5 Best Online Marriage Counseling Services 2023: Couples Therapy
Updated on
- Written by Lindsey Desoto, RDN, LD
Medically reviewed by
Gopal Ramakrishnan, Ph.D.
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BetterHelp
- Switch therapists easily
- Offers therapy tailored to LGBTQ+
- Best for individual relationship counseling
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Talkspace
- Provides individual, couples, and teen therapy
- Therapists are fully licensed
- Accepts insurance
$85 off your first month: HEALTHCANAL85
Online-therapy.com
- Unlimited messaging
- Therapists will respond within 24 hours
- Offers yoga and meditation classes
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Online marriage counseling helps partners dig deeper into their relationships to gain better insight into negative behaviors that occur and how to have healthy relationships. They also help teach conflict resolution. It is very similar to traditional therapy but offers online relationship counseling at the convenience of your home or location of choice.
The results of your online therapy may vary based on a variety of factors, from the therapist you choose to the platform, you decide to use.
While online therapy is convenient, easy to use, and affordable, it is not for everyone. If you are seeking relationship therapy, there are many factors one must take into consideration before starting a couple’s therapy.
Best Online Marriage Counseling Services In (September. 2023)
- BetterHelp – Editor’s Choice
- Talkspace – Best Full Therapy
- Online-therapy.com – Best For Individual Relationship Therapy
- Regain – Best For Couples Therapy
- Our Relationship – Best Self-help Program
- E-therapy Cafe – Best Short-term Therapy
- MD Live – Best For Mental Health
Why Should I Use Online Couples Therapy?
Online relationship therapy is increasingly popular these days as more and more people are on the go, and couples may not be available to meet up for in-person relationship coaching.
Online therapy aims to provide the same benefits as in-person therapy without the extra hassle. In addition, if you and your partner are going through some heated moments, it may not be the best approach to put you two in the same room for a session. It may be easier to communicate with your therapist together via video or messaging apps.
There is always a concern that telehealth is not as effective as in-person therapy, but studies have proven this false.
One study[1] from 2014 found that online relationship counseling sessions for depression are equally effective as in-person sessions.
This article will discuss the top 5 online marriage counseling services and help you decide which one is right for you.
5 Best Online Marriage Counseling Services 2023
BetterHelp
20% Off First Month: healthcanal
BetterHelp offers a variety of trained therapists and online counselors to work with a diverse population. If you are looking for individual relationship therapy close to in-person sessions to promote a fulfilling relationship with your partner, BetterHelp is an excellent choice.
- Live video sessions available
- You can change your therapist
- Family therapist available
- Costly
- Individual therapy only
- Most insurance is not covered
BetterHelp offers a variety of therapists depending on your age, sex, and religion. They also have therapists that specialize in the LGBTQ+ population. If you are not satisfied with your therapist, you may switch to another at any time.
Unfortunately, BetterHelp does not provide services for couples at this time. If you go to their website and select couples therapy, you will get sent to their sister online therapy site, Regain.
According to the Berkeley Well-Being Institute study[2], BetterHelp was equally effective as in-person couples therapy sessions.
If your partner is not on board, or you want to work on yourself first, BetterHelp may be a good option.
With prices ranging from 60$-90$ a week, if you are looking for a session with your partner, it may be more cost-effective to find a couples session.
Talkspace
$85 off your first month: HEALTHCANAL85
Talkspace online therapy has an easy sign-up process and allows you and your partner to touch base daily with your therapist. If therapy does not seem to be enough, physiatrists are also available on Talkspace for medication management.
- You can select your therapist
- Live sessions
- Access to psychiatrists for medication management
- Some insurance accepted
- Easy to use
- Unlimited messaging therapy
- Discounts offered
- Expensive
- Limited to 4 live sessions monthly (30 min each)
While Talkspace couples counseling is pricey, discounts are often offered to relieve the hefty subscription costs.
In addition, some insurance providers cover therapy through Talkspace. It is essential to make sure you see if your insurance covers it before paying out of pocket.
