By: Stephanie Kirby
Updated July 22, 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 therapy online may be the help you need.
Reasons Others Have Benefited From Online Couple Counseling
When you think of couples 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 marriage therapy. Today, there are other options, such as online, for individuals looking to gain the benefits of marriage therapy without the pressure of traditional in-office therapy sessions. Online marriage therapy is making it possible for everyone in a relationship to take part in marriage therapy sessions from wherever they happen to be in the world.
Through websites like BetterHelp, spouses can take part in online marriage therapy sessions. When people opt for marriage 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 marriage 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 marriage online therapy sessions.
This website is owned and operated by BetterHelp, who receives all fees associated with the platform.
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Benefits Of Online Marriage Counseling And Relationship Counseling
Taking part in virtual marriage therapy sessions regularly can lead to the following long-term benefits for couples. (Keep in mind that the benefits for in-person marriage therapy, virtual marriage 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 marriage counselors virtually can provide you with the help you need to work through issues with your spouse constructively.
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Choose An Online Counselor You Both Can Agree On
When couples decide to go into virtual 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 virtual couples therapy is that you and your significant other can easily switch to a new counselor if needed.
Learn To Communicate In A Healthy Way And More Effectively
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 Therapy And Couples Therapy Online
Many couples 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.
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Limit Your Vulnerability Online
Deciding to go into couples 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 Relationship Therapist
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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When you begin the online marriage therapy process with BetterHelp.com, here's what you can expect.
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 marriage 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 marriage therapy online professionals have used in helping couples to make the most out of their marriage 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 marriage 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 marriage therapy sessions.
Marriage Counseling Services Treatment Plan
When you start marriage 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 marriage counselor. Your marriage counselor will provide focused relationship therapy based on the needs identified in your treatment plan.
Virtual Couples Therapy Sessions vs. In-Person Therapy Sessions
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Traditionally, sessions with an in-office therapist for in-person marriage therapy lasted an hour. Today's virtual therapy session options for marriage 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 licensed couples therapist for therapy or relationship therapy - any time of the day or night.
Virtual Relationship Therapy - Maintenance
After your initial therapy session, your therapist will schedule you for subsequent marriage therapy sessions to continue treatment based on the severity of your couples concerns and your availability. You and your spouse will get to share your perspective on how you feel about how the marriage therapy services are working. For example, if you find that some couples exercises given to you by your marriage counselor are more effective than others, you can make these adjustments.
Premarital Counseling
The best virtual marriage 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.
Create The Right Environment For Therapy
When couples work to take part in marriage therapy virtually, couples have the opportunity to arrange the setting for the sessions with your marriage counselor however you 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 marriage therapy services that specialize in online distance therapy - you can find a therapist or marriage 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 marriage therapy virtually reported improved quality of life and a higher marital satisfaction rate than people who don't get marriage therapy virtually.
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BetterHelp has licensed online therapists waiting to help guide you and your partner through therapy to improve your relationship. You have the benefits of traditional therapy with all the benefits listed above. You can read reviews of some BetterHelp counselors below.
Counselor 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 I 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."
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)
- Does BetterHelp offer virtual therapy or virtual relationship therapy?
Yes. BetterHelp offers individual therapy, marriage therapy virtually, online couples therapy services, and couple's therapy virtually. Using BetterHelp therapy services and virtual therapy, relationship therapy sessions allow both partners to start marriage 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. Marriage therapy virtually is affordable and available. There are both free and low-cost marriage therapy options available via the internet. Free marriage counseling options are available in the form of peer-to-peer therapy networks, group therapy, and free self-help marriage 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 marriage counselor is a licensed therapist who understands that not all situations will result in the most desirable outcome. When you take part in marriage therapy virtually, your relationship therapist will give informed and educated advice based on the information shared and discussed during marriage therapy.
- What is the difference between marriage therapy and virtual relationship therapy?
Marriage therapy is focused on current events, while relationship therapy is focused on past events that most likely led to the current issues.
- 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 marriage counselor, you'll get an educated opinion and professional advice on how to improve the quality of your marriage. Virtual relationship therapy focuses on helping couples to identify and resolve challenges in their intimate relationship. People take part in marriage 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 a board-certified mental health professional.
- How do you do relationship therapy at home?
By using virtual therapy, you can do couple therapy at home. Many of the best virtual therapy options will provide you with multiple ways to access help. This could be through live chat with unlimited messaging, face to face on video sessions, or through phone calls.
- When should you consider virtual couples therapy or virtual relationship therapy?
The right time to get therapy may vary by person. Relationships that are facing crisis, trying to rebuild intimacy, or just going through struggles from day to day stress can benefit. It’s been found that the sooner a couple reaches out for help the more effective therapy can be for them.
Couples therapy is typically paid for out of pocket. Couples therapy online can be a more affordable option.
- What are good relationship questions?
Good questions for individuals in relationships to discuss depends on the situation. If the couple is in crisis, good questions can be the ones that help them get to the heart of the problem so they can reconnect and move forward in a healthy way.
- How do you rebuild intimacy in a relationship?
If you want to rebuild intimacy in your relationship it can be helpful to work with professional counselors. Depending on the issues that you’re facing within your relationship, you could benefit from different types of therapy, such as:
Therapy Is PersonalIf you’re still wondering if
therapy is right for you, and how much therapy costs, please contact us at
contact@betterhelp.com. BetterHelp specializes in therapy virtually to help address all types of mental health concerns. If you’re interested in individual therapy, please reach out to
contact@betterhelp.com and check out our
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