Key points
- Online couples therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions for improving relationship satisfaction.
- Popular platforms offer a range of tools, like unlimited texting, live video sessions, and guided self-help programs.
Relationship conflicts are completely normal. Still, they can be extremely distressing and confusing. Seeking couple’s therapy when issues feel insurmountable can help you find common ground — and a way forward with your partner.
More and more people are finding that online therapy is the easiest option. If that option sounds appealing to you, we have some good news: Couples therapy, like individual therapy, is having a renaissance online.
A 2022 study found that couples that did couples therapy via videoconferencing experienced improvements in relationship satisfaction, mental health, and other positive outcomes over time — just like couples who did couples therapy in person.
Getting started is often the hardest part. If you’ve never been to couples therapy before, you might be wondering what it’s about. These articles are good jumping off points:
Here are our picks for the best couples therapy services available this year:
*Our writers and editors choose products or services that we think might be helpful for our readers. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page.
Our top picks for the best couples therapy online
ReGain
ReGain, with its slightly depressing tagline “ReGain Affection,” was created by popular online therapy service BetterHelp. The platform focuses on relationship therapy, offering unlimited messaging and weekly live sessions with a licensed therapist.
- Cost: $65–$100 per week
- Ease of use: Easy sign-up, simple matching with a therapist, matched and scheduled within 24 hours
- Takes insurance: No
- Would try again: Yes (87% rated “very good” or “excellent”)
Pros
- Professional therapy with licensed therapists
- Relationship-focused therapy
- Quick therapist matching and switching, meaning you can switch therapists easily if you want to
- User-friendly platform with chat, text, video, and call options
- Higher user satisfaction
Cons
- No insurance or FSA/HSA coverage
- Sessions are brief (20 to 40 minutes)
- Surge pricing based on location, meaning you may pay more at some times than others
Talkspace
Talkspace was one of the first online therapies and has built a trusty following. The service offers therapy through on-demand messaging and live video, and accepts many insurance plans.
They also have a specialized “couples therapy” package which includes unlimited messaging and four 30-minute live sessions for around $400 a month.
- Cost: $69–$129 per week, with beginner discounts
Ease of use: Fast matching, many communication formats - Takes insurance: Yes, and eligible for FSA/HSA
- Would try again: Yes
Pros
- Accepts some insurance coverage
- Plenty of communication tools, especially off camera
- Quick therapist matching and switching (using AI)
- Offers individual sessions for folks in couples
Cons
- Higher-end plans are pricey
- Text-based communication leads to more therapist inconsistency, according to reviews
- Shorter sessions than a traditional therapist (30 minutes)
Couples Therapy Inc.
Couples Therapy Inc. provides a more traditional therapeutic option with clinicians trained in Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), two of the most well-researched approaches to couples therapy.
While they invite couples to weekend-long, in-person retreats on their website, they also provide a video-based 3-month plan, offering weekly or intensive half-day sessions.
- Cost: $125–$250 per session
- Ease of use: Moderate, with structured scheduling and more prep required
- Takes insurance: No
- Would try again: Yes
Pros
- Highly trained therapists
- Science-based sessions, with option for intensives
- Begins intake with extensive questioning, using the “BIG BIG book”
Cons
- No cheap option
- Less flexible for quick check-ins
- Larger time commitment
- Doesn’t take insurance
Online-Therapy.com
Online-Therapy.com largely emphasizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) therapy techniques, and facilitates communication between patient and therapist through live sessions and chat.
The service has a video call program for couples therapy, and offers a pretty extensive DIY toolbox of worksheets, journaling, activity planning, and yoga.
- Cost: $60-$120 per week
- Ease of use: Moderate, with modular resources
- Takes insurance: No
- Would try again: Yes (97% satisfaction; 99% recommendation)
Pros
- CBT-based support
- Includes worksheets, journals, and videos
- High user satisfaction
Cons
- Limited couples-specific focus
- No real-time messaging
- No insurance or FSA/HSA coverage
OurRelationship
OurRelationship offers a self-paced, relationship-centric program that you can either complete with or without a coach.
It’s different than live therapy, but a 2023 randomized control trial found this program had a measurable impact on relationship quality.
- Cost: $50 per month (self‑guided) or $150 per month (coached)
- Ease of use: Moderate, structured online modules and occasional coach calls
- Takes insurance: No
- Would try again: Likely
Pros
- Evidence-based
- DIY self-help for busier couples
- Great long-term retention
Cons
- Requires discipline to stick with the program
- Only provides access to coach with the $150 per month plan
- No insurance or FSA/HSA coverage
- Some users have complained about the website and app functionality
Frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about online couples therapy.
Is online couples therapy effective?
Yes. For example, a 2022 study found online couples therapy via videoconferencing was just as effective as in-person therapy.
What is the most effective form of couples therapy?
Methods like Gottman, EFT, and Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT) have been shown to improve quality of relationships, but there is no one-size-fits-all couples therapy. It’s generally recommended that you try different therapists and approaches until you find one that works for your relationship.
Is there any good free online couples therapy?
It’s difficult to find free or even low-cost therapy with a licensed professional, but some therapy services, like OurRelationship, provide free, self-guided materials you can use at no cost.
Can I use ChatGPT as a couples therapist?
There is some anecdotal evidence that ChatGPT works as a couples therapist, but you may find it the chat box platform limiting, and the artificial intelligence an unreliable source of advice for more complex issues.
The final word
Couples therapy, like conflict resolution, has many creative paths. Online therapy is one research-backed path, offering an accessible alternative to traditional, in-person sessions.
Ruby Anderson
Ruby Anderson (she/her) is a Brooklyn-based health writer and collaborator on projects related to prison abolition and reform. She studied English and Psychology, so she's also, unfortunately, a poet.