Have You and Your Partner Been Considering Therapy? Look No Further Than These 10 Options (2024)

If you've heard that going to couples therapy is a sign of trouble, you're not alone. Yes, it can be helpful if there is a big issue in your relationship, like infidelity, but it can also be beneficial during the good times. Plus, clinical studies have shown that couples therapy can enhance overall relationship satisfaction. A relationship therapist can help you learn to manage conflict, communicate with your partner better, or navigate differences you might have around parenting styles, sex, money management, and more.

"Couples counseling isn't just for people whose relationship is on the rocks. It can actually support an already strong relationship, and even prevent relationship troubles that might otherwise have cropped up down the line," says Hannah Owens, LMSW.

That’s why we evaluated 80 different online therapy services by surveying over 10,000 users who had used these companies. We also tested many of the services ourselves. These ten companies allow you to seek support from anywhere, cater to a variety of budgets, and offer a quality of service that we recommend.

The 10 Best Online Couples Therapy Companies of 2024

Why Trust Us

82

Companies reviewed

8,400

Total users surveyed

350

Data points analyzed

We surveyed 100 users from 55 online therapy companies and 27 therapist directories to understand their experiences with these services. Then, we tested the services ourselves across multiple states, conducted comprehensive data collection research, and evaluated our results with the help of a licensed therapist.

Why Trust Us?

When choosing an online therapy provider, we recommend that you read the company’s privacy guidelines before you sign up to better understand whether it is HIPAA-compliant and whether it shares any private information with third parties. There have been some concerns raised by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and several government officials about what user health information online therapy providers collect and what they do with any information they collect.

Our Online Therapy Methodology

Curious about the extensive work we did to research and evaluate online therapy companies? Take a look at our online therapy methodology.

The 10 Best Online Couples Therapy Services We Tried and Tested in 2024

The 10 Best Online Couples Therapy Services We Tried and Tested in 2024

  • Our Top Picks
  • ReGain
  • Talkspace
  • Online-Therapy.com
  • Gottman Referral Network
  • Thriveworks
  • Modern Intimacy
  • Mindful Care
  • Little Otter
  • Growing Self
  • Octave
  • See More (7)
  • Compare Providers
  • Guide to Choosing the Best Online Couples Therapy

  • Is Online Couples Therapy Right For You?

  • FAQs

Most Flexible :ReGain

Have You and Your Partner Been Considering Therapy? Look No Further Than These 10 Options (1)

  • Price:$260-$360+ per month
  • Is Insurance Accepted?:No
  • Type Of Therapy:Couples Therapy, Individual Therapy

Why We Chose It

ReGain, owned by virtual therapy giant BetterHelp, stood out from all 80 companies we tested because it is an online therapy service focusing exclusively on relationships. You can sign up for couples therapy with your partner or for individual, relationship-focused therapy. If you decide to sign up alone, you can also still invite your partner to join you later on. This flexibility makes ReGain a great choice no matter what kind of relationship therapy you need.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Can join with a partner, alone, or invite your partner later

  • Matches you with a therapist

  • Services are focused exclusively on relationships

  • Highly qualified therapists are available

  • You and your partner can access sessions from different devices

Cons

  • Doesn’t take insurance

  • Have to sign up before learning price and therapist options

  • Sessions are short

Our Testing

We had six people from four different locations (New York, Ohio, South Dakota, and the United Kingdom) test out ReGain’s couples counseling services, both with and without their partners—and overall, our experience was positive, with ReGain’s flexibility standing out to us the most.

We found it easy to schedule therapy sessions at all different times of the day, from early morning to mid-day (on our work lunch breaks) to in the evening after work. We could schedule sessions on weekends with some therapists, and one of our therapists was even willing to accommodate appointment times not listed on their schedule upon request. In addition, the company also allowed us and our partners to access our therapy sessions from two different locations, making it even easier for us to use its services. After being assigned a therapist, we had the option to select that therapist or to request someone else; this flexibility was important when choosing a provider because it allowed us to keep searching until we found our best match.

"My husband and I both work 9-5 so we are unavailable during the day for the most part. [Our therapist] was very willing to work with us to find a time that best suits us even if that time was out of her typical schedule."

-Verywell Mind ReGain tester

There are a few things to consider before trying ReGain, though. First, ReGain offers messaging for both partners in a shared "room," in addition to live sessions—this means that whatever you write to your therapist in the room is visible to your partner. We found this to be uncomfortable, and it discouraged us from using this chat function. In addition, live sessions range from 30 to 45 minutes long—and we did not feel this was an adequate amount of time for a couples therapy session. Something else to keep in mind 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.

