Benefits Of Online Marriage Counseling

Updated September 08, 2021

Medically Reviewed By: Laura Angers

Are you and your partner searching for ways to fix serious issues in your relationship? You're not alone. Many couples today are seeking out marriage counseling and licensed therapists to help them resolve major issues in their relationships. The most important thing for individuals seeking relationship and family counseling to understand is that no couple (or family) is immune to conflict. Everyone runs into issues, you are not alone! If you're looking to work through relationship problems, marriage counseling online or relationship counseling online may be the help you need.

Virtual Couples Therapy

When you think of marriage counseling, you may envision in-person counseling sessions in a traditional counseling clinic. When in-office therapy sessions are the only available option, some individuals choose not to seek therapy. Today, there are other options, such as online marriage counseling, for individuals looking to gain the benefits of therapy without the pressure of traditional in-office therapy sessions. Online therapy is making it possible for everyone in a relationship to take part in therapy sessions from wherever they happen to be in the world.

Through websites like BetterHelp, spouses can take part in online therapy sessions. When people opt for therapy online - they can securely and privately search for a therapist to connect with, from the comfort of their own home. Searching for a therapist online to provide therapy through an online platform often feels less stressful because there isn't as much direct contact, providing even the most private individuals a way to find the help they need through private online therapy sessions.

Online Relationship Counseling Can Make All The Difference

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This website is owned and operated by BetterHelp, who receives all fees associated with the platform.

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Taking part in online therapy sessions regularly can lead to the following long-term benefits for couples. (Keep in mind that the benefits for in-person therapy, online therapy, and virtual therapy are proven to be equally effective.)

Improved communication and new techniques for constructively handling conflict.
Experience a re-engagement in the relationship and a reminder of what attracted you to each other in the first place.
Help you and your partner develop a new foundation for your relationship to stand on.
Speaking openly and honestly about issues in your marriage, leading to real solutions.

No relationship is perfect, but that doesn't mean you need to settle for one fraught with conflict. Seeking the help of licensed counselors virtually can provide you with the help you need to work through issues with your spouse constructively.

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Couples Therapy Tips

Choose An Online Counselor You Agree On

When couples decide to go into online relationship therapy, they can end up with a counselor that favors one over the other. Even if the counselor is fair, their personality might mesh better with one partner. The wonderful thing about online marriage therapy is that you and your significant other can easily switch to a new counselor if needed.

Learn To Communicate Healthily

Healthy communication is a cornerstone of a good relationship. A virtual counselor can explain healthy communications for couples, guide you in understanding how you communicate at the start of therapy and encourage you to continue using these tools after therapy.

Combine Individual And Marriage Counseling Online

Many marriage counselors require that each of you have an individual counselor. The two of you will likely bring up issues that one of you needs to deal with privately. While the couples counselor must remain impartial, an individual counselor is there to understand and guide only you.

Online Relationship Counseling Can Make All The Difference

Ready To Get Started? - Get Matched With A Licensed Therapist Today

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Embrace Counseling Privacy

Deciding to go into marriage therapy is a big step. You might feel vulnerable if others know you're having problems in your relationship. With online therapy, no one ever needs to know the two of you are seeking help. You can do it in the privacy of your own home or even on vacation.

Work With A Licensed Online Marriage Counselor

Before you invest in virtual therapy, check out the counselors on the platform you're using to ensure they have the right qualifications to help you. With trusted, reputable sites, you can ensure your counselor has credentials in the field of psychology and therapy.

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What To Expect With BetterHelp

Couples Email Registration

You and your partner will start the process by registering for a free therapy account online. Your email address is used to communicate with counselors regarding your online therapy sessions. When you register, it's up to you if you want to use your real names - or register anonymously.

Individual Questionnaire

After you complete your registration, the next step is to complete an intake questionnaire. This questionnaire is one of the tools that therapy online professionals have used in helping couples to make the most out of their therapy services.

Couples Questionnaire

Your therapist can create a relationship assessment that is unique to your relationship based on the answers in this couple's questionnaire. The assessment can act as a baseline for when couples start virtual therapy sessions.

Couples Assessment

Your therapist will make an individual and joint assessment of your situation based on the results of the intake questionnaire. From here, your therapist will create a treatment plan that will guide your virtual therapy sessions.

Marriage Counseling Services Treatment Plan

When you start therapy services virtually with your spouse - your sessions will begin based on your initial assessments and treatment plans created by you, your spouse, and your virtual counselor. Your counselor will provide focused relationship therapy based on the needs identified in your treatment plan.

Online Relationship Counseling Can Make All The Difference

Ready To Get Started? - Get Matched With A Licensed Therapist Today

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Online Vs In-Person Marriage Counseling Sessions

Traditionally, sessions with an in-office therapist for in-person therapy lasted an hour. Today's virtual therapy session options for therapy services are more flexible. Therapists who specialize in virtual therapy are available via therapy platforms like BetterHelp 24/7. This means that you and your spouse have access to a licensed couples therapist for therapy or relationship therapy - any time of the day or night.

