Best Online Couples Therapy and Counseling of 2023

ReGain , owned by virtual therapy giant BetterHelp , is an online therapy service focusing exclusively on relationships. You can sign up for couples therapy with your partner or you can sign up for individual, relationship-focused therapy. If you decide to sign up alone, you still have the option to have your partner join you later on.

During the sign-up process, you’re prompted to fill out a brief assessment and this information will be used to match you with a therapist. The assessment questions ask if you would like individual or couples therapy. When you select the couples therapy option, you are asked logistical and screening questions, like whether or not you live with your partner, if there is any domestic violence currently present in your relationship, if you have been in therapy before, why you’re seeking therapy now, and what you’re looking for in a therapist. We like that it asks for your preferences regarding the therapist’s sexual orientation, gender identity, age, and religious background. It also asks about your financial status. If you state that you feel its therapy plan is unaffordable, you’ll be offered a scholarship option.

ReGain offers messaging for both partners in a shared "room," in addition to live sessions. Live sessions, meanwhile, range from 30 to 45 minutes—the initial session is 45 minutes long, with subsequent sessions lasting 30 minutes. You and your partner will share an account and can chime in for support from your therapist as needed. You or your partner can also request an individual session if you would like one-on-one support.

ReGain currently offers one subscription plan, which includes live sessions and messaging. It states its fees range from $60 to $90 per week, but it bills on a monthly basis. When I signed up for the service, I received a quote of $340 per month. I am based in Los Angeles and requested an LGBTQ+ therapist.

Something to keep in mind about pricing is that ReGain uses location-based surge pricing. This means that the exact fee will vary based on your location, your preferences for the type of therapist you’d like to work with, and the demand for therapists in your area. Such a practice can lead to therapy being more cost-prohibitive.

ReGain does not accept insurance or payment through FSAs or HSAs. It also does not provide any free consultations.

According to our survey data, 71% of users would recommend this service to their friends. It also has a high user satisfaction rating, with 77% of users giving it an overall positive rating. Users generally found ReGain to be of good value for the money, with 80% rating it excellent, very good, or good. Overall, 84% of users found ReGain better than other services they’ve used in the past.

Talkspace is a good fit for couples who need occasional or on-demand support on communication issues and general stressors. Its couples therapy sessions are just 30 minutes long, so the time isn’t sufficient for a deep dive. However, couples who are strapped for time may appreciate the brevity. Talkspace currently doesn’t bundle its couples therapy and medication management services, but we do appreciate that it is all available through the same company.

A benefit of having both couples therapy and medication management appointments through the same platform is the ease of having all your needs managed in one place. If you want, you can ask your providers to be in contact with each other. They will typically require you to sign off on a release of information that states you’re comfortable with them sharing confidential details of your treatment with one another. This common practice ensures you don’t have to waste your time repeating updates to each provider and can provide peace of mind that you have an integrated care team.

Regardless of the service you sign up for at Talkspace, you are matched with your provider based on an assessment questionnaire you fill out during the intake process. This questionnaire will ask you questions about why you’re seeking out therapy at this time, preferences you have for couples therapy, and logistical information about you and your partner.

Talkspace offers a couples therapy subscription service, meaning you pay a flat fee of $436 a month ($109 per week) for four 30-minute live couples therapy sessions and unlimited messaging. You can choose to have your sessions held via video or live messaging. As for the unlimited messaging, you’re allowed to send your therapist as many messages as you’d like in-between sessions.

Medication management services are priced per session, with the initial session costing $249 and follow-up sessions costing $125 each.

Talkspace also does currently accept Optum, Cigna, Oscar, and Regence health insurance plans. It also accepts payments through HSA/FSAs but does not provide any free consultations.

The majority of Talkspace users would readily recommend it: 82% of clients said so in our user survey. This platform is also great at taking the guesswork out of finding a couples therapist: 88% of users found it to be very helpful in connecting them to the right therapist. As mentioned, this platform is pricey without insurance; however, 58% of users reported they found it to be affordable.

Some couples prefer to learn concrete skills in therapy that they can practice outside of their weekly 45-minute sessions, which is where Online-Therapy.com excels. Its price point is comparable to other platforms; however, it offers exponentially more resources than its competitors. In addition to weekly sessions, you also receive access to a virtual journal, homework that reinforces the skills learned in session, and yoga videos. These additional features make Online-Therapy.com a great value, especially for couples who want practical ways to work on what they're between sessions. Its services are also great for busy couples who may need to switch to an audio or messaging session unexpectedly.

