How Can Regain Help Couples Strengthen Their Relationships?

Medically reviewed by Paige Henry, LMSW, J.D.
Updated April 16, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

The choice to seek out online therapy services like Regain can be significant for many couples when facing relationship challenges. Being prepared for what to expect from an online platform can help you understand how sessions might function and how these functions can benefit you. 

Getty/AnnaStills
Are you interested in starting couples therapy?

Is Regain credible? Yes, and it offers a variety of features to couples using its services, which can provide unique advantages that you might not find in traditional in-person therapy. If you're used to the structure of meeting one-on-one or in person with a therapist, learning more about Regain's policies and features could be valuable.

Is couples counseling effective?

Various peer reviewed studies on the effectiveness of couples' counseling have indicated that couples who undergo the experience of pre-marital counseling have a higher marriage success rate than those who don't. Through couples therapy sessions, you may be able to work with a professional on various areas of relationship distress, including communication skills and conflict resolution strategies.

Licensed therapists and professional counselors may include accredited psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapists. They generally have at least a master’s degree, a license from the state’s professional board, and over 1000 hours or at least three years of clinical hands-on experience. 

What is Regain?

Regain is an online relationship counseling platform providing relationship therapy through licensed professional therapists trained in modern practices for relationship concerns. Regain couples counseling was created to remove barriers that may stop couples from seeking support, including the potential discomfort factor. With Regain, your counseling sessions are entirely virtual. Where you may have felt uncomfortable sitting in a therapist's office with your partner to air your issues, you can now speak to a counselor wherever you are comfortable and at ease through online therapy.

Using a tablet, smartphone, or computer, Regain users can connect with a licensed therapist for online couples therapy on a regular basis. It’s typically easy to get matched with a therapist, as ReGain offers a brief intake questionnaire to discover your relationship status, therapist preferences, and therapy goals. The questionnaire can often be completed within a day, although it may take a few days for some people. 

Regain also offers group webinars for couples to improve their relationships and learn more about various mental health topics. These webinars have a chat feature to interact with others and can be attended through mobile and desktop web browsers.

If you are experiencing a significant mental health crisis or facing other emergency situations, seek help immediately. Our Get Help Now page has a list of resources you can use if you are in crisis. 

Can therapists treat individuals?

While Regain mainly provides professional and affordable online therapy to couples, it also offers individual therapy and mental health support. Your partner does not need to be present to attend online therapy sessions with Regain counselors. You can attend sessions alone to discuss relationship-related concerns or personal challenges you’re facing in daily life. The sign-up process is often simple, and you can register alone or with your partner to work through relationship troubles or other mental health topics with your therapist. In addition, the Regain platform is discreet. You can receive support from home and use a nickname during your live therapy sessions with a licensed marriage and family therapist, clinical social worker, or other mental health professional.

Can these therapists support those experiencing domestic violence?

Regain therapists may be able to offer support after an individual has left an abusive or unhealthy relationship. However, if you are in crisis, do not use the site. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 for support. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or send the text message "START" to 88788. You can also use the online chat

How much does it cost?

Regain counseling can be affordable, discreet, and convenient for many couples. While Regain does not accept insurance, in-person marriage therapy is not often covered by insurance companies unless an individual is diagnosed with a mental illness. The cost can be split by two partners, making it significantly cheaper than many in-person sessions.  

Regain does not accept insurance. If your health insurance provider offers reimbursement for online sessions, you can receive a receipt from Regain to submit to the company for approval. However, Regain is not affiliated with insurance companies, so you may not be reimbursed if your insurance provider does not offer that option for relationship therapy.

Despite this factor, almost any Regain counseling review will tell you that the service is competitive in affordability; what a counseling review may not tell you is the exact price. You can create a joint account when signing up and divide the costs of weekly sessions. Regain costs $65 to $100 a session (based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply) to have sessions with a qualified therapist. You provide your payment information in your profile when you sign up. Financial aid may be available to customers by contacting the customer service team, which is considered on a case-by-case basis. If you’re not sure whether online relationship counseling fits into your budget, it may be worth the time spent reaching out to customer service.

How do live sessions work?

Regain therapy often involves one live therapy session appointment each week. During your appointment times, you and your partner or either of you individually can connect with your therapist in real-time. You can schedule this session as soon as you're matched with a therapist, often within 48 hours of signing up. In addition, you’ll generally be able to send messages to your therapist at any time, and they’ll usually get back to you within a few hours or when they’re able.

The live sessions between you and your mental health provider can happen via:

  • Live phone therapy sessions 
  • Live messaging sessions
  • Live video chatting sessions

You and your partner can decide which form of therapy you prefer. Many find that the live video sessions offer the most value, as connecting with your therapist using a visual component may increase the connection between the therapist and clients. 

A live counseling session can be 30 or 45 minutes in length. Whether you have a 30-minute or 45-minute session may depend on your therapist's availability. Regain counselors are independent providers, so how they set their schedules is up to their discretion. 

How does Regain messaging work?

The messaging feature you receive with your therapist may not be available in traditional in-person therapy. A safe chat room is created when you and your partner sign up. Through the chat room, you can send your therapist a message at any time. The therapist can then respond when they are able. 

