Online marriage counseling is for couples who want to talk with a professional therapist using electronic forms of communication. This is usually done via video sessions, live chat, and/or messaging. Online counseling can occur with the couple together or in different locations. This makes it practical for couples in a wide range of circumstances, such as those who are dealing with child care issues or work-related travel. While in-person couples counseling can cost $120-250 per session, the video-based couples therapy is far more affordable.
1. Best Overall Resource for Online Marriage Counseling: ReGain
ReGain is an online couples counseling service for couples having any relationship issue, including problems with communication, infidelity, or sex/physical intimacy. A unique feature is that all of the therapists specialize in couples treatment. Depending on geographic location and specific preferences requested, it may be the most affordable option.
The process starts with an online questionnaire, which asks the couple to identify their problem areas and any preferences for the therapist’s gender, age, or religion. Once matched to a therapist, both individuals use the same account to communicate with the therapist via chats, phone calls or video sessions. Length and frequency of sessions is set by the clients, allowing for flexible scheduling. Messages may be left for the therapist at any time, but responses may take more than one day. ReGain is owned by BetterHelp.
Plan Options for ReGain
Couples counseling on ReGain costs from $60 to $90 per week and is determined based upon your location, preferences, and therapist availability. Your account is charged every four weeks at the predetermined rate per week. This fee covers unlimited text, video and audio messaging, as well as one live session per week. There is an option to apply for financial aid to offset the cost.1
2. Best for Unlimited Messaging & Responsiveness: Talkspace
Talkspace is the most widely used online therapy platform. It offers therapy as well as psychiatric treatments for individuals, teens, and couples. The key strength is the guaranteed response time from the therapist.They are committed to reaching out to each of their clients five times per week.
After creating an account, Talkspace users begin to communicate with a consultation therapist who asks about basic demographics and any issues you’d like to address. Common issues for couples include financial problems, parenting, infidelity, sex/intimacy, and in-laws.
Following this brief assessment, you are matched with three possible therapists, each of whom is licensed and experienced. This process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two days.
Plan Options for Talkspace
Pricing is set at $99 per week, billed once monthly for $396. This price includes unlimited texting, audio, and video messages for both individuals. The therapist checks in five times per week to respond to messages. This subscription also includes weekly 30-minute live video sessions.2
The service does not offer financial aid but does have promotions such as a significant discount for the initial month. It may also be possible to use a Health Savings Account or a Flexible Health Spending Account to cover the cost of therapy.
3. Best Self-Help Couples Program: Our Relationship
Our Relationship has been demonstrated to result in significant improvements in both relationship and individual well-being.3 It is a self-paced eight-hour program involving online activities for the couple to complete together. For couples who prefer to work out issues on their own, this is still an excellent choice. There is also the option to add a therapy coach for an additional fee.
The first step is to select a program from four choices: heterosexual couple, same-gender couple, military/veteran couple, or individual. Although it is recommended to complete the course with a partner, the individual program is an option for those whose partner is unwilling to participate. Each program usually takes eight to 10 hours over a period of five to eight weeks to complete.
Next, you may choose to answer a few online questions to determine if you’re eligible for the Free Program, funded by a national grant. You must agree to participate in the national research study if you begin the Free Program. This program includes 20-minute weekly calls with a coach, as well as access to the online activities.
Plan Options for Our Relationship
If you don’t qualify for the free program or choose not to participate in it, you would then choose either the un-coached program ($50 total cost) or the coached program ($150 total cost).4
4. Best Budget Option for Short-Term Counseling: E-Therapy Cafe
E-Therapy Cafe is the best budget option for those seeking short term couples counseling without purchasing a monthly subscription plan. They emphasize that the approach is geared toward all partnerships, rather than having a focus on married couples. As with other services, all therapists are licensed and experienced.
Live sessions, messaging, phone calls and online journaling are used to connect with the therapist. The service claims to offer expert help with a range of relationship issues including communication skills and making arguments more constructive.
The first step is to complete a registration by answering some online questions about your current concerns and providing a name, address, and email. You will have the option to choose your therapist from a list of names and extensive bios. You may opt to let the service make the match for you.
Plan Options for E-Therapy Cafe
The second step of registration is to choose your plan from eight possibilities. The plan options begin with a one-time only 30-minute session for $40. Various other choices are outlined in “Pricing.” When registration is finished, you get the link to access a private portal. E-Therapy Cafe also offers a 10% discount on all sessions to veterans, first responders, and students.
Three potential plans are:5
- E-Therapy Express: Pay as you go, $50 per 30-minute session
- E-Therapy Trial Express: One-time only, $40 for a 30-minute session
- E-Therapy Basic: $135 per month, $45 per 30-minute session
5. Best Online Therapy for LGBTQ+ Couples: Pride Counseling
Pride Counseling is a relatively new branch of the BetterHelp platform that is specifically geared to counseling for the LGBTQ+ community. All counselors specialize in LGBTQ+ issues, hold licenses to practice in their respective states, and have at least three years of experience.
First, you answer an online questionnaire that asks about your current health and emotional state. You will also identify any issues that you’re hoping to address, such as problems with communication, fidelity, or intimacy.
After setting up an account, you have the option to state any preferences as to the counselor who will be assigned to you. This includes the choice to request a counselor who identifies as LGBTQ+. The matching process usually takes less than 24 hours.6
Subscriptions include unlimited messaging and live sessions. However, there is a qualification that the frequency of interaction depends on the counselor’s availability. Sessions can be live chat, voice calls, or video conference. Messages sent between you and your counselor remain available for you to re-read at any time. You also have the option to “shred” the messages.
Plan Options for Pride Counseling
Subscriptions are monthly at the rate of $65 per week. Conflicting price quotes were noted on different reviews suggesting that pricing may depend on geographic location. Pride offers financial discounts on a sliding scale for those with lower incomes. This option is presented during account setup, before you enter the payment information.7
Pros & Cons of Online Couples Counseling
There are clear advantages to online couples counseling related to geography, convenience, and flexibility. For example, pros of online couples counseling include flexible scheduling, convenience for couples with children, and that it works for geographically separated couples.
Couples in the midst of a crisis in which either partner is at risk of harm, either from themself or their partner, are not generally advised to start online counseling. Making an assessment of risk of harm usually requires an in-person interview and careful monitoring of symptoms by the therapist.