One of the best features associated with Talkspace is access to psychiatrists. Sometimes you may need a combination of medication and counseling to see the best results.
Having a combination of therapists, psychiatrists, and psychologists acts as a one-stop-shop for all your mental health needs.
Of note, psychiatrists are not allowed to prescribe controlled substances or lithium.
If you do not feel online relationship counseling sessions are of benefit, you may cancel at any time.
Online-therapy.com
20% Off Coupon: healthcanal
Online-therapy.com offers a wide range of therapy sessions to treat a variety of problems, including relationship issues. Unfortunately, they do not offer couples or group therapy at this time
- Worksheets and activities offered
- Offers online yoga and meditation classes
- Weekly live sessions
- Affordable
- Addresses other mental health issues
- Unable to prescribe medication
- No free trial
- Insurance not accepted
- Couples and group therapy are not available at this time
Online-therapy.com may be a great option if you seek personal relationship counseling that does not involve your significant other. Their services include the choice of weekly live sessions and messaging with your therapist at any time.
Online-therapy.com also offers structured activities and a daily journal to help users stay on track with motivation and participation.
It also offers yoga and meditation videos for no extra cost. Various programs are available, and prices range from 39.95$-79.95$ per week. Discounts occasionally are offered.
If you are looking for a therapy where you and your partner can participate, this may not be a good fit. Nevertheless, their website does say they are looking into offering group therapy very soon.
Regain
Regain offers its users affordable virtual therapy services that specialize in couples therapy. You can request to speak with your therapist privately, and there is no additional charge for your partner joining in treatment.
- Easy sign-up process
- No extra charge for your partner
- Affordable
- Tailored to couples only
- Members may cancel a subscription at any time
- Unlimited sessions
- No three-way calling
- Response time can be over a day
Regain offers relatively affordable online therapy ranging in price from 60$-90$ weekly. All users also have unlimited access to Regain, which can be accessed from just about any device or smartphone and does not require software installation.
Therapists are also required to have a minimum of three years of hands-on experience, so you can be sure you are receiving help from a true professional.
Regain is focused explicitly on couples and marriage therapy and professional counselors include marriage and family therapists, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, and highly trained clinical social workers.
While Regain has excellent features, many users have reported some time lag with a one-day response time.
In addition, if you are not with your partner frequently, there is no option for three-way calling, which may present challenges when scheduling visits.
Our Relationship
Online therapy is not for everyone. Our Relationship is an online program that you navigate through alone or with your partner. If you feel like you need additional help, online coaches are available.
- Online course
- Complete independently or together
- Research-backed
- Coaching offered
- Affordable
- Free program available
- Does not offer live sessions
For those who would instead work through a self-help course on their own time, Our Relationship may be perfect for you. The program has scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness.
You are allowed five 20-minute calls with your coach during the duration of the program if you have any additional questions or concerns.
Our relationship is researched back and proven to work.
According to a study[3] conducted by Our Relationship research program, participants were found to have positive results and improvements.
The cost of the course is $150 and includes access to a coach. If you do not wish to have access to a coach, the price will drop to 50$.
If you are looking to save money, you may qualify for a free program backed by the US Administration for Children and Families to offset the cost.
If you qualify and complete the course, you may also be able to receive a $150 gift card per couple to a retail outlet. (Walmart, Target, etc.).
You must agree to be a part of the research study to qualify for the incentive.
How To Choose The Best Online Relationship Therapy For Couples?
When selecting the right online couples therapy platform for you and your partner, there are several things you want to consider to have the best experience possible.
You want to seek a qualified online couples counseling therapist to help you and your partner better understand each other and improve your relationship.
If you are looking for a place to start, here are some of the most common considerations you should take before choosing a therapist.
Provider Experience
Is it worth signing up if you pay little to nothing but do not gain anything from your therapy session? It is crucial to choose a well-known provider with credentials who will improve your relationship with your partner.
