Top-Notch Digital Couples Therapy and Marital Counseling Offerings in 2024
Online relationship support often provides couples with guidance from certified therapists. Here are eight highly evaluated options for top-notch online relationship counseling, along with our personal evaluations.
A brief overview of the top online relationship counseling services
- Top choice: Regain Online Therapy | Dive into review
- Best for budget-friendly options: BetterHelp | Dive into review
- Best for insurance coverage: Talkspace | Dive into review
- Best for initial consultation with no charge: Modern Intimacy Online Therapy | Dive into review
- Best for immediate assistance: Mindful Care Online Therapy | Dive into review
- Best for families with children: Little Otter Online Therapy | Dive into review
- Best directory: Gottman Referral Network Online Therapy | Dive into review
- Best for personal growth focus: Growing Self Counseling & Coaching | Dive into review
The best online relationship counseling platforms
Below, we examine some relationship counseling services that you might find beneficial.
Medical News Today has tested some of the services listed below. Reviewers may have been provided with access to the services by the providers free of charge, without impacting their unbiased review. All opinions expressed are the reviewers' own. Some reviewers may choose to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of these services.
Analyzing the best online relationship counseling platforms
Regain
The following table offers a quick comparison of the services mentioned in this article.
$60 to $90 per week
| Price | Licensed therapists? | Platforms || --- | --- | --- || Regain | $60 to $90 per week | yes | • text messages• telephone call• video call || BetterHelp | $60 to $90 per week | yes | • telephone call• text messages• video call• live chat || Talkspace | •starting at $436 per month|•$65 for optional live sessions | yes | • text messages via their platform• video call || Modern Intimacy | rates vary depending on therapists | yes, but also coaches who are not licensed therapists | teletherapy || Mindful Care | •$150 to $175 for initial evaluation•$50 to $100 for ongoing sessions | yes | online or in-person || Little Otter | • $90 for the Welcome Session• $540 for the Assessment bundle• $2,040 for 12-session bundle• $200 for a standard therapy session• $500 for a Psychiatry evaluation• $250 for a Psychiatry follow-up | yes | • virtual sessions• text messages || Gottman Referral Network | rates vary depending on therapists | yes | platform varies depending on therapist || Growing Self | $65 to $160 per 45-minute session, depending on therapist | yes | • online• in-person, in Denver, Colorado |
yes
Selection criteria
• text messages• telephone call• video call
Medical News Today considers the following factors when choosing services:
- Health claims: MNT selects companies that do not make dubious health claims.
- Transparency: MNT selects companies that operate openly with regards to their products, services, and leadership.
- Business standards: MNT chooses companies that adhere to safe and ethical business and marketing practices.
- Reputation: MNT selects companies that are free of warnings from regulatory agencies or unresolved lawsuits.
BetterHelp
What is relationship counseling?
$60 to $90 per week
Relationship difficulties can be addressed with the help of a licensed therapist, who may employ various techniques to address communication issues, feelings of disconnection, or external stressors.
yes
If a person in a relationship believes they would benefit from talking therapy, various options exist. These include:
• telephone call• text messages• video call• live chat
- cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Gottman Method couples therapy
- emotionally focused therapy (EFT) for couples
A 2020 study on CBT for couples found it successful in dealing with relationship quality and marital social skills. Studies on both CBT and have shown positive outcomes and improved marital status.
Talkspace
Online therapy is growing in popularity, particularly lately. A suggests that it is easier for people to access and more affordable than traditional therapy. However, challenges arise when transitioning from traditional services.
•starting at $436 per month•$65 for optional live sessions
Factors to consider in online relationship counseling
yes
A couple might consider the following factors when seeking relationship counseling:
• text messages via their platform• video call
Therapeutic style
Couples can research different therapeutic styles to determine the most suitable approach for their needs. They can then specify this when searching for therapists. Some common relationship counseling techniques include:
Modern Intimacy
- EFT
- discernment counseling
- Gottman Method couples therapy
- relational psychotherapy
rates vary depending on therapists
Addressing specific needs
yes, but also coaches who are not licensed therapists
Couples may find it advantageous to consider their unique needs. For example, if a couple requires aid with gender identity, sexual orientation, or monogamy, they would benefit from working with a therapist with expertise in those areas.
teletherapy
Additional considerations may include:
- whether or not the therapist holds a legitimate license
- whether the therapist creates clear action plans
- whether the therapist assigns tasks to be completed outside of sessions
Mindful Care
Cost and convenience
•$150 to $175 for initial evaluation•$50 to $100 for ongoing sessions
When choosing online relationship counseling, couples should consider their budget and the flexibility of the sessions to fit their schedule.
yes
Frequently asked questions
online or in-person
A 2021 study indicated that some forms of web-based therapy yielded results similar to in-person treatment. However, due to the continuous growth of this field, further research is necessary.
Couples should attend sessions together. Although alternatives for speaking to therapists separately are available on some platforms.
Little Otter
This depends on the insurance company and the specific therapy service. Couples should contact their plan provider to confirm benefits.
• $90 for the Welcome Session• $540 for the Assessment bundle• $2,040 for 12-session bundle• $200 for a standard therapy session• $500 for a Psychiatry evaluation• $250 for a Psychiatry follow-up
Absolutely, there are some digital therapy platforms that focus on LGBTQIA+ therapy, such as:
yes
- Pride Counseling
- Leone Centre
- The Pink Practice
• virtual sessions• text messages
Regain is another online platform that focuses on couples therapy. They pair an individual or a couple with one of their numerous licensed therapists and assign them a private online therapy space, accessible anytime.
This space is used for messaging the therapist, scheduling live therapy sessions, meeting with the therapist, more messaging, and completing worksheets to advance therapy goals.
Gottman Referral Network
Regain's therapists provide live, scheduled therapy sessions via video, phone, and live chat options. Therapy can be sought out as an individual or as part of a couple. Participants can join from different locations and opt for anonymity.
rates vary depending on therapists
Research indicates that couples therapy can aid individuals in managing relationship issues. It's been found that the average person feels improved after treatment, compared to 70–80% of people who don't receive treatment.
yes
Analysis of data reveals that CBT, integrative behavioral couple therapy, and EFT for couples can all be effective. Both behavioral and nonbehavioral approaches appear to be equally effective. Couples should consider their personal preferences when deciding on a treatment method.
platform varies depending on therapist
In a nutshell
• online• in-person, in Denver, Colorado
Online couples therapy can be a cost-effective alternative to in-person therapy, and numerous companies provide reliable and convenient services.
Growing Self
Scientific evidence suggests that online therapy options are just as effective as in-person therapy, offering flexibility and ease of use.
$65 to $160 per 45-minute session, depending on therapist
Some services provide reasonable subscription plans and alternative payment options. Some private health insurance providers may also cover online couples therapy, so it's worth contacting the insurer directly.
yes
After exploring various online relationship counseling services, some include the option for couples to consult with a nutritionist. For instance, Growing Self Counseling & Coaching offers both therapy and coaching services, which may include a nutritionist to provide dietary guidance. Furthermore, Modern Intimacy Online Therapy also offers therapy, but also partners with coaches who specialize in various areas, including nutrition.