This chat room may include you, your therapist, and any other joint account. Message your therapist during the week to check in or seek guidance. Regain includes messaging, and messages are saved so that you can refer to them at any time. If you use the app, you might also be able to use a journaling feature and post  your responses to journal prompts with your provider. Using the messaging feature may help you have the best online therapy experience possible and promote improved mental health.

Getty/Luis Alvarez

Does Regain offer three-way calling?

Regain does offer the option of three way calls, chats, or video sessions between you, your partner, and your licensed therapist. Unlike the limited location options for in-person therapy, you don't have to be in the same location as your partner for the duration of the live session. Parties may attend counseling from two separate rooms, buildings, cities, or countries.

In addition, you can message your therapist in the group's chat room from separate locations. Keep in mind that any written communication can be seen by both you and your partner. You can also request a non-public live session with your therapist that can be conducted anywhere you have internet if you want an individual session. 

How do I invite my partner?

If you join with your partner and want to participate in sessions as a couple, you can divide the account. There are two common ways to do so, including the following. 

Invite them during the initial sign-up process

If you sign up knowing you and your partner will be attending sessions together, invite your partner during the sign-up process. While filling out the initial questionnaire during sign-up, the prompts may offer you the option to invite your partner. Fill out basic information about your partner to add them to the account. They will receive an email invitation after payment is made. 

Invite them after you've signed up and matched with a therapist

Some individuals might sign up for therapy alone and decide to attend therapy together later. You can add your partner by signing into your account and clicking "invite partner" on your screen. After doing so, you can include your partner's email and phone number so they can receive a personalized invite to sign in to the app and chat room.

How can you sign up?

Regain is an online therapy platform providing convenient, discreet, affordable relationship counseling services. Signing up for a subscription starts with filling out an initial questionnaire that covers your basic information. You can provide nicknames on the sign-up page if you don't want to include your full name. 

After adding your information, you can indicate any relationship concerns you'd like to discuss and preferences for a therapist, professionals with a certain specialization (including licensed clinical social workers, psychologists, and family therapists), a particular professional therapy approach, or an LGBT, BIPOC, religious, or same-sex therapist. The initial questionnaire can also allow you to provide contact information for your partner if you will be jointly using the account. 

Once you submit the initial sign-up form, Regain's algorithm can match you with a qualified, licensed mental health provider in as little as 48 hours based on therapist availability. After matching with your new therapist, a chat room via an online portal or app can be created for you, your therapist, and your partner. You can message your therapist from the chat room and receive invites to your scheduled sessions.

Do they offer refunds?

If you are experiencing concerns with your therapist or are unhappy with your service, you can switch therapists anytime at no cost. You can also reach out to the Regain team for guidance on how to change therapists. Regain considers each unique circumstance on a case-by-case basis. If you have concerns about switching therapists or other aspects of the Regain system, contact the team at contact@regain.us.

In addition, you can cancel your Regain subscription at any time. Log into your account, click on the account icon in the top right corner of the screen, select "billing settings" from the dropdown menu, then click "quit therapy."

Getty/Vadym Pastukh
Are you interested in starting couples therapy?

Regain vs. BetterHelp: What's the difference?

You might wonder, is Regain owned by BetterHelp? Regain is the sister site of BetterHelp, a platform that offers individual online counseling and mental health services. Users can expect similar experiences in how subscriptions are set up, digital web tools, and the quality of licensed mental health providers. However, with Regain, couples may easily find special support for relationship, couples, and marriage counseling. 

BetterHelp may have providers specializing in these needs, but the platform serves a broader array of mental health issues. In addition, Regain subscriptions can be divided with a partner, whereas BetterHelp offers individual experiences. It is important to note that therapists on BetterHelp and Regain may not prescribe medication; only licensed psychiatrists or doctors may do that. You may be interested in looking through counseling review pages for additional information regarding BetterHelp and ReGain providers and reading their positive reviews.

Regain vs. in-person therapy

According to one study on internet-based couples therapy via video chat, couples felt the online format was more effective than in-person therapy. The study participants reported feeling emotionally connected with their therapist through the video-based format of sessions. They felt they could focus more on the therapeutic processes taught to them. 

Through platforms like Regain for couples and BetterHelp for individual counseling, you can receive similar benefits by discussing your concerns from any location with an internet connection, and you can choose a therapist based on availability and compatibility. In addition, you can take advantage of features like three-way calling if you and your partner live in different locations, have opposite schedules, or have trouble addressing conflict in the same room.

Takeaway

Regain is an online therapy platform based in the United States that helps couples address their unique relationship problems, challenges, and goals. The platform's licensed providers are specialized in couples counseling and can assist clients in working through emotional issues and cultivating healthy, long-lasting, and loving relationships. Live therapy, including licensed marriage counseling, can take place over chat sessions, phone calls, or video sessions, with flexible scheduling depending on your and the counselor's availability. If you’re wondering if you should choose couples therapy, reach out for more assistance.
Seeking to improve your mental health?
The information on this page is not intended to be a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional. For more information, please read our terms of use.
Get the support you need from one of our therapistsGet started