The sign-up process at Online-therapy.com is very simple. You’ll fill out a brief assessment that asks logistical questions like your age and location, plus questions that ask you to share what you’re hoping to focus on in therapy, your preferred gender identity of your provider, and if you’d like audio, chat, or video sessions. Once you complete the assessment, you are matched with a therapist. If you don’t feel it is a good match, you can easily switch. You just have to log into your patient portal, and on the homepage, you’ll see a button that reads, “change therapists.” Upon clicking it, you’re shown a list of providers you can switch to. Online-therapy.com keeps things simple when it comes to navigating the website and scheduling sessions, which allows you and your partner to focus on the most important part—healing and growing together.

Online-Therapy.com’s couples therapy costs $440 per month ($110 per week) for weekly 45-minute long sessions, unlimited messaging, and virtual coping tools and resources. There is only one couples therapy plan to choose from, though the company has a variety of individual therapy plans. The company is currently offering 20% off your first month of services, making the price $88 per week.

Unfortunately, the service is not in-network with any insurance providers, though it can provide a superbill if you want to independently seek reimbursement through your provider.

Online-Therapy.com received an overall 85% user satisfaction rating in our survey. Additionally, 70% of users were pleased with the program’s additional resources. A total of 82% of clients said they would refer the program to a friend.

The Gottman Referral Network is a directory that compiles couples therapists who specialize in the Gottman Method, a type of therapy developed by clinical psychologists John Gottman, PhD, and Julie Gottman, PhD. This therapy modality was built on tons of research about what factors lead couples to divorce. Based on the predictors identified through arduous study, the Gottman Method aims to teach couples to communicate more calmly, deescalate conflict, dodge stagnation, rekindle intimacy and feel more empathy toward one another.

According to the Gottman Referral Network website, this modality can be helpful for partners who struggle with communication, are blending their families, or are experiencing ongoing mental health stressors. Whether you think working with a Gottman-trained therapist or simply want to learn more about this approach to improving relationships, the Referral Network is a great resource.

If you'd like to try Gottman-style therapy, you’ll enter your state or zip code into the referral netwokr's search field. You can also search for a specific provider or filter your search by factors like level of training, type of insurance accepted, and any specialties you’re specifically seeking. You can also opt to find a couples therapist who offers therapy marathons, which are couples therapy intensives that last for one to three days.

Each Gottman Referral Network profile will indicate the provider's level of training and it's important to understand that there are three different levels of training a Gottman therapist can have. Level one training is an introduction to the method and a prerequisite for any further training. Clinicians who have completed this training have the foundational skills of the method down, like tools to help with conflict management, self-soothing practices, and how to identify goals in couples therapy. Level two clinicians have completed a three-day training that prepares them to address recurring conflicts and help couples develop a shared value system that helps reduce stress in disagreements. Level three provides more in-depth training in managing in-session conflict and teaching each party how to effectively repair after a rupture in the relationship. Certified Gottman therapists have completed all levels of training and have a minimum of 1,000 hours of post-graduate therapy experience.

Providers do not list their pricing nor session lengths on the directory; however, therapy sessions generally range between $60 to $200 and are typically 50 minutes long.

The majority of providers on this directory do not accept insurance, though.

Our subject matter expert Nicholas Hardy, PhD, LCSW found this directory to be excellent for those who are particularly seeking out a Gottman-trained clinician. He also noticed that the referral network offers higher-quality providers than an average therapist database. It can be somewhat challenging to find a couples therapist that focuses specifically on the Gottman Method, with just 14% of therapists across all therapy directories surveyed using this modality. This makes the Gottman Referral Network directory even more helpful.

Founded in 2021 by Jessica Holton, Adam Putterman, and Liz Earnshaw, Ours is a psychoeducational couples experience. It is a four-week program that helps couples learn how to engage in healthy communication around common challenging topics. The program provides a light-hearted approach to topics that can typically feel heavy, evidenced by the inclusion of quirky communication prompts and art projects as program assignments.