Plans & Pricing

  • Insurance Accepted: No, and does not accept payment through flexible spending accounts (FSAs) or health savings accounts (HSAs)
  • Subscription Required: Yes
  • Out-of-Pocket Costs: $65 to $90 per week, billed on a monthly basis

What Users Say

We surveyed 100 users of ReGain:

  • 87% rated ReGain as very good or excellent overall
  • 93% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
  • 98% said that most or all of their needs were met at ReGain
  • 98% are likely or very likely to recommend ReGain to a friend or someone like them
  • 28% were seeking couples counseling, 18% were seeking marriage counseling, and 7% were seeking premarital counseling

Read the FullReGain Online Therapy Review

Best for Busy Couples :Talkspace

Have You and Your Partner Been Considering Therapy? Look No Further Than These 10 Options (2)

  • Price:$276 to $436 per month for therapy subscriptions
  • Is Insurance Accepted?:Yes
  • Type Of Therapy:Couples Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen Counseling

Get $85 off your first month with code VERYWELL85.

Why We Chose It

While Talkspace doesn’t offer the longest sessions, it’s a great option for busy couples looking for a relationship tune-up because of its convenience. Your sessions are 30 minutes long, but they can be scheduled at flexible times, and you have the option of messaging your therapist in a joint portal 24/7 with a guaranteed response five days a week. Plus, couples can use Talkspace therapy as a one-stop shop for all your therapy needs beyond the ones you want to explore as a couple: You can sign up for individual talk therapy, add on psychiatry sessions, or even access therapy for your child (as long as they are at least 13 years old).

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Partners share a chatroom with their therapist, making communication easy

  • Unlimited messaging makes it easy to ask questions between sessions

  • Sessions can be scheduled at convenient times

  • Accepts some insurance plans

  • Can also sign up for individual psychiatry sessions as add-on service

Cons

  • Sessions are short, so it's not the best for in-depth issues

  • Services are pricey without insurance

  • There have been privacy concerns raised about the company

Our Testing

We asked eleven people to test Talkspace for us. Of those, three specifically tried Talkspace’s couples counseling services from Indiana, New York, and California—and overall, we were pleased with the services we received.The video sessions can be scheduled by either partner, and we were pleased to find that we didn’t have to be in the same physical location to join our session—so we entered our therapy room on different devices.

We could choose from video, audio, or live chat sessions, and our talk therapy sessions varied in length from 30 to 45 minutes during our testing, though most tended to be 30 minutes. We thought that this was a bit short for two people to talk—especially if you’re dealing with a difficult issue in your relationship. However, if you have a jam-packed schedule or you’re dealing with less serious issues in your relationship and/or looking for advice to make it better (say, looking for tips to improve communication, as we were), the shorter sessions work.

"You can fit in therapy at your leisure, even on the weekends."

-Verywell Mind Talkspace tester

Although we were often pleased with the therapists we were matched with in this process, it wasn't the case every time. There was one instance of a therapist having technical issues and signing off early and another therapist not asking many questions or offering guidance. However, we found other therapists were warm, supportive, and invested in our growth.

We appreciate that Talkspace is a very versatile therapy company so even if you’re primarily interested in couples therapy, you can also find help for yourself outside your relationship. In addition to its individual therapy plans, you can also add on psychiatry services if you want and/or need them. This is a highly unusual option when it comes to companies that offer couples counseling, and we appreciate the ability to include this service if we choose to, making Talkspace truly a one-stop shop for a busy person with a variety of therapeutic needs.

Plans & Pricing

  • Insurance Accepted: Currently accepts Aetna, Optum, Cigna, Carelon, and Regence health insurance plans. It also accepts payments through HSAs and FSAs.
  • Subscription Required: Yes for therapy; no for psychiatry services
  • Out-of-Pocket Costs: Couples therapy is $436 a month ($109 per week) for four live sessions; medication management (psychiatry) services are priced per session, with the initial session costing $249 and follow-up sessions costing $125 each.Individual therapy plans range from $69-$109 a month.

What Users Say

We surveyed 100 users of Talkspace:

  • 92% rated Talkspace as very good or excellent overall
  • 89% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
  • 100% said that most or all of their needs were met at Talkspace
  • 97% are likely or very likely to recommend Talkspace to a friend or someone like them
  • 8% were seeking couples counseling, 4% were seeking marriage counseling, and 2% were seeking premarital counseling

Read the FullTalkspace Online Therapy Review

Most Affordable :Online-Therapy.com

Have You and Your Partner Been Considering Therapy? Look No Further Than These 10 Options (3)

  • Price:$200-$440 per month
  • Is Insurance Accepted?:No
  • Type Of Therapy:Couples Therapy, Individual Therapy

Why We Chose It

For $440 a month, Online-Therapy.com offers couples exponentially more resources than the other competitors we reviewed. Not only do you receive weekly couples therapy sessions with your subscription, but you also get access to a virtual journal, homework that reinforces the skills learned in sessions, and even yoga videos, making it a great value.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Great value for all of the services and resources available

  • Wide range of services

  • Easy to change therapists

  • Unlimited messaging available

Cons

  • Doesn’t accept insurance

  • Therapists lack diversity

  • Might be cost-prohibitive for some

Our Testing

We asked six people to test Online-Therapy.com’s various services, with two of them specifically testing its couples therapy subscription from California and Pennsylvania. And overall, we were very impressed with Online-Therapy.com’s value for the price.

