How Can Online Couples Therapy Offer Relationship Support?
Key takeaways
- If you are experiencing relationship challenges, counseling can help, and online couples counseling may add convenience to the process.
- In online couples therapy, your therapist can help you address the concerns that brought you to therapy. They can teach you communication and conflict-resolution skills to foster a healthier and more fulfilling relationship.
- There are multiple kinds of couples therapy, but regardless of the type of therapy in which you participate, it can benefit both your relationship and your individual mental health.
Relationship issues arise for many couples, and online couples counseling can be an effective, convenient, and affordable way to get support and grow as a couple. From intimacy issues to major life changes, couples counseling can help you face challenges and solve problems. Many people can benefit from learning communication and conflict-resolution skills to help their relationships run smoothly, and a couples therapist can help you and your partner practice these skills. Online couples therapy can increase intimacy and empathy between partners, ultimately improving relationships.
Why do people seek couples counseling?
There are numerous reasons why people seek couples therapy services. Some of the most common reasons couples seek therapy include the following:
- Lack of emotional intimacy
- Physical intimacy difficulties
- Parenting challenges
- Infidelity
- Financial disagreements
- Major life changes
- Frequent conflicts
- Communication issues
- Addiction and mental health conditions
Any couple can attend counseling if they believe they can benefit from support. Many couples also choose to participate in premarital counseling or marriage counseling to cultivate a strong marriage.
How does online couples therapy work?
A couples therapist often has the official title of “licensed marriage and family therapist,” which indicates that they have specialized training and experience working with couples and families. When you see a couples therapist online, you will generally attend video sessions from the comfort of your own home.
How it works
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During the first appointment, you will typically get to know each other, and the therapist may make an initial assessment. From there, you, your partner, and the therapist can agree on some therapy goals. Once you begin going to regular sessions, your therapist can help you and your partner express yourselves and listen to one another’s perspectives, often deepening understanding and empathy. They may also teach communication and conflict resolution skills that you can practice on your own and use in daily life.
Main types of couples therapy
While couples therapists may draw from a variety of therapeutic modalities and strategies, below are some of the main types of online couples therapy:
- The Gottman Method
- Emotionally focused therapy (EFT)
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Imago relationship therapy
What are the benefits of online couples therapy?
No matter what kind of online couples therapy you and your partner decide is best, attending therapy together can improve your relationship, as well as benefit your individual mental health. It can be a more convenient and flexible way to seek support, and you and your partner can even attend from two separate locations if needed.
Furthermore, online therapy for both individuals and couples has been shown to be as effective as in-person therapy. A 2022 study reported that online couples therapy could be a viable alternative to in-person couples counseling sessions.
Positive outcomes associated with in-person and online couples therapy
Some of the many potential benefits of couples therapy include the following:
- Improved communication
- Enhanced conflict-resolution and problem-solving skills
- Increased emotional intimacy
- Increased trust in each other
- Increased relationship satisfaction
- Increased overall well-being
Couples therapy and individual mental health
Not only can couples therapy improve relationship satisfaction, but it may also improve individual mental health and help with symptoms of mental health conditions. However, if one or both partners have significant mental health concerns, it may be wise to seek out individual therapy or other mental health services as well. Specialized types of therapy or additional services, such as dialectical behavior therapy or psychiatry, may address an individual’s mental health needs outside of couples therapy.
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Takeaway
Is online therapy good for couples?
Yes. Research indicates that the average person is better off after couples therapy than between 70 to 80% of individuals who do not begin treatment. This form of therapy can help married couples and other couples resolve conflicts for a more satisfying relationship without the need to commute to a therapist’s office.
How much does online couples therapy cost?
It varies. At Regain, membership costs range from $70 to $100 per week. Your exact cost may depend on factors such as where you live, how you prefer to attend therapy sessions, and the availability of Regain therapists.
Is there free online couples therapy?
Online couples therapy isn’t typically free, but it can be affordable. Some couples in romantic relationships may qualify for financial aid, for example. Online therapy platforms don’t usually accept insurance, but some major insurance companies may reimburse the cost of couples counseling when one or both partners have been diagnosed with a mental health condition. In this case, the marriage counselor or licensed therapist may need to be in network for coverage to apply.
What is the failure rate of couples therapy?
Generally, most couples benefit from sessions with a licensed marriage counselor or couples therapist. While not all couples choose to stay together after therapy, the process can help individuals split amicably and deal with the emotional fallout of a divorce.
Is couples therapy covered by insurance?
Not usually, but insurance plans vary by policy. There may be an exception made when one or more partners have a diagnosable mental disorder. Contact your insurance company to find out more about your specific insurance coverage.
What are the drawbacks of online therapy?
Online therapy can be effective for couples when addressing relationship concerns, but it might not be right for everyone. Some people who meet with licensed therapists online report drawbacks such as a lack of engagement during video sessions, technical issues with internet connectivity, and difficulty interpreting body language during sessions.
What percentage of couples stay together after couples therapy?
Some types of couples therapy, including The Gottman Method, can be successful in up to 75% of cases. Even when couples decide to split up, couples/marriage therapy with licensed marriage and family therapists can help them do so amicably.
How long does couples therapy usually last?
The duration of couples therapy can vary widely from a few months to a few years. Factors that affect how long a couple remains in therapy may include the specific issues addressed (e.g., anger management, communication skills, infidelity), your treatment plan and the type of couples therapy used, and the therapist’s recommendations.
Do you need a diagnosis for couples therapy?
No. However, one or more partners may need a mental health diagnosis in order for their insurance plan to cover therapy with a licensed marriage or couples counselor. Without a diagnosis, you may have to pay out-of-pocket for therapy services.
What should you not say in couples therapy?
Generally, you can feel free to say whatever is on your mind in couples therapy. However, degrading your partner or directly blaming them for problems in the relationship might not be helpful to the therapy process. You may want to keep in mind the goal of fostering a loving relationship and resolving relationship issues in a healthy way.
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