Online Couples Counseling

Finding one hour that works for two busy people is often the hardest part of starting couples counseling. Meeting online removes the drive, the waiting room, and the childcare scramble, so you can spend that hour on each other.

What can online couples counseling help with?

Couples reach out at every stage, not only when things feel like they are falling apart. Common reasons include:

• The same arguments coming up again and again

• Feeling more like roommates than partners

• Rebuilding trust after a breach

• Stress from a new baby, a move, a job change, or money worries

• Different ideas about parenting, family, or the future

• Wanting to grow closer before small problems get bigger

Real Help therapists give both partners a safe space to talk, so each person feels heard. You can meet our therapists online to get a sense of who you might work with.

How does online couples counseling work?

Before your session, we send you a secure link. You can join together from one phone, tablet, or computer, or each partner can log on from a separate device. Joining apart works well for couples who travel, work different shifts, live in different places for now, or simply want a little room of their own during a hard conversation.

In the first session, your therapist will ask each of you what is going on and what you want to change. From there, sessions focus on how you talk to each other, what happens during conflict, and practical steps to try at home between appointments.

If you want a deeper walkthrough of that first visit, read our blog post Does Online Couples Counseling Work?

Is online couples counseling effective?

Research on video therapy is encouraging. A meta-analysis of live video psychotherapy found outcomes very close to in-person care. Studies focused on couples have found similar results for relationship satisfaction, and our blog post above links to that research.

What matters most is that both partners show up and are willing to try. The format just makes it easier to keep showing up.

Where does Real Help offer couples counseling?

Real Help is fully online, so you can meet from anywhere in the states we serve:

• Massachusetts. Learn more about online therapy in Massachusetts.

• Rhode Island and New Hampshire. See telehealth therapy in Rhode Island and New Hampshire.

• New York

• Connecticut, for adults on a self-pay basis

Both partners need to be in one of these states during the session. If you will be in different states, call us first and we will help you sort it out.

What if one of us also needs individual support?

That is common. Real Help also offers individual counseling, family counseling, group counseling, and medication management. Some partners keep their own sessions alongside couples work. For example, someone dealing with worry or panic might also look at online therapy for anxiety. See all of our services.

Does insurance cover couples counseling?

It depends on your plan. Coverage for couples counseling varies from plan to plan, so call us at (844) 399-9898 and we can help you understand your options before you book.

Is couples counseling right if there is abuse in the relationship?

Couples counseling is not the right fit when one partner is afraid of the other. If you feel unsafe, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. If anyone is in crisis, call or text 988 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Frequently asked questions

Do we have to be in the same room?

No. You can sit together in front of one screen or join from two devices in different places.

What if my partner is unsure about counseling?

That is very common. Many couples start with one partner more ready than the other. The first session is a low-pressure conversation, and your therapist will make room for both of you.

How often do couples meet?

It varies. Many couples start weekly and space sessions out as things improve. Your therapist will talk through what makes sense for you.

What do we need for an online session?

A phone, tablet, or computer, a private spot, and the secure link we send you.

What if we do not click with our therapist?

Tell us. We will help you find a therapist who is a better fit for both of you.

Is what we share kept private?

Real Help uses secure, private platforms, and your therapist will explain confidentiality and its legal limits. Read more in our FAQs.

Start online couples counseling

You do not have to wait for a breaking point. Call (844) 399-9898 or fill out our Connect Now form, and we will match you and your partner with a therapist.