In addition to the weekly couples sessions (which are 45 minutes long), we had access to a plethora of additional resources and materials that helped support us between sessions, such as journaling, activity plans, and even yoga videos. These resources were available to us for a price comparable to and often lower than other companies that don’t provide these extra services.

"The platform does provide homework and worksheets to go through, and after each session, my therapist would give me something that they wanted me to work on throughout the week."

-Verywell Mind Online-Therapy.com tester

We also liked that Online-Therapy.com’s couples services usecognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as the primary approach. As a therapy approach based on identifying negative and unhelpful thought patterns and learning to redirect them in a healthy way, we found that it helped us with things like communication and trust-building. Our therapists also gave us CBT-based worksheets and materials to practice these new skills outside of session with our partners. We did, however, occasionally experience technical difficulties when trying to sign up.

Plans & Pricing

  • Insurance Accepted: No, but a superbill can be provided to try to seek reimbursement through your provider.
  • Subscription Required: Yes
  • Out-of-Pocket Costs: Couples therapy is $440 per month ($110 per week) for weekly 45-minute long sessions, unlimited messaging, and virtual coping tools and resources. The company is currently offering 20% off your first month of services, making the price of couples therapy $88 per week. Individual therapy plans range from $50 to $110 a week.

What Users Say

We surveyed 100 users of Online-Therapy.com:

  • 89% rated Online-Therapy.com as very good or excellent overall
  • 88% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
  • 97% said that most or all of their needs were met at Online-Therapy.com
  • 100% are likely or very likely to recommend Online-Therapy.com to a friend or someone like them
  • 7% were seeking couples counseling and 6% were seeking marriage counseling

Read the FullWe Tried Online-Therapy.com - These Were Our Experiences

Best Directory :Gottman Referral Network

Have You and Your Partner Been Considering Therapy? Look No Further Than These 10 Options (4)

  • Price:Varies by provider
  • Is Insurance Accepted?:Yes
  • Type Of Therapy:Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Individual Therapy

Why We Chose It

The Gottman Method is a therapy approach for couples that is backed by over 40 years of research. It teaches couples to communicate more calmly, de-escalate conflict, dodge stagnation, rekindle intimacy, and feel more empathy toward one another. But it isn’t always easy to find a therapist who specializes in this method, which is why we found the Gottman Referral Network so noteworthy.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • All therapists specialize in couples therapy and the Gottman Method

  • Over 1,000 therapists listed

  • Therapists are vetted, ensuring they have a high level of experience

  • The Gottman Method is an evidence-based practice

Cons

  • Lacking a range of diverse providers

  • Cannot search for providers based on price or insurance offerings

  • Not the best if you’re interested in therapists who aren’t only focused on the Gottman Method

Our Testing

When we tested the Gottman Referral Network directory, we started our search with some specific filters: We were looking for a therapist who accepted our insurance, could treat anxiety, and offered individual counseling as well as couples therapy. Even within these particular parameters, we were given 30 different therapists as options—which made us confident in the Gottman Referral Network’s ability to connect us with a provider who would suit our needs. In fact, we were able to find qualified therapists in all 50 states, as well as in 40 other countries.

We also tested how easy or difficult it was to find couples therapists that met 37 different criteria across 16 ZIP codes in the United States. And, by far, the Gottman Referral Network outperformed the 26 other directories we researched in terms of finding therapists that specialized in relationship issues such as communication problems, infidelity, and whether or not to get a divorce, as well as navigating issues in a polyamorous relationship.

Each Gottman Referral Network profile indicated the provider's level of training in the Gottman Method, from level one (having been taught foundational skills) to level three (having completed multiple training intensives). Certified Gottman therapists have completed all levels of training and have a minimum of 1,000 hours of post-graduate therapy experience.The only thing to keep in mind is that this directory might not be our first choice for LGBTQ+ or BIPOC couples. Although the Gottman Method is based on 40 years of research, only a minimal amount included homosexual couples, and it was also almost exclusively centered on white couples.

Plans & Pricing

  • Insurance Accepted: Yes, but the majority of providers do not accept insurance.
  • Subscription Required: No
  • Out-of-Pocket Costs: Varies by provider and insurance. Therapy sessions generally range between $60 and $200 each and are typically 50 minutes long.

