Pros and Cons of Online Couples Therapy

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Table of Contents

Overview

Benefits

Effectiveness

Potential Drawbacks

Finding a Therapist

Online Platforms

Cost

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Virtual health services have become more commonplace over the last decade. Even from the confines of our homes, we have access to one-on-one conversations with medical doctors, psychiatrists, and therapists.

While most telehealth services focus on individual care, online couples therapy is also available, either through a therapist or counselor with an online practice, or one of a number of subscription-based programs that provide access to therapy through video services.

This article discusses how a couples therapy session might differ from in-person counseling, the benefits of online couples therapy, and potential drawbacks. It also includes guidance on how to find the best therapist for you.

What Is Teletherapy?

“In the session, your therapist will guide you through exercises and communication practices,” explainsJennie Marie Battistin, a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) based in Burbank, California. “The goal is to help you improve the quality of your relationship, increase or renew the friendship factor, enhance your intimacy through deeper emotional connection, and navigate and resolve conflicts effectively.”

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In general, couples therapy opens the door of communication and can strengthen what many would consider their most important relationship.

“Sessions can reveal hidden worries and underlying patterns, set the tone for ongoing communication, and help you create goals and modify behaviors into the future,” saysSanam Hafeez, PsyD, a New York City-based neuropsychologist. “Additionally, couples might feel they can hang on to their grievances until their session, so their day-to-day also gets better because there’s a place they can bring their disagreements.”

In terms of the benefits of online couples therapy versus in-office sessions, there are a handful to consider:

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“To ensure your session goes well, being open-minded and accepting is the first step,” says Hafeez. “It also helps towrite out your individual and shared goals, as well as your complaints or worries, so you don’t spend your time being sidetracked and later feeling you never got to say the important things.”

Note that in some cases, the goal or outcome of couples therapy is to help you determine whether it makes sense to remain in the relationship. In cases where you’re in a relationship that’s not demonstrably unhealthy but otherwisemight be better ended, couples therapy can help you amicably separate.

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Is Online Couples Therapy Effective?

In general, couples therapy has been shown to be aneffective evidence-based treatmentthat can help couples with relationship problems, including communication, intimacy, and psychological distress.

Research suggests that online therapy can be as effective as traditional face-to-face counseling. In a 2019 study published inFrontiers in Psychology, the majority of couples who tried online therapy reported finding the experience both beneficial and positive.

One concern associated with delivering couples therapy online is the challenges of forming atherapeutic alliance. Previous research has suggested that the therapeutic alliance—which is the relationship clients have with their therapist that helps them feel safe and understood—is an important determinant of therapy outcomes.

Interestingly, participants in one study felt that online delivery via video actually enhanced this therapeutic rapport.

40 Questions to Build Intimacy in a Relationship

While there are many benefits associated with online couples couple therapy, it’s important to acknowledge some of the potential drawbacks, as well. Those might include the following:

Generally speaking, in situations where there have been physical altercations, it is best to schedule an in-person, one-on-one therapy session versus an online or virtual session.

Couples counseling of any kind isnotrecommended for situations where there is domestic violence.

If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.988

If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

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Additionally, Battistin says that one-on-one sessions (virtual or in-person) are ideal ifone person is struggling with deep depressionor a mental disorder.

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Several studies have suggested that online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy, permitting you’re speaking to a skilled therapist.

“I recommend seeking a private practice therapist who primarily has specialized in couples therapy in-office, yet offers online when the need arises. It’s also best to seek a therapist who has completed additional training in couples therapy,” says Battistin. “You might be surprised to learn most therapists have had only two to three classes in conducting couples therapy while pursuing their master’s or doctoral degree.”

Dr. Hafeez adds that it’s also important to look for the following credentials: LMFT (licensed marriage and family therapist), LMHC (licensed mental health counselor), LCPC (licensed clinical professional counselor), or MFT (marriage and family therapist).

“Additionally,” she says, “a social worker with training in couples therapy could be a good fit. And always, the persons with the greatest training in any type of counseling are those with doctorates (PsyD or PhD).”

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There are several online platforms that have emerged as alternatives to private practice therapists. Some platforms are better suited than others to provide couples therapy. There are differences in how you can choose or change your therapist, and video chat may not be available on every platform.