Do you want a provider who is available 24/7 to answer questions, or do you want to speak with someone only on occasion for extra guidance? These questions are essential to ask yourself before selecting a provider.
You want to make sure your therapist shows up for you just as much as you show up for them.
As with many relationships, it may take several times before you find one that matches up with your personality.
If you are paying out of pocket and spending your time, you want to have the best provider experience possible.
Specialty
Make sure you choose a provider with a lot of experience in the area you feel you and your partner can benefit the most. For instance, Regain offers individualized therapy with a marriage therapist and relationship counselors that are sorted depending on specialty.
During the intro assessment, they will ask what you and your partner want to achieve from the sessions. Questions may range from getting over adultery, improving intimacy, or deciding if it is time to divorce.
You will also need to be prepared to discuss your political views, therapist gender preference, and sexuality. All of these things should be taken into consideration when choosing the perfect online therapy services.
Privacy
The internet is a great way to provide online marriage counseling programs, especially in the healthcare field. But it can also be dangerous if your privacy is not respected. It is essential to use a platform that is HIPPA compliant.
If you are primarily texting with your provider, you want to ensure a secure messaging system is in place.
The good news is, all well-respected and popular platforms automatically have privacy policies set in place since the law requires it.
You want to make sure your private thoughts and messages stay between you and your licensed therapist.
Takeaway: Is Online Marriage Counseling Effective?
New technology has made it easier than ever to have healthcare at your fingertips without leaving your house. With increased mental health diagnoses and divorce rates, many of us could benefit from a therapist.
To get the best results from online marriage counseling programs, you must select a therapist that works well with your personality while taking cost and method of communication into perspective.
You can rest assured knowing that high-quality online therapy sessions are equally as effective as in-person sessions.
Whatever your goals are as a couple, online couples therapy is a great place to start. You will be on your way to healthier relationships in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Both in-person and couples therapy have proven to be effective. As a matter of fact, according to one study[4], at least 70% of couples will have promising results with couples therapy. In addition, studies[5] have also shown online treatments to be equally as effective as in-person sessions.
As long as you use a reputable business and verify your therapist’s credentials, you have nothing to worry about. The platforms discussed above hire only highly qualified professionals. If you have doubts, you can always search by your therapist’s license number, which is always public information.
It depends on every couple. Sometimes, one spouse may be on board with the idea more than the other. Some platforms, such as Our Relationship, offer tips and ideas to get your partner on board.
If you have any questions or might be scared to ask your partner, it is always good to start with a licensed help professional to seek their input.
+ 5 sources
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- Wagner, B., Horn, A.B. and Maercker, A. (2014). Internet-based versus face-to-face cognitive-behavioral intervention for depression: A randomized controlled non-inferiority trial. Journal of Affective Disorders, [online] 152-154, pp.113–121. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032713005120.
- Marcelle, E.T., Nolting, L., Hinshaw, S.P. and Aguilera, A. (2019). Effectiveness of a Multimodal Digital Psychotherapy Platform for Adult Depression: A Naturalistic Feasibility Study. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, [online] 7(1), p.e10948. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6364202/.
- Doss, B.D., Cicila, L.N., Georgia, E.J., Roddy, M.K., Nowlan, K.M., Benson, L.A. and Christensen, A. (2016). A randomized controlled trial of the web-based OurRelationship program: Effects on relationship and individual functioning. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, [online] 84(4), pp.285–296. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4804631/.
- Lebow, J.L., Chambers, A.L., Christensen, A. and Johnson, S.M. (2011). Research on the Treatment of Couple Distress. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, [online] 38(1), pp.145–168. Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1752-0606.2011.00249.x.
- Allen, C. (2020). Online therapy just as effective as in-person therapy for many patients. [online] News. Available at: https://news.byu.edu/intellect/online-therapy-just-as-effective-as-in-person-therapy-for-many-patients.
Written by:
Lindsey Desoto, RDN, LD
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
