Even happy couples know that healthy and lasting relationships require work. When conflict arises, couples need to identify the issues, discuss them with each other, communicate honestly, and work together to find solutions. A good relationship therapist you and your partner can trust is one of the best resources for advice and guidance to facilitate a happy relationship. They can offer advice and strategies to help you identify issues, improve communication, navigate distance-related complications, or better cultivate intimacy.
However, not everyone has the access or time to attend regular in-person relationship therapy sessions. Online therapy, whether for individuals or couples, is a convenient alternative to face-to-face counseling—and research suggests it can be just as effective. Couples who tried online therapy via videoconferencing as part of a 2020 study described being able to effectively connect with their therapist, and the majority found the experience to be beneficial and positive.
If you’ve decided to take the next step in improving your relationship, these are the best places online for advice, coaching, counseling, or therapy.
Best for premarital counseling
Couples Learn
Key Specs
- Cost: $125-$420 per session
- Accepts Insurance: No
- Platforms: Live video
Why We Chose It
Couples Learn offers individuals and couples online relationship information, as well as individual and couples therapy, and premarital counseling.
Pros & Cons
PROS
- Exclusive focus on couples and relationships
- Offers evening and weekend appointments
- Offers online courses and quizzes
- Free 30-minute consultation
CONS
- Small team of therapists and coaches
- Does not accept insurance
Overview
Couples Learn focuses on helping couples find solutions to improve and strengthen relationships, offering individual therapy, couples therapy, and premarital counseling that helps identify and resolve couples’ potential areas of concern before they become big issues.
Depending on specific needs, Couples Learn sessions can be short term (six to 10 sessions) or long term (20 or more sessions). Therapy and coaching sessions are conducted via the online video chat service Zoom. The therapist or coach will provide support, problem-solving skills, motivation, and coping strategies for issues such as insecurity, stress, anxiety, and others that may affect your relationship.
For couples looking to undergo premarital counseling to prevent problems and deepen connections, their therapist or coach can help with identifying strengths, emotional needs, personality types, and communication styles. Couples Learn’s therapists and coaches also can provide advice and tips related to finances, kids, sex, and routines and rituals that can help keep your marriage strong and healthy.
Couples Learn’s services typically range from $125 to $420 a session, depending on the therapist you work with and the length of the session. The website also offers free blogs, videos, and workshops so couples can continue to learn and engage outside their sessions. It also provides free quizzes to help you learn about your relationship and your partners, including attachment style and relationship conflict quizzes.
Best for LGBTQIA+ couples
Gay Therapy Center
Key Specs
- Cost: Starts at $185 per session
- Accepts Insurance: No
- Platforms: Live video, phone
Why We Chose It
All of Gay Therapy Center’s therapists are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, helping ensure that you feel comfortable, safe, and connected with your therapist as you work on improving your relationship.
Pros & Cons
PROS
- All therapists are LGBTQIA+
- Offers individual therapy and couples counseling
- Also offers in-office therapy
CONS
- Doesn’t accept insurance
- Can be expensive
Overview
Gay Therapy Center was founded in 2015 by psychotherapist Adam D. Blum, who learned from his own experience that it can be “healing and powerful” to work with a therapist or counselor who shares your own LGBTQIA+ identity. All the therapists who work with the Gay Therapy Center are part of the LGBTQIA+ community to help clients build strong, trusting relationships. Because there are other factors that can affect how comfortable you are with your therapist, first-time clients first schedule a call to be personally matched to an online therapist who can best meet their needs.
Gay Therapy Center offers both individual and couples therapy, and therapists are trained to address and help with matters such as infidelity, fighting, sex and intimacy issues, and open relationship conflicts. The company stresses the importance of a “blame-free” zone, focusing on vulnerability and building communication skills. Sessions are conducted via live video conferencing, so you can meet with your therapist or counselor from the privacy of your home or office.
Fees start at $185 per 50-minute session. While Gay Therapy Center does not accept insurance, the company says its services are reimbursable by most out-of-network insurance plans and can provide clients with receipts that include all the detailed codes required by insurers. Gay Therapy Center’s website features videos and a free blog that offers LGBTQIA+ relationship advice, tips, and resources.
Best for married couples
ReGain
Key Specs
- Cost: $240–$320+ per month, depending on where you live
- Accepts Insurance: No
- Platforms: Unlimited messaging, live video, and phone
Why We Chose It
With an exclusive focus on online relationship therapy, ReGain can help married couples face relationship challenges and other marital issues.
