Getting Help with Online Couples Counseling

Some people might find it odd that a divorce site would offer women the option to find online couples counseling. But the fact is, not everyone facing divorce wants their marriage to end. There’s a good possibility that many want to try and save their marriage if there’s a chance. 

There are a variety of reasons people seek a divorce: lack of intimacy, poor communication, spiteful behavior, and extramarital affairs are a few of the common ones. These are all symptoms of a bigger problem, but couples often focus on these symptoms as the main problem - the unresolvable issue that leads them to seek a divorce. 

Divorce should always be a last resort and before choosing to end your marriage, you need to:

  • identify the main problems affecting your marriage that are causing these symptoms, and 
  • make sure there is no good way to resolve these problems. 

This is why marriage counseling is vital. It will help you and your partner look past the symptoms and identify this core, underlying problem. Once you know the problem, you’ll know if it is solvable. If it isn’t, then divorce is probably the right option. 

Is Online Marriage Counseling Effective?

Online marriage counseling can be as effective as in-person couples counseling according to a Frontiers in Psychology study done on couples therapy delivered through videoconferencing. Online marriage counseling is a viable option for couples seeking to resolve their marital issues, especially when they don't have assess to those types of services in their area.

Many people who participate in online therapy also like that online counseling fits into their schedule better, especially if they don't have to take time off from work. Another benefit of online couples therapy is that it removes the stigma of possibly being seen by friends or family visiting a marriage counselor. It's a way of protecting your privacy.

Having said all that, for any type of marriage counseling to work, both spouses need to be on the same page about saving the marriage. If one spouse is living a separate life (or is already involved in another romantic relationship), the chances of marriage counseling being successful go way down.

Where can I Find Online Couples Counseling? 

Some of the better-know online therapy services include:

  • BetterHelp
  • Talkspace 
  • Regain 
  • Couples Therapy Inc. 
  • Our Relationship
  • Growing Self

WomansDivorce.com has partnered with BetterHelp to bring you easy, affordable access to marriage and couples counseling. BetterHelp is an online counseling platform that will allow you and your partner to speak to a licensed professional counselor from the comfort of your home by video, phone or direct messaging. (*Please note our website receives compensation for referrals to BetterHelp)

When you sign up for BetterHelp, you’ll be asked a series of questions to help their system understand what you are struggling with. BetterHelp will analyze your answers and match you and your partner with a counselor best-suited to meet the needs of your relationship. Here is what the questionnaire looks like: 

Too often, we settle on a counselor who is closest to our location. BetterHelp ensures you end up with the counselor who has trained their whole career to help you with what you’re struggling with the most. If for some reason you don’t click with your counselor, you can request a new one for free. 

Conducting sessions on BetterHelp is a breeze. Once you and your partner sign up, you’ll be taken to a dashboard shared with both of you and your counselor. Here you both can message your counselor as often as you want, and they usually respond within a few hours. You’ll also be able to schedule weekly, live sessions which are conducted via phone call, live chat or video chat. 

How much does online marriage counseling cost?

Online couples counseling services usually cost between $60 to $200 per session depending on the service and provider. It's important to note that most insurance policies don't cover marriage counseling, so this will be something you'll have to pay for out of your own pocket. Having said that, it doesn't hurt to check your insurance policy to find out if you can be reimbursed for the counseling sessions.

Here are the prices for the online counseling services mentioned above:

  • BetterHelp: $70-$100/week 
  • Talkspace: $69 to $109/week and covered by some insurance plans 
  • Regain: $70-$100/week 
  • Couples Therapy Inc: starts at $150/session 
  • Our Relationship: from $99 to $249 for six months 
  • Growing Self: $85 - $140/session

BetterHelp’s prices vary, depending on where you're located and therapist availability. The average cost of a single in-person counseling session in the United States is $75-$150, which makes BetterHelp an affordable option. (*Please note our website receives compensation for referrals to BetterHelp.)

Sign up for BetterHelp here!

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