As the field of online therapy continues to develop, however, it’s likely that these platforms will expand and refine their offerings to suit more specific needs, including couples therapy. If affordability is a concern, there are many online couples therapy options to explore, such asTalkspaceandReGain.

Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

Get Help Now

We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

How Much Does Online Couples Therapy Cost?

Therapy costs can vary depending on a variety of different factors. For traditional in-office therapy, rates are often somewhere between $75 and $200 per hour.

Online couples therapy rates can vary depending on the provider, platform, and options you select. Live video therapy sessions often cost the most and can be around $200 to $250 per session; some subscription-based online therapy providers charge less.

Check rates with your provider before you begin. Some online providers may accept your insurance, but you should also check whether the services are covered, as most insurance companies will not cover couples therapy. In some cases, therapists may also offer discounted pricing for cash-paying clients or a sliding-scale option in which your rate is based on what you can afford to pay.

A Word From Verywell

The advent of online couples counseling has provided more flexibility to couples across the globe who want to navigate their relationship with the help of an expert.

In cases where virtual is the only option—while traveling, in a long-distance relationship, or in situations when commuting simply isn’t a possibility—virtual sessions may prove an excellent alternative to in-person sessions. All couples have their own needs, so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of online couples therapy to determine if it’s the right move for your relationship.

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4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Information NC for B, Pike USNL of M 8600 R, MD B, Usa 20894.Summary of Evidence. Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2014.Kysely A, Bishop B, Kane R, Cheng M, De Palma M, Rooney R.Expectations and experiences of couples receiving therapy through videoconferencing: A qualitative study.Front Psychol. 2020;10:2992. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02992DeAngelis T.Better relationships with patients lead to better outcomes.Monitor on Psychology. American Psychological Association. 2019;50(10):38.Barak A, Hen L, Boniel-Nissim M, Shapira N.A comprehensive review and a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of internet-based psychotherapeutic interventions.J Technol Hum Serv. 2008;26(2-4):109-160. doi:10.1080/15228830802094429

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Information NC for B, Pike USNL of M 8600 R, MD B, Usa 20894.Summary of Evidence. Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2014.Kysely A, Bishop B, Kane R, Cheng M, De Palma M, Rooney R.Expectations and experiences of couples receiving therapy through videoconferencing: A qualitative study.Front Psychol. 2020;10:2992. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02992DeAngelis T.Better relationships with patients lead to better outcomes.Monitor on Psychology. American Psychological Association. 2019;50(10):38.Barak A, Hen L, Boniel-Nissim M, Shapira N.A comprehensive review and a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of internet-based psychotherapeutic interventions.J Technol Hum Serv. 2008;26(2-4):109-160. doi:10.1080/15228830802094429

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Information NC for B, Pike USNL of M 8600 R, MD B, Usa 20894.Summary of Evidence. Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2014.Kysely A, Bishop B, Kane R, Cheng M, De Palma M, Rooney R.Expectations and experiences of couples receiving therapy through videoconferencing: A qualitative study.Front Psychol. 2020;10:2992. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02992DeAngelis T.Better relationships with patients lead to better outcomes.Monitor on Psychology. American Psychological Association. 2019;50(10):38.Barak A, Hen L, Boniel-Nissim M, Shapira N.A comprehensive review and a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of internet-based psychotherapeutic interventions.J Technol Hum Serv. 2008;26(2-4):109-160. doi:10.1080/15228830802094429

Information NC for B, Pike USNL of M 8600 R, MD B, Usa 20894.Summary of Evidence. Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2014.

Kysely A, Bishop B, Kane R, Cheng M, De Palma M, Rooney R.Expectations and experiences of couples receiving therapy through videoconferencing: A qualitative study.Front Psychol. 2020;10:2992. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02992

DeAngelis T.Better relationships with patients lead to better outcomes.Monitor on Psychology. American Psychological Association. 2019;50(10):38.

Barak A, Hen L, Boniel-Nissim M, Shapira N.A comprehensive review and a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of internet-based psychotherapeutic interventions.J Technol Hum Serv. 2008;26(2-4):109-160. doi:10.1080/15228830802094429

Hannah Owens, LMSW

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