Before starting your first couples’ therapy session, most outlets have you and your partner complete a self-assessment to evaluate your needs. You’ll also have the opportunity to add information about your insurance provider and budget. From there, the services will narrow down their therapists into categories that match your and your partner’s needs. Below, we’ve hand-picked the best online couples’ therapy, as well as your most asked questions about whether these virtual sessions actually work and who can benefit from starting couples’ therapy. If you opt for therapy, the sessions will focus on helping you work through challenges, improve communication, and create a deeper understanding of the relationship. Often the therapist serves as a neutral third party to help both partners better understand each other’s perspective with specific therapeutic techniques and interventions. Whether you choose to pursue therapy or counseling, it’s important to find a licensed clinician, which includes a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed professional counselor (LPC), or licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). Choose from a list of topics you’d like to cover, which includes things like resolving conflicts or bettering your communication skills. You can also specify in your opening assessment whether you’re searching for a therapist with specific certifications, such as professionals certified in emotionally focused therapy. The final therapist is assigned to you, but there’s flexibility to easily change your mental health professional if you don’t feel that it’s a match. Once you’re officially signed on with a therapist, you’ll have access to live video sessions, as well as text communication for an extra element of convenience. Another perk of ReGain is that it allows you to start without a partner, although all sessions will still focus on relationships—but unlike many other services, there’s never an extra charge for adding a partner. Not only can you rest assured knowing the brand has strict licensing requirements for all therapists—guaranteeing the best care—but it also puts access to licensed clinicians at the tip of your fingers with a streamlined app. Use it to schedule appointment times, message your therapist, or manage medications. When you’re ready to start your first session, you’ll have the choice of range of communication types including phone, video chat, or messaging. The couple’s therapy plan also includes four live video sessions. Similar to other online therapy services, the outlet offers phone, video, or live chat sessions, so that you can choose what works best for you and your partner. It also allows for messaging in between sessions through private chat rooms, which are available 24/7 through the app. The assessment looks at each individual’s relationships with their families and friends, how well they trust others, and how they handle conflict, in addition to other personal components. Therapists trained in the Gottman Method emphasize this assessment as a cornerstone of their ability to understand and work with the couple. Because the setup is a far more traditional style of therapy, Couples Therapy Inc. doesn’t offer text services. Instead, it sticks to a formula in terms of treatment available through live video sessions or at an in-person clinic. The site notes that the programs are more successful when taken with a partner; however, they do have a version of the program geared toward individuals. The courses aim to improve communication skills and solve relationship issues by helping partners build up their trust in each other. If you’re working through the courses regularly, they should take about two months to complete.