You can expect to receive two live sessions with an Ours “guide,” which is its terminology for a relationship coach. You’ll also complete four psychoeducational lessons and respond to various communication prompts. Ours refers to itself as premarital counseling, though it acknowledges that it can be effective for couples in any type of partnership. Each lesson is about an hour long and includes plenty of education on how you and your partner can communicate through financial issues, parenting , setting boundaries, and general differences. You can also expect guided conversations, reflection prompts, fun activities like dancing and scavenger hunts, plus some time to plan for your future. Every session opens with an exercise to get warmed up for the work and closes with an exercise to ground down.

The Ours course includes two private 45-minute sessions with an Ours guide, four 60-minute self-guided educational lessons, and a variety of conversational prompts to explore between sessions.

The cost for this program is $400 total; insurance is not accepted. If you’re not sure about this service, you can try out one live session and one educational session for $50. You’ll pay the other $350 if you decide you’d like to keep going.

Overall, 78% of Ours users said their provider met the majority of their needs. What’s more, 87% of users said it was better than services they’ve used in the past. When it comes to the value of OURS, 79% found it to be of good, very good, or excellent value for the money.

Thriveworks was founded in 2008 by licensed professional counselor Anthony Centore, PhD. It offers a variety of therapy types, including Christian couples therapy. Some couples may prefer to have a therapist who is Christian and can incorporate faith-based practices into their work together. In doing so, they may begin to strengthen their relationship in a way that feels supportive and aligned with their values. This culturally sensitive therapy is readily available through Thriveworks.

To access Thriveworks’ therapy services, you are required to sign up for a membership that costs $39 per month. The membership includes the ability to contact your therapist by phone or email and access Thriveworks' app, Therapy Buddy. With Therapy Buddy, you can record your sessions, jot down a list of topics to explore in session, write down your key therapy takeaways, and more. In your search for a provider, you can filter based on insurance plans to find the right therapist for you. You are able to book your appointments directly through the website, with very few questions asked.

You can call Thriveworks and receive help getting set up with a therapist, or you can choose your provider and book a session directly. If you prefer to choose your own provider, you can filter your search based on insurance, the issue you’re seeking help for, provider identity, and clinical approach.

The specific modality used by each couples therapist varies, but some modalities include the Gottman Method, cognitive behavioral therapy , emotionally focused therapy , Imago relationship therapy , and solution-focused therapy. It is important to note that some therapists will use multiple modalities within their treatment style to ensure they’re meeting all the needs of their clients.

Sessions at Thriveworks are offered either in person, by phone, or on video and last 50 to 60 minutes, though the exact length varies depending on the provider you choose.

Session fees also vary by provider, but generally fall in the range of $60 to $130 per session, with final pricing determined by your location and therapist preferences. There is also a monthly membership fee of $39. However, Thriveworks is covered by most insurance plans.

The good news is that Thriveworks is in-network with most insurance plans and will verify benefits before your first session. However, the type of insurance accepted will vary by therapist—be sure to check if your insurance plan covers couples therapy, though, as many do not.

Thriveworks has a very high user satisfaction rating: 90% of users rated it positively. Therapist qualifications are especially impressive at this company, with 88% of users rating it as good, very good, or excellent. What’s more, 80% of the Thriveworks users we surveyed would recommend the company to a friend. To learn more about Thriveworks, check out our full review .

Going to couples therapy is hard enough as it is. Seeking out therapy specifically for intimacy and sex stressors in a relationship can be even more challenging. Modern Intimacy has a roster of therapists who are either certified or working toward getting certified in sex therapy. This platform offers support for many different folks, including those healing from trauma, members of the LGBTQIA+ community , and those from BDSM/kink communities.

To get started, you will book a 30-minute consultation with an intake coordinator. It is recommended that both you and your partner are present for this. During this consultation, you’ll share what brings you to couples therapy, your goals, and any questions you might have. The intake coordinator will then work to match you with a therapist.

Modern Intimacy prides itself on a nonjudgmental approach, and you can expect its therapists to be versed in modalities like PACT couples therapy , the Gottman Method, Imago therapy , emotionally focused therapy , internal family systems therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy , and attachment theory . Providers also may use trauma-informed therapy , ensuring they cultivate a safe space for both you and your partner.

At Modern Intimacy, therapy can range from $150 to $300 per 50-minute session, depending on the credentials and experience of the provider. The company does not accept insurance, though it can offer you a superbill to submit to your insurance. It also offers a free 30-minute consultation that you can schedule directly on the website.