Pros & Cons
PROS
- Exclusive focus on relationships and couples
- Monthly subscription
- Unlimited messaging with therapist
- Easy-to-use platform
CONS
- You can’t choose a therapist
- No therapist bios on website
- No family therapy offered
Overview
Founded in 2016, ReGain is an online therapy platform with an exclusive focus on relationships and couples. The company boasts a network of more than 8,000 therapists trained to help you navigate marital issues, communication problems, fidelity and intimacy issues, and other relationship concerns.
After you sign up with ReGain, you will be matched with a therapist who meets your objectives, preferences, and the type of relationship issues you are dealing with. Different therapists have different approaches to achieving your relationship goals, but if you feel that your therapist is not a good fit, you may choose to be matched to a different therapist.
You can also choose to meet with your therapist individually or as a couple. The price is the same, ranging from $240 to $320+ depending on where you live and which therapist you’re matched with; you’ll be given your exact price during signup. Whether you meet with your therapist individually or as a couple, you’ll be given access to a private and secure chat room where you can communicate 24/7 and you’ll be able to schedule weekly live sessions via video or phone.
ReGain’s website doesn’t have a lot of additional reading or additional resources for individuals looking for information on how to improve their relationships if they’re not a member, though, which might be disappointing to some—especially if you’re unmarried and not sure you can afford the expense or time commitment of full-blown couple’s therapy.
Best for sex therapy
Talkspace
Key Specs
- Cost: $260-$400 a month
- Accepts Insurance: Yes
- Platforms: Text and audio messaging, live video, and phone
Why We Chose It
Talkspace’s large network of professionals includes licensed and trained sex therapists that can help with intimacy issues couples may face and provide education on sexual health.
Pros & Cons
PROS
- Accepts insurance
- All therapists are licensed
- You can pick your therapist from recommended suggestions
- Multiple monthly subscription plans available
CONS
- Not all providers offer live sessions
- May be more expensive than other options
Overview
One of the best-known online therapy companies offering individual and couples therapy, Talkspace also boasts a network of licensed professionals with various specializations, including sex therapy.
When you sign up with Talkspace, you can get matched with a therapist based on your answers to their consultation questions or you can choose one yourself using the directory of therapists featured on the website. To ensure that your therapist specializes in sex therapy, Talkspace recommends browsing the search results for your location after selecting “sex therapy” in the Specialities filter. Sex therapists can address concerns about sexual function, sexual feelings, and intimacy. They can also provide a safe space for individuals or couples to express worries around sex and help them overcome these barriers.
Talkspace offers multiple subscription options ranging in price from $260 to $400. Its basic plan includes text-based therapy only and the premium plan includes text, video, and audio messaging with a therapist, plus four 30-minute live video sessions per month. You can communicate with your Talkspace therapist through 24/7 text messaging, audio messaging, and live video and phone sessions. Once you are matched with your therapist, you will have access to a chat room where you can leave messages.
Best for long-distance relationships
Couple Therapy Inc.
Key Specs
- Cost: $119-$250 per session
- Accepts Insurance: No
- Platforms: Live video or in person
Why We Chose It
Couples Therapy Inc. offers science-based online counseling and guidance to help with relationship distress due to distance and other issues.
Pros & Cons
PROS
- Serves couples and individuals
- Licensed therapists with specialized training
- You can choose your therapist
- Also offers in-person and virtual couples retreats
CONS
- No subscription plans
- Doesn’t accept insurance
- Can get expensive, especially for retreats
Overview
Couples Therapy Inc. has a clear, expert focus on relationships, and its therapists help couples address issues such as marital communication, parenting stress, and long-distance relationships.
Counseling begins with an assessment questionnaire the therapist uses to determine a mode of online therapy. Because long-distance relationships may prevent couples from undergoing therapy or coaching together, Couples Therapy Inc. also offers Hopeful Spouse Therapy or couples therapy for one. Aside from weekly therapy sessions, the company holds in-person or virtual two- or three-day “intensives,” which provide a more in-depth approach for couples whose relationships are in chronic distress.
Couples Therapy Inc.’s prices vary depending on the service you choose. Couples coaching ranges from $119 to $199 for a 50-minute session; couples therapy for couples and individuals ranges from $159 to $250 per 50-minute session; and the intensive retreats start at $2,500 and can run up to $5,000.
Read the original article at https://www.verywellmind.com/the-best-places-to-get-relationship-advice-4705417.