What Users Say

We surveyed 100 users of the Gottman Referral Network:

  • 93% rated Gottman Referral Network as very good or excellent overall
  • 83% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
  • 98% said that most or all of their needs were met at Gottman Referral Network
  • 97% are likely or very likely to recommend Gottman Referral Network to a friend or someone like them
  • 11% were seeking counseling for relationship and marriage issues, 2% were seeking premarital counseling, and 13% were considering divorce

Best for Christian Couples :Thriveworks

Have You and Your Partner Been Considering Therapy? Look No Further Than These 10 Options (5)

  • Price:Varies by insurance; self pay starts at $200 per session
  • Is Insurance Accepted?:Yes
  • Type Of Therapy:Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen Counseling

Why We Chose It

Some couples may prefer to have a therapist who is Christian and can incorporate faith-based practices into their work together so that they can strengthen their relationship in a way that feels supportive and aligned with their values. This culturally sensitive therapy is readily available through Thriveworks—and is something we could not find across most of the other online therapy companies we reviewed.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Christian-based therapy available

  • Offers an eclectic variety of treatment specialties, focuses, and modalities

  • Accepts health insurance

  • All therapists use evidence-based practices

Cons

  • Does not offer a sliding scale

  • Cannot filter therapists by identity

Our Testing

We had five different testers try out Thriveworks—in Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and New York—and although we did not test couples therapy specifically, overall, we were impressed with the level of care we received at Thriveworks.

It is easy to filter for therapists by specialization and expertise at the company—which is why we also found it easy to narrow our results to those who offer Christian counseling. And because Thriveworks serves all 50 states and Washington, D.C., we didn’t have any trouble finding therapists with the background and expertise we wanted in a variety of locations.In addition, Thriveworks is one of the few online couples therapy platforms we found that offers faith-based counseling without having “statements of faith” that discriminate against the LGBTQIA+ community by citing Bible verses that denounce homosexuality.

We found most therapy sessions to be generally comfortable and supportive; however, in one instance, a therapist was late for the appointment and then came across as pushy and blaming. This therapist also mentioned having very limited availability for scheduling appointments.

Plans & Pricing

  • Insurance Accepted: Yes, in-network with most insurance plans, but the insurance accepted will vary by provider and insurance plan
  • Subscription Required: No
  • Out-of-Pocket Costs: Varies by therapist and insurance provider; self-pay sessions start at $200.

What Users Say

We surveyed 100 users of Thriveworks:

  • 88% rated Thriveworks as very good or excellent overall
  • 90% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
  • 96% said that most or all of their needs were met at Thriveworks
  • 96% are likely or very likely to recommend Thriveworks to a friend or someone like them
  • 19% were seeking couples counseling, 2% were seeking marriage counseling, and 4% were seeking premarital counseling

The Best Online Christian Counseling Services of 2024, Tried and Tested

Best for Sex Therapy :Modern Intimacy

Have You and Your Partner Been Considering Therapy? Look No Further Than These 10 Options (6)

  • Price:$150-$300 per session
  • Is Insurance Accepted?:No

Why We Chose It

Modern Intimacy offers judgment-free therapy and workshops to help couples receive support around relationships and sexuality. It specializes in sex therapy—an area of expertise none of the other 80 online therapy companies we tested offer—with licensed sex therapists who treat a wide range of sexualities, gender identities, and relationship types. We love its sex-positive lens, diverse roster of clinicians, and the wide range of subject matter it addresses.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Offers sex therapy, a service not found at most other online therapy companies

  • Wide range of clinicians

  • Offers educational courses

  • Free 30-minute consultation

Cons

  • Currently only accepts clients in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, and New York

  • Price point is high compared to other companies featured

  • Does not accept insurance

Our Testing

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. That’s why we recommend Modern Intimacy: It has a roster of therapists who are either certified or working toward getting certified in sex therapy. Licensed sex therapists specialize in sex and sexual relationships and have much more background and experience than therapists who don’t have a sex therapy license—when seeking sex therapy, you should always look for a licensed therapist to ensure you get the most professional care possible. Plus, it's inclusive, offering specialized support aimed at those healing from trauma, the LGBTQIA+ community, and the BDSM/kink communities.

Modern Intimacy prides itself on a nonjudgmental approach, and our experience testing its services with our husband confirms this. We found its therapists to bewell-versed in a number of therapy techniques, including:

  • Attachment theory (focuses on long-term relationships and bonds)
  • PACT couples therapy (combo of attachment theory, neuroscience, and biology of arousal)
  • The Gottman Method
  • Imago therapy (turns conflicts into opportunities for growth and healing)
  • Emotionally focused therapy (short-term therapy that improves attachment and bonding)
  • Internal family systems therapy (a focus on the “true self” and turning unhealthy parts of ourselves back into healthy parts)
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Providers may also use trauma-informed therapy, ensuring they cultivate a safe space for both you and your partner.

After working with a Modern Intimacy sex therapist, we felt that our already successful relationship came out even stronger than before; that's why we think this highly specialized company deserves a place on our list. However, unfortunately, Modern Intimacy only serves a few states: California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, and New York.

Plans & Pricing

  • Insurance Accepted: No, but they can offer a superbill to submit to insurance
  • Subscription Required: No
  • Out-of-Pocket Costs: Free 30-minute consultation; the cost depends on the credentials and experience of the provider (we paid $300 per 50-minute session)

What Users Say

We have not yet had the opportunity to survey Modern Intimacy users, but we tested it ourselves to great success. Our additional research also found that most past and present users who have shared online reviews or testimonials are satisfied with the services they’ve received.