While Modern Intimacy users weren’t surveyed for this particular project, we did award it as the Best Overall Online Sex Therapy Program in our 2022 round-up . And, of the few reviews of Modern Intimacy we found online, each one rated the company five stars, and the users raved about its services.

It's rather rare to find a therapy group focused exclusively on relationship dynamics. Mindful Care ’s CONNECT therapy group offers a unique opportunity to strengthen your communication skills. Its focus on mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy will support you in developing increased comfort in navigating sticky conversations. Keep in mind, it isn’t solely for romantic partnerships, so you can expect to build solid skills for all your relationships.

There are some things to keep in mind when considering group therapy. First, it isn’t the best for those who are solely seeking individualized feedback. Part of the group therapy experience is hearing others’ perspectives and noticing how they are navigating their healing journey. Plus, being in connection with other group members offers the opportunity to strengthen your relational skills.

Additionally, if you want to discuss sensitive issues and the thought of doing so in a group format gives you pause, group therapy may not be the best for you. Alternatively, if you are eager to develop community, strengthen your communication skills, or are seeking a lower-fee therapy option, group therapy could be a great fit for you.

Mindful Care also offers individual therapy, psychiatry and medication management services, and addiction services for opioid or alcohol use. Additionally, it offers a service it calls “MicroTherapy": urgent 20-minute check-ins with a therapist that you can schedule same-day.

Group therapy at Mindful Care costs $35 per session.

MicroTherapy costs $50 per session. For individual therapy, the initial evaluation costs $150 out-of-pocket, and subsequent 40-minute sessions are $100. An initial 40-minute psychiatric evaluation costs $175, and 20-minute follow-up appointments cost $75. The addiction recovery plan costs $49 per month. Mindful Care is also in-network with many insurance providers, including Cigna, Medicare, Medicaid, and Optum. Plans accepted vary by location, but the company will check your coverage before your treatment begins.

Mindful Care providers come highly rated—95% of users found the service’s clinicians to have good, if not excellent, qualifications. Most users were satisfied with the platform’s clinicians: 82% felt that they were able to meet most, if not all, of their needs. Therapist diversity is another win with this platform: 86% of users found Mindful Care to have a range of diversity among providers.

Little Otter approaches family mental health services with a holistic perspective, meaning there is something for everyone. As parents, when it comes to mental health, the whole family’s well-being can significantly impact the strength of a couple’s relationship. This is where Little Otter comes in. It offers therapy for all members of the family, from kids ages 0 to 14 to individual and couples counseling for parents with little ones seeking care at Little Otter.

You’ll begin by taking a brief questionnaire that offers the company a snapshot of your family’s current stressors. After that, you are delivered a personalized report with insight into the current health of each family member. Then, you book your 30-minute assessment call to get started for $90. In that call, you can share your current challenges and what you hope to receive from couples therapy.

Since this platform is specifically for families, you can expect strong support on parenting challenges. In your assessment call, be sure to ask any and all questions. This can help you gauge your expectations and determine if this is the right service for your relationship. All subsequent sessions are 45 minutes long.

Be aware that Little Otter currently is only available in California, Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C., New York, Illinois, Utah, and Maryland.

Your initial 30-minute assessment session costs $90 at Little Otter. Every session after is 45 minutes long and costs $200.

Unfortunately, Little Otter is only in-network with one insurance provider, but payments can be made through a FSA/HSA.

Little Otter received a 75% overall user satisfaction rating from our survey participants. Little Otter beats out competitors, with 81% of users scoring it higher than similar services they’ve used in the past. Users are a bit more hesitant to refer friends to this company, though, with 58% of clients stating they’d recommend the company to someone else.

Teladoc accepts over 60 different insurance plans, securing its place as our pick for the online couples therapy platform that is best for insurance. In our 2022 Cost of Therapy Survey , 40% of people surveyed required financial support to fund their treatment, and 48% said they’d have to stop treatment altogether if their session fees increased. This speaks to the financial challenges associated with seeking out mental health support. Teladoc is perfect for couples who need to use their insurance benefits to receive care. The service even accepts Medicare and Medicaid .

You will complete a brief assessment during the sign-up process. During this assessment, either you or your partner will be prompted to enter your insurance information, your preference of your therapist’s gender identity, and your medical and mental health history. After you’re registered, you will then head to your patient portal and add your partner to your account. Your partner will then receive an email prompting them to register with the platform. Once they register and complete assessment documents, either party can request a couples therapy session.

