Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy · Manhattan · New York & Connecticut
Couples therapy for people who are used to having everything handled.
I help couples stop having the same fight, feel close again, and get through big transitions, like becoming parents, without losing each other. In person near Penn Station, or online anywhere in New York or Connecticut.
You might be here because…
You keep having the same fight, and it ends the same way every time.
You run a household and two careers well, but feel like roommates.
Trust was broken, and you want to know if it can be rebuilt.
A baby, a move or a loss changed everything, and you haven’t found your way back.
How I can help
Three ways to work together
Couples therapy
Weekly sessions for couples in conflict, drifting apart, recovering from an affair, or facing a major transition.
60 minutes · weekly or every other week
Individual therapy
For adults working through relationship patterns, family history, anxiety, or life transitions, with an attachment-focused and somatic lens.
60 minutes · weekly or every other week
Intensives
Focused half- or full-day sessions for couples and families who need more than an hour a week, or a strong start before weekly work.
By inquiry · ask during your free consultation
My approach
The fight is rarely about the dishes.
I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), one of the most researched approaches to couples therapy. Together we slow down the cycle you get stuck in, find what each of you is really asking for underneath it, and practice reaching for each other in a new way.
Most couples I see are thoughtful, capable people who are used to solving problems with their heads. EFT works with what happens in the body and the heart, which is usually where the change is.
I’m also direct. I’ll name what I see happening between you and challenge you both, with care, because the goal is real change, not years of talking in circles.
My work is trauma-informed, intuitive and culturally grounded. I integrate ancestral wisdom, somatic awareness, and deep respect for identity and lived experience. As a sex-positive, LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapist who holds an anti-oppressive lens, I offer a space where all aspects of who you are are welcomed.
- De-escalate the conflict that keeps repeating
- Rebuild trust and emotional and physical intimacy
- Talk about hard things without it turning into a fight
About Lilly
Fifteen years and more than 15,000 hours with couples.
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist, and President of the New York Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy, where I help train other therapists in this work. I’m also trained in Internal Family Systems, AEDP and Somatic Experiencing.
I’m a first-generation Mexican American, a Spanish speaker, and a mother of two. I work with couples of every background and structure. Many of the couples I see are biracial or multicultural, high-achieving, or both.
Fees & insurance
Clear fees, and help using your out-of-network benefits.
I’m an out-of-network provider. You pay at each session, and I send a monthly superbill you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement. Before we start, ask your plan: “What are my out-of-network benefits for outpatient mental health?”
Getting started
Reaching out is the hardest part. Here’s what happens next.
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1
Book a free 15-minute consultation
Pick a time that works. Couples are welcome to join together, but one of you is fine.
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2
See if we’re a fit
We’ll talk about what’s bringing you in and what you hope will change. If I’m not the right person, I’ll point you to someone who is.
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3
Start sessions
I’ll send your paperwork through a secure client portal, and we’ll set a regular weekday time.
Ready when you are.
I see clients in person in Manhattan and online for clients in New York and Connecticut. Weekday appointments.
Prefer to write first? Email liliana@lilianadoyon.com
Common questions
Do you take insurance?
I’m out-of-network. You pay at each session and receive a monthly superbill to submit to your plan; many plans reimburse part of the cost.
Do we both need to be on the consultation?
It helps, but it isn’t required. Many couples start with whoever made the first move.
How long does couples therapy take?
It depends on what you’re working on. Many couples come weekly for a few months; we’ll talk about what makes sense for you.
Do you offer evening or weekend sessions?
Not at this time. I offer weekday appointments, in person in Manhattan and online in New York and Connecticut.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please give at least 24 hours’ notice. Sessions canceled with less notice are charged in full.
For therapists referring a couple
Thank you. I keep space for referrals from colleagues. Email me directly and I’ll reply within one business day.