We also consulted three licensed therapists and Stefani Goerlich, a licensed sex therapist, and across the board, all felt strongly that Modern Intimacy deserved a place on this list because of its specialization, the expertise and licensure of its therapists, and its inclusivity.

“When seeking help with and treatment for sexual issues and concerns, it’s always better to see a specialist,” explains Owens. “Just like you’d go to a cardiologist rather than a general practitioner for a heart problem, going to a sex therapist with specific expertise will always be better than seeing a therapist who does not have that specialty or experience.”

Expert-Vetted: Our Picks for the Best Online Sex Therapy Services of 2024

Best for Group Therapy :Mindful Care

Have You and Your Partner Been Considering Therapy? Look No Further Than These 10 Options (7)

  • Price:$50-$175 for substance use; Individual therapy: $50 for 20-minute sessions, $100 for 40-minute sessions; $35 per group session; $75-$175 for psychiatry session
  • Is Insurance Accepted?:Yes
  • Type Of Therapy:Group Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen Counseling

Why We Chose It

When we’re in a relationship with someone, we tend to fall into certain patterns. Sometimes, we expect something from our partner that we haven’t actually communicated to them, or we take on certain roles in the relationship (like the “planner” or the “bad cop”) in which we become complacent. Mindful Care is one of the only companies we evaluated that focuses exclusively on helping couples examine their relationship dynamics through its virtual group called CONNECT. This group’s focus on mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy will support you in developing increased comfort in navigating sticky conversations. No other online therapy company we reviewed offers anything like this kind of expansive and inclusive group therapy option, making Mindful Care’s CONNECT group ideal for those seeking relationship support from their peers and a licensed facilitator.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Offers group therapy

  • Very affordable

  • Unique opportunity to build relationship skills

  • Promotes healthy family, friend, and colleague relationships as well as romantic

  • Accepts insurance

  • Offers group therapy, individual therapy, psychiatric evaluations, and addiction recovery plans

Cons

  • Only offers services in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, and New York

  • Focuses on all relationships, not just romantic

  • Participating in a group may not be for everyone

Our Testing

Mindful Care is one of the only online therapy companies we tested that offers true group therapy rather than just group support. Group therapy is led by a licensed mental health professional and involves the same small group of people who share a common experience, characteristic, or identity, meeting regularly, often for a set period of time. And when we tested Mindful Care in New York, we found its MindFit groups to be especially welcoming and effective.

When we signed up, we received an email with all of the MindFit groups available that week. We chose the group focused on facing everyday challenges rather than the "CONNECT" relationship group, but our experiences with the group we attended made us confident in our recommendation.Our group was capped at 15 people, and we found that nine to 15 people attended depending on the day. Our group met for an hour on Zoom, and our facilitator (a licensed therapist) was professional and welcoming. The group felt like a space where it was safe to talk about anything and everything because everyone in the group was there to give support and help each other work towards our goals.The facilitator also made sure everyone had the chance to speak and be heard.

Of course, though, group therapy is not for everyone. Part of the group therapy experience is hearing others’ perspectives and noticing how they are navigating their healing journey. If this doesn’t sound like you—or you’re more interested in seeking individualized feedback—this might not be the company for you. Similarly, if you want to discuss sensitive issues and the thought of doing so in a group format makes you uncomfortable, group therapy may not be the best for you. But if you are eager, as we were, to develop community and strengthen your communication skills, or you are seeking a lower-fee therapy option, group therapy could be a great fit for you—and Mindful Care does it particularly well.

Plans & Pricing

  • Insurance Accepted: Yes, in-network with many insurance providers, though group therapy might not be covered by insurance
  • Subscription Required: No
  • Out-of-Pocket Costs: Varies by insurance plan; Group therapy generally costs $35 per session

What Users Say

We surveyed 100 users of Mindful Care:

  • 83% rated Mindful Care as very good or excellent overall
  • 86% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
  • 90% said that most or all of their needs were met at Mindful Care
  • 96% are likely or very likely to recommend Mindful Care to a friend or someone like them
  • 12% were seeking couples counseling, 3% were seeking marriage counseling, and 1% were seeking premarital counseling

The Best Online Group Therapy in 2024, Tried and Tested

Best for Parenting :Little Otter

Have You and Your Partner Been Considering Therapy? Look No Further Than These 10 Options (8)

  • Price:$195 for standard therapy session; $500 for general psychiatry evaluation; $250 for follow-up psychiatry sessions
  • Is Insurance Accepted?:Yes
  • Type Of Therapy:Children's Therapy, Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen Counseling