After requesting a session, you will be asked a few questions and then will be presented with various providers who could be a good fit. If you’re not pleased with the options provided, you can see a list of all available therapists to select from. Teladoc therapists offer a range of therapy modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy , and trauma-informed therapy, ensuring there isn’t a shortage of great support waiting for you.

Teladoc does not offer an online therapy subscription; instead you pay per therapy session. The cost for these sessions ranges from $0 to $99 per 45-minute couples therapy session, depending on your insurance coverage.

Teladoc does accept over 60 forms of insurance, including some Medicare and Medicaid plans, but be sure to check with your provider to see if couples therapy is covered.

Users are impressed with Teladoc, with 97% of users giving it a positive rating. Teladoc therapists were rated highly for their qualifications, with 94% of users finding their therapist qualifications to be good, very good, or excellent. Diversity saw another win, with 90% of Teladoc users reporting they found the provider options to be diverse, which is a great note for couples with marginalized identities who are seeking support.

Divorce comes with many complications, including grief, custody battles, and court proceedings. Growing Self offers support specifically aimed at the challenges that come with divorce. It provides individual therapy for you to heal solo, couples therapy in case you and your former partner need support in your uncoupling, and support groups so you can connect with others who can relate to your experience.

While it may seem contradictory to hire a couples therapist during a breakup, doing so can help ease the stress and tension that can arise during divorce. You can expect divorce counseling to focus on conflict resolution and developing communication tools to navigate the end of the relationship. Each session is 45 minutes long.

We are also especially impressed with Growing Self's breakup and divorce support group . It is an intimate gathering of six or fewer members who meet every week for about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes. It is facilitated by a divorce counselor and breakup recovery coach who leads the group through various activities and guided discussions. Each session is only $40, ensuring it is financially accessible even in the midst of an expensive divorce. An eight-week commitment is requested to ensure the emotional safety and cohesion of the group is maintained. Keep in mind that this is a coaching-oriented support group. While the facilitator is a divorce counselor and breakup recovery coach, you can expect this group to be more focused on actionable activities and guided discussion rather than in-depth emotional processing.

Couples therapy at Growing Self ranges from $65 to $160 per 45-minute session based on the therapist’s level of training. Sliding scale pricing is available.

Support groups cost $40 per 60-minute group session.

Unfortunately, Growing Self does not accept insurance, but you can schedule a free consultation to get started.

When compared to platforms used in the past, 79% of users found Growing Self to be better. What’s more, 69% of users found the sign-up process to be easy, and another 24% felt it was neither easy nor difficult. While its pricing is higher than some of the other featured companies, 58% of users considered it affordable.

Life after infidelity can feel isolating and scary. Octave ’s clinicians have an eclectic range of training to specifically support couples in repairing their relationship after infidelity. Providers use modalities like emotionally focused therapy , which can help develop trust and a secure attachment.

You are matched with a therapist based on an intake questionnaire where you will be asked to answer logistical questions plus questions that focus on what you’re hoping to gain from couples therapy. Afterwards, you’ll receive an email letting you know that you’ll be matched with a provider within seven to 10 days. Octave’s matching process is individualized. While other platforms may rely on an algorithm, Octave has a care navigator that will review your intake paperwork and work to match you with the best couples therapist.

Counseling after infidelity can support couples in moving forward together. Whether that is deciding to end the relationship or developing tools to move beyond the rupture, couples therapy can help both of you find the best resolution for your unique situation. Furthermore, research backs the efficacy of infidelity counseling. A 2014 study found that those who revealed infidelity in a relationship and received counseling were less likely to get divorced. Additionally, marital satisfaction in couples who were honest about the infidelity in the relationship and received therapy was just as high as married couples who did not engage in infidelity.

It’s important to note, however, that Octave’s services are currently only available in California, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Washington, D.C.

Sessions at Octave are 45 minutes long and range from $190 to $275, with the final price depending on the provider you choose and your location.

The company does accept Anthem Blue Cross of California, Aetna, Health Net and Managed Health Network (MHN), and UnitedHealthcare UMR plan for Mount Sinai. Coverage varies by state.

Octave has an overall user satisfaction rating of 71%. Its matching service is highly regarded amongst clients: 69% of users found it to be helpful in connecting them to a therapist. If they needed a new therapist in the future, 56% of clients surveyed said they would use Octave again.