After your initial therapy session, your therapist will schedule you for subsequent therapy sessions to continue treatment based on the severity of your couple's concerns and your availability. You and your spouse will get to share your perspective on how you feel about how the therapy services are working. For example, if you find that some couple's exercises given to you by your counselor are more effective than others, you can make these adjustments.

The best virtual therapy services provide a full spectrum of options that can meet the couple's needs from dating through marriage. It may surprise you to learn that leading services like BetterHelp who specialize in virtual therapy treatment for individuals, those in relationships, and families - also offer premarital counseling relationship therapy. Premarital therapy is a component of relationship therapy dedicated to helping couples build stronger marriages.

Premarital counseling addresses the same couples issues that virtual therapy and relationship therapy address for married individuals. Your premarital marriage counselor will walk you and your partner through developing good couples communication skills, financial skills, and couples conflict-resolution strategies.

When couples work to take part in therapy virtually, couples have the opportunity to arrange the setting for the sessions with their counselor however they like it. You might feel more comfortable in a space that's set up differently for more focused relationship therapy. When couples take part in virtual therapy services that specialize in online distance therapy - you can find a therapist or counselor to meet you in the comfort of your own home on your terms.

Marriage therapy virtually gives you and your partner the freedom to express ourselves in the most comfortable environment for you. Being able to take part in online counseling for couples eliminates the stress of long commutes for therapy appointments. People who take part in therapy virtually reported improved quality of life and a higher marital satisfaction rate than people who don't get counseling virtually.

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BetterHelp has licensed online therapists waiting to help guide you and your partner through counseling to improve your relationship. You have the benefits of traditional counseling with all the benefits listed above. You can read reviews of some BetterHelp counselors below.

BetterHelp Therapist Reviews

"Stephanie is a gem! She's very thoughtful, thorough, honest, insightful but most of all helpful. This is coming from a person that never wanted to do counseling and just "knew" I didn't need it. She's been key in helping my wife and me find our better place. She made us grow as a couple and individually. Thanks, Steph!"

"The longer I work with Dr. Simon, the more grateful I am to have found a counselor who strikes such a kind balance between supporting and empathizing as well as challenging and coaching. She's been invaluable to the progress I've made individually and in my relationship."

Couples Virtual Therapy Final Thoughts

Couples counseling doesn't have to be difficult and uncomfortable. If you're struggling in your relationship, the tools are there to help rebuild your connection. Take the first step to a fulfilling relationship today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online Marriage Counseling

Does BetterHelp offer virtual therapy or virtual relationship therapy?

Yes. BetterHelp offers individual and online couples therapy services, and couple's therapy virtually. Using BetterHelp therapy services and virtual therapy, relationship therapy sessions allow both partners to start therapy by participating in question and answer sessions with their qualified therapists.

What does virtual relationship therapy help with?

Online couples therapy and virtual couples counseling help couples to work together to build stronger foundations and more solid relationships. Taking part in relationship therapy teaches critical coping and communication skills.

Can you do marriage therapy or virtual relationship therapy via the internet?

Yes. Virtual counseling is affordable and available. There are both free and low-cost therapy options available via the internet. Free counseling options are available in the form of peer-to-peer therapy networks, group therapy, and free self-help therapy resources on the internet.

Do marriage counselors ever suggest divorce in virtual therapy?

One study found that the reason for the vast majority of divorces comes down to a lack of commitment. Your counselor is a licensed therapist who understands that not all situations will result in the most desirable outcome. When you take part in therapy virtually, your relationship therapist will give informed and educated advice based on the information shared and discussed during therapy.

What do you do in virtual relationship therapy?

Couples therapy consists of a series of question-and-answer sessions, advice from therapists, verbal and written exercises. The majority of relationship therapy is spent in conversation with your relationship therapist, where you work together to identify issues in your relationships and the best strategies to implement to resolve them.

If you're seeing your relationship therapist virtually as a counselor, you'll get an educated opinion and professional advice on how to improve the quality of your relationship. Virtual relationship therapy focuses on helping couples to identify and resolve challenges in their intimate relationship. People take part in therapy, couples therapy, and virtual relationship therapy.

Is virtual marriage therapy or virtual relationship therapy effective?

Virtual therapy has been found in research to be just as effective as face-to-face therapy. However, it’s important to remember that the effectiveness of virtual therapy in addressing relationship issues will depend on your willingness, to be honest, and implement the things that you’re learning in virtual therapy.

How much does virtual marriage therapy cost?

The cost of virtual relationship therapy varies the same way that face-to-face couple therapy does. However, many virtual therapy options are more affordable than face-to-face therapy sessions In-person. Many virtual therapy options even come with an unlimited messaging option that allows you to get help as you need it.

If you’re looking to save money, you may be interested in finding free online therapy. You may find yourself looking for free trial periods or joining virtual support groups and while you may be able to get some help from these options, they are not a replacement for working with board-certified mental health professionals.

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Benefits Of Online Marriage Counseling

Virtual Couples Therapy