Why We Chose It

Having children can have a big impacton your relationship with your partner—which in turn can affect your child’s mental health as well. That’s why Little Otter’s focus on the entire family unit stood out to us: It offers online couples therapy specifically aimed at parents and takes a holistic family approach in doing so. In addition to your couples sessions, you can also sign up your child (as long as they’re 14 years old or younger) for treatment too and add parent coaching sessions or family sessions.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Treats children aged 14 and younger

  • Couples counseling and coaching for parents

  • Focus on the entire family unit’s mental health

  • Resources and tools that can be used outside of sessions

  • Messaging between sessions

Cons

  • Only accepts one insurance plan

  • Initial assessment session is not free

  • Expensive compared to other companies on the list

Our Testing

We had four parents and their families test Little Otter from California, Pennsylvania, and New York so we could get a sense of how well the company served kids and their parents alike—and it delivers. This focus on parenting sets Little Otter apart from the other companies we reviewed and makes it a great resource for parents and kids in need of support.

Since this platform is specifically for families, we expected strong support on parenting challenges—and Little Otter did not let us down on this front. We found that no matter the parenting service we chose, be it parent coaching or couples therapy, we could discuss co-parenting, differences in parenting styles, and communication issues that were impeding our parenting. Additionally, we found it helpful for individual child therapy with parents joining sessions intermittently. Little Otter's services work best, however, for a kid who responds well to video communication.

Be aware, though, that Little Otter is currently not available in all 50 states, which is a drawback compared to many other companies on our list. As of August 2024, Little Otter is only available in California, Colorado, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. It is also on the pricier side compared to other companies we evaluated. However, we still felt like its unique emphasis on children and parenting support made the company stand out and deserving of a spot on our list.

Plans & Pricing

  • Insurance Accepted: Yes, but only four companies: Independence Blue Cross, AmeriHealth, Sana, and Florida Blue. Payments can be made through an FSA or HSA.
  • Subscription Required: No
  • Out-of-Pocket Costs: A standard therapy session costs $195; An assessment costs $390; A 75-minute psychiatric evaluation costs $500, and each follow-up psychiatry session costs $250.

What Users Say

We surveyed 100 users of Little Otter:

  • 86% rated Little Otter as very good or excellent overall
  • 86% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
  • 96% said that most or all of their needs were met at Little Otter
  • 95% are likely or very likely to recommend Little Otter to a friend or someone like them
  • 33% were seeking couples counseling, 18% were seeking marriage counseling, and 16% were seeking divorce/discernment counseling

Online Therapy Services for Kids and Families, Tried and Tested in 2024

Best for Divorce Counseling :Growing Self

Have You and Your Partner Been Considering Therapy? Look No Further Than These 10 Options (9)

  • Price:$40 per group session; $75 to $170 per individual therapy or coaching session
  • Is Insurance Accepted?:No
  • Type Of Therapy:Couples Therapy, Individual Therapy

Why We Chose It

Divorce can be an incredibly difficult time to navigate. You might be stressed as you find a new place to live; you might feel grief or be dealing with custody battles, court proceedings, and co-parenting agreements. That’s why Growing Self stood out to us: It offers support specifically aimed at helping people deal with the complicated emotions and stress that arise from a divorce (or even a breakup) through individual therapy, couples therapy, and support groups.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Specific focus on relationships

  • Offers divorce group therapy

  • Offers a free consultation

  • Divorce counselors and breakup recovery coaches

Cons

  • Expensive compared to other services

  • No adjunct messaging services

  • Minimal diversity across providers

Our Testing

When we tested Growing Self twice from Colorado, we found it excelled in its relationship therapy and coaching offerings because it offered more tailored services than its competitors. Not only can you find traditional couples therapy at Growing Self, but you can also find individual relationship-focused therapy, premarital counseling, sex therapy, long-distance relationship counseling, affair recovery counseling, divorce coaching, and—most uniquely compared to the other 54 companies we evaluated—divorce or breakup support groups.

The breakup and divorce support group is a 60-75-minute group session, capped at six people, that meets weekly for eight weeks. We learned that the group is facilitated by a divorce counselor and breakup recovery coach who leads the group through various exercises and guided discussions. Plus, each session is only $40, ensuring it is financially accessible even in the midst of an expensive divorce. The only thing to know: This is a coaching-oriented support group, which means that while the facilitator is a divorce counselor and breakup recovery coach, the groups will be focused on more actionable activities and guided discussions rather than in-depth emotional processing or sharing in a group setting like you might find at other support groups, including some we included on our list after testing.

We also tested Growing Self’s individual relationship counseling and were very pleased with the care we received. We found our therapists to vary in experience: One was an early-career therapist currently obtaining her counseling and marriage and family therapist licensures, and the other was a licensed counselor with a PhD, but both were supportive and highly educated, with direct, strengths-based, and solution-oriented focuses on counseling. We also found that both created a comfortable space for discussing relationship issues and developing goals.

