The Benefits Of Online Couples Counseling

Medically reviewed by Arianna Williams, LPC, CCTP
Updated May 10, 2023by BetterHelp Editorial Team

Have you been experiencing relationship challenges and wondering whether online couples therapy works? If so, you’re not alone. Thousands of couples have asked the same question about therapy, and it’s a valid question. Whether you’re experiencing money troubles, intimacy problems, or jealousy, there are therapy options that can be tailored to your specific situation and your preferences for therapy. You don’t necessarily have to go to a therapist’s office anymore, as thousands of therapists now offer online therapy, including couple counseling exercises that can be completed from the comfort of your own home.

Why Couples Counseling?

Conflict is something that occurs in all relationships. While many couples may think that they have fallen out of love with each other, their relationship may just be transitioning to a different stage. The initial stage of a relationship can only last so long. When that wears off, couples may experience conflict, but it can lead to a more mature stage of the relationship.

Aside from this transition, there are also more complicated reasons why couples end up in counseling. It could be due to infidelity, parenting disagreements, or a break in trust. These are complicated situations that couples may struggle to work through if they are left on their own. If you’re experiencing any of these challenges, a licensed therapist may be able to help you sort through what caused the situation and what options you have for moving forward.

Many relationship problems are fixable, and couples are able to recover from them if they address them head-on. Trying to ignore problems or sweep them under the rug will likely not help couples to move forward. 

Why Should I Choose Online Couples Counseling?

Wider Selection Of Therapists

If you or your partner is uncomfortable going to a therapist’s office, you might try online couples counseling, which research has shown to be just as effective as in-person counseling. One of the benefits of online couple counseling is that it tends to offer a wider pool of therapists to choose from. It can be difficult for two people to agree on a therapist they want to meet with in their community. With online therapy, such as that offered at BetterHelp, you can be matched with a therapist experienced in couples counseling. If either of you doesn’t feel that the therapist is a good fit, you can always switch therapists until you both feel comfortable.

Comfort

Another benefit of online couples counseling related to the setting. With online therapy, you don’t have to worry about sitting in a therapist’s waiting room or going into an office that feels unfamiliar. When you address challenging topics, you might feel more comfortable doing so from the comfort of your own home or from anywhere with an internet connection. Even if you or your partner travels for work, you can still engage in online therapy from separate locations on a schedule that works for both of you.

Affordability

Aside from the convenience of online couples therapy, it can often be more affordable than in-person sessions. Online platforms like BetterHelp tend to offer a subscription service that is usually comparable to or more affordable than in-person therapy without insurance. 

Diverse Modes Of Communication With Your Therapist

With online couples therapy, you can choose how you’d like to communicate with your therapist. For example, you can often communicate via phone, videoconferencing, or in-app messaging.

With in-app messaging, you can write to your therapist 24 hours a day, seven days a week, about any questions or concerns, and they’ll get back to you as soon as they can. This type of wrap-around support means that you don’t have to wait until your next session to express something that is on your mind. This feature may lead to significant breakthroughs and help you make progress faster.

Separately And Together

Many couples prefer to talk to a therapist separately until they feel more comfortable engaging with a therapist together. Not only is this perfectly acceptable, but it can actually be more effective for everyone involved. Depending on your specific situation, it may help each individual process through the situation on their own in order to get to a point where they’re ready to work together.

Sometimes, during couples counseling, you will have some appointments that are separate and some that are together. Once you have made progress, your appointments may switch to be all combined.

How To Benefit From Counseling

One of the ways to benefit the most from counseling is to be an active participant. Showing up for the appointment is simply not enough. If you want to work on repairing your relationship, you may have more success if you prepare to actively engage in the counseling sessions. It may help to remember that you don't have to be afraid to answer questions and open up with your significant other as well as with the therapist. Being honest with each other can be one of the biggest keys to moving forward in a healthy way.

Takeaway

Whatever challenges you and your partner are facing, you don’t have to navigate them alone. With online counseling at BetterHelp, you can choose how you want to engage in online couples therapy, whether via videoconferencing, phone, or in-app messaging—or a mix of all three modalities. BetterHelp has been recommended by the American Psychological Association (APA) and has grown its roster of licensed to therapists to over 30,000 professionals. Take the first step toward a healthier relationship and reach out to BetterHelp today.

For additional help & support with your concerns

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