationship questionnaire at home.
This gives us a shared picture of your dynamic, so the work that follows is focused and well-paced.

This phase builds clarity and a basic sense of steadiness before we move into more active work.

Guided Practice

In 90-minute sessions, we slow down the moments that usually escalate or shut down.
You’ll practice new ways of speaking, listening, and responding, with my support.

Some conversations will be familiar; others may clarify things you haven’t noticed before.

The aim here is simple: to help you stay connected even when emotions rise, and to navigate conflict with more predictability and confidence.

Integration

Between sessions, you may try small changes or new ways of relating in daily life – always at your own pace.

As things begin to settle, sessions often become less frequent or pause with a clear sense of where you are and how you can continue on your own.

Most couples begin with a complimentary 20-minute Orientation Call to see whether the approach fits and whether now is the right time. If it makes sense to continue, we then move into the structured process described above.

Learn more about the full approach
Gustav Béen

The grounding behind this work

I’m Gustav Béen. My background includes psychology, the Gottman Method, and Internal Family Systems (IFS). I guide couples through structured, experiential work – and I also work with individuals who want steadier ways of navigating their inner world and relationships. My practice is supported by reflective consultation and continued training.

Couples work follows a clear, research-informed structure. Individual sessions are more flexible and focus on helping you make sense of what happens inside and between you in moments that feel difficult.

Clients describe my presence as calm, direct, and steady. My role is to help you speak more clearly, listen with more ease, and understand your patterns without pressure or judgment.

What supports this work is simple: clarity, steadiness, and a commitment to helping you navigate your relationships with more confidence and less strain.

Read more about the approach and my credentials

A few voices from those who’ve done this work – quietly, imperfectly, in their own time.

Working with Gustav felt different from anything we’d tried before. His work is structured, deeply human, and never formulaic. The parts-based lens helped us understand why our conflicts escalated so quickly and why certain moments pulled us apart. He named things gently but clearly, and we were able to stay present without shutting down. What stood out most was how he tracked small shifts between us and helped us return to connection before the distance grew. The tools we learned changed how we relate day to day.
Laura R., between Costa Tropical and Montréal
I came in expecting the usual “talk about your feelings” routine, but that wasn’t it. Gustav was direct, showed us the research, and explained why we kept having the same argument every two weeks. It wasn’t always comfortable, but it worked. We learned how to have difficult conversations without one of us shutting down. Five months later, we’re not “fixed,” but we understand each other better and things don’t spiral the way they used to.
R.T., UK+Spain
We started working with Gustav while living in different countries, and the online format worked surprisingly well. He helped us slow down, hear each other more clearly, and notice a few habits that were getting in the way. The changes were simple but made a real difference as we moved through a busy period in our lives.
Elias and Andrea, Virginia, currently Lisbon
When I met Gustav, everything felt chaotic and I reacted very strongly to things. He was calm and clear with me, and somehow saw what I was trying to say even when I couldn’t explain it well. The sessions helped me understand myself better and respond in a way that doesn’t create more conflict. I feel lighter now.
– Katja, individual session client

Begin with a conversation

Most clients start with a 20-minute call to see how this work feels.

You can book directly from here – a first conversation to understand what you need and whether the approach fits.

›Is this the right first step?

Many clients begin with the Orientation Call to get a clear sense of fit. You don’t need to have everything figured out – the call helps us understand what brings you here.

The Orientation Call gives us space to talk briefly about what’s been happening, what you’re hoping for, and what working together could look like. It’s a simple way to see whether the rhythm and approach feel right for you.

›What is the Orientation Call?

A 20-minute online meeting to talk, ask questions, and get oriented. Low-pressure and straightforward.

The call is complimentary and held online. You’ll receive a secure meeting link automatically – no installation needed. We’ll talk about why you’re reaching out, what you’re hoping to change, and how the work might support you. Both partners are recommended to join. There’s no commitment to continue; it’s simply a first step.

›How do sessions take place?

The work is primarily online, using a secure meeting link.

Sessions are held online through a secure GDPR-compliant platform. The link is sent automatically after booking, and no installation is required. If we continue working together after the Orientation Call, all next steps are outlined clearly in advance.

Not sure if it’s the right fit?
You’re welcome to reach out first.

Booking & Contact

Field Notes

Tiny hinges that open heavy doors

Essays on communication, emotion, and the craft of connection.

Discover all Field Notes