Plans & Pricing

  • Insurance Accepted: No
  • Subscription Required: No
  • Out-of-Pocket Costs: Support groups cost $40 per 60- to 75-minute group session.Couples therapy ranges from $65 to $160 per 45-minute session based on the therapist’s level of training. Sliding scale pricing is available.

What Users Say

We surveyed 100 users of Growing Self:

  • 85% rated Growing Self as very good or excellent overall
  • 93% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
  • 97% said that most or all of their needs were met at Growing Self
  • 96% are likely or very likely to recommend Growing Self to a friend or someone like them
  • 17% were seeking couples counseling, 2% were seeking marriage counseling, and 3% were seeking divorce/discernment counseling

The 10 Best Online Therapy Resources for Divorce Counseling in 2024

Best for Overcoming Infidelity :Octave

Have You and Your Partner Been Considering Therapy? Look No Further Than These 10 Options (10)

  • Price:$170 - $275
  • Is Insurance Accepted?:Yes
  • Type Of Therapy:Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Individual Therapy

Why We Chose It

Life after infidelity can feel isolating and scary—and it can impact our ability to trust for a long time. That’s why we were impressed with Octave: Many of its couples therapists focus specifically on supporting couples recovering (or navigating life) after infidelity. These therapists also use techniques, like emotionally focused therapy, that have been clinically shown to help people develop trust and secure attachments.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Support available specifically for infidelity

  • In-network with some insurance plans

  • Highly qualified providers

  • Matches you with a therapist

  • Care navigator matches you (rather than an algorithm)

Cons

  • Only available in six states and Washington, D.C.

  • Doesn’t accept a wide range of insurance plans

  • Sessions can be very expensive

Our Testing

We asked four people to test Octave’s therapy services from California, New York, and Florida; two of them tested Octave’s couples counseling specifically. And overall, we had a very positive experience. Our couples therapists were thoughtful, informed, and attentive, asking us thought-provoking questions and making sure to encourage us and our partners to speak up equally during the session.

Octave’s therapists have a wide range of training and specializations, including repair after infidelity, a specialty that we found was hard to come by, even at companies that specialize in couples counseling. These therapists can help support couples in moving forward together or deciding if it’s better to end the relationship, giving them the tools to move on in a healthy way for future relationships. We felt seen and respected in session, and while some therapists were a bit more goal-oriented than others, our therapists seemed to use therapy techniques that aligned with our stated goals for therapy from the intake process.

The biggest drawback for Octave is that it is a relatively smaller company than most of the others we reviewed, so it only currently serves patients in California, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Washington, D.C.

Plans & Pricing

  • Insurance Accepted: Yes, coverage varies by state. Accepts Anthem Blue Cross of California, Aetna, Health Net and Managed Health Network (MHN), and UnitedHealthcare UMR plan for Mount Sinai.
  • Subscription Required: No
  • Out-of-Pocket Costs: Varies by the provider you choose, insurance plan, and location. Couples sessions at Octave are 55 minutes long and range from $190 to $275.

What Users Say

We surveyed 100 users of Octave:

  • 92% rated Octave Online Therapy as very good or excellent overall
  • 92% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
  • 100% said that most or all of their needs were met at Octave Online Therapy
  • 100% are likely or very likely to recommend Octave Online Therapy to a friend or someone like them
  • 14% were seeking couples counseling, 12% were seeking marriage counseling, and 6% were seeking divorce/discernment counseling

Compare the The 10 Best Online Couples Therapy Companies of 2024

Best For

Price

Is Insurance Accepted?

Does it Accept HSA/FSA?

Type Of Therapy

Communication Options

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ReGainMost Flexible$260-$360+ per monthNoNoCouples Therapy, Individual TherapyAudio, Live Chat, Messaging, Video ChatLearn More

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TalkspaceBest for Busy Couples$276 to $436 per month for therapy subscriptions YesYesCouples Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen CounselingAudio, Live Chat, Messaging, Phone, Video ChatLearn More

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Online-Therapy.comMost Affordable$200-$440 per monthNoYesCouples Therapy, Individual TherapyAudio, Messaging, Video ChatLearn More

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Gottman Referral NetworkBest DirectoryVaries by providerYesNoCouples Therapy, Family Therapy, Individual TherapyVideo ChatLearn More

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ThriveworksBest for Christian CouplesVaries by insurance; self pay starts at $200 per sessionYesYesCouples Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen CounselingAudio, Phone, Video ChatLearn More

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Modern IntimacyBest for Sex Therapy$150-$300 per sessionNoNoN/AVideo ChatLearn More

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Mindful CareBest for Group Therapy$50-$175 for substance use; Individual therapy: $50 for 20-minute sessions, $100 for 40-minute sessions; $35 per group session; $75-$175 for psychiatry sessionYesNoGroup Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen CounselingAudio, Video ChatLearn More

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Little OtterBest for Parenting$195 for standard therapy session; $500 for general psychiatry evaluation; $250 for follow-up psychiatry sessionsYesNoChildren's Therapy, Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen CounselingMessaging, Video ChatLearn More

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Growing SelfBest for Divorce Counseling$40 per group session; $75 to $170 per individual therapy or coaching sessionNoNoCouples Therapy, Individual TherapyVideo ChatLearn More

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Octave Best for Overcoming Infidelity$170 - $275YesNoCouples Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Individual TherapyAudio, Video ChatLearn More

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Guide to Choosing the Best Online Couples Therapy

There is a lot to think about when choosing the right online couples counseling or therapy for yourself and your partner. Here are some factors we recommend you consider:

  • Price: Therapy and counseling for couples is often slightly more expensive than for individuals, with monthly costs ranging from less than $50 to over $500. Consider whether the strain on your budget will add stress to your relationship and whether choosing a service that accepts insurance can help minimize expenses.
  • Specialties: Are you and your partner looking to improve your overall communication and relationship, or are you more specifically looking for help with parenting or intimacy? Choosing a service tailored to your needs can improve your experience.
  • Scheduling: Online counseling offers more schedule flexibility in general because you can attend sessions from anywhere. However, some services offer weekend or evening appointments, which may be a huge help for parents of young kids or those with demanding or unusual work schedules.
  • Communication method: Services that offer texting may give you added flexibility if scheduling is difficult, but for others, the dedicated face time of live counseling may be a higher priority.
  • Switching therapists: You should get to work with a therapist you feel comfortable with, so be sure to look into how easily you can switch if you're not happy with the person you're initially paired with.

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or others, please seek support immediately. You can text the Crisis Textline at 741741, call 988 to get connected to emergency mental health resources, or dial 911 for emergency services—though with the latter two options, be aware that police might be the first responders.

Is Online Couples Therapy Right For You?

Online couples counseling is great for people who want to address issues like communication and trust in their relationship; it can even be a good resource for people whose relationship is already strong but who want to prevent problems or concerns that might come up down the road. However, if one or both of you has a diagnosis of a severe mood disorder or schizophrenia, online therapy platforms may not provide the level of support needed when working with both relationship issues and serious mental health concerns.

Similarly, online couples counseling isn’t suitable for relationships where domestic violence is occurring. This is because some conversations in couples therapy can end up escalating the violence. Instead, it is imperative that each partner seeks out therapy separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How Is Couples Therapy Different From Other Types of Therapy?

    Couples therapy is a form of therapy that provides clinical support to you and your partner, helping with anything from infidelity to parenting issues or even just to make sure the relationship stays healthy. This differs from individual therapy, where only one person meets with the therapist, and family therapy, where it’s a family unit that is working with a therapist to understand and change their family dynamics.

    Group therapy involves a set number of participants who share a similar experience or condition with a licensed therapist leading the sessions, whereas support groups do not require participants to attend regularly every week and might be run by a person with lived experience rather than a professional.

  • How Does Couples Therapy Work?

    Most couples therapy sessions range from 30 to 90 minutes and take place either online (via a video call or phone call) or in-person every week. Your therapist will likely be a marriage and family therapist, a psychologist, a licensed mental health counselor, or a licensed social worker, and will have training in treating couples.

    During your session, your therapist will ask you and your partner questions and guide you through conversations in order to develop goals and ways to enhance your relationship and reduce conflict. Some online therapy platforms also offer an opportunity to message your therapist and complete homework assignments between sessions.

  • Is Couples Therapy Effective?

    There is much empirical evidence that supports the effectiveness of couples therapy, both by itself and in conjunction with other types of mental health treatment, as outlined by a 2022 study. Another study from 2016 found that psychodynamic couples therapy (focusing more on deeper personal and emotional issues rather than problem-solving) resulted in improvement in both the relationship and how each partner felt individually. Emotionally focused therapy, in particular, has been proven to be especially effective with couples, as outlined in a 2022 meta-analysis (a study of many studies).

Have You and Your Partner Been Considering Therapy? Look No Further Than These 10 Options (11)

Article Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Schofield MJ, Mumford N, Jurkovic D, Jurkovic I, Bickerdike A. Short and long-term effectiveness of couple counseling: a study protocol. BMC Public Health. 2012;12(1):735. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-12-735

  2. The Gottman Institute. Overview - research.

  3. Benson LA, Sevier M, Christensen A. The impact of behavioral couple therapy on attachment in distressed couples. J Marital Fam Ther. 2013;39(4):407-20. doi:10.1111/jmft.12020

  4. Lebow J, Snyder DK. Couple therapy in the 2020s: Current status and emerging developments.Fam Process. 2022;61(4):1359-1385. doi:10.1111/famp.12824

  5. Spengler, P. M., Lee, N. A., Wiebe, S. A., & Wittenborn, A. K. (2022). A comprehensive meta-analysis on the efficacy of emotionally focused couple therapy. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice. Advance online publication.https://doi.org/10.1037/cfp0000233

Have You and Your Partner Been Considering Therapy? Look No Further Than These 10 Options (2024)

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