The Covid-19 pandemic completely shifted the way society operates. Many people have incorporated online meetings, hangouts, and school sessions into their daily lives—even as we’ve returned to normal. Therapy, especially couples therapy, is no exception.

You may be wondering: can you do couples therapy online? Absolutely! But what are the specific benefits of online sessions, and how do they work?

Online couples therapy is more accessible

One of the biggest advantages of online couples therapy is its convenience and accessibility. In-person therapy typically requires scheduling appointments that accommodate both partners' availability, which can be hard, particularly for busy couples or those living far from city centers.

Online therapy gets rid of this hurdle by offering flexible scheduling options, allowing couples to attend sessions from the comfort of their own homes. Importantly, the accessibility of online therapy breaks down accessibility barriers like transportation or mobility issues, making it a great option for people with disabilities or who live too far from a therapist’s office.

It can also be more cost-effective, depending on the situation.

Online therapy happens where the relationship happens

Another benefit is that therapists get to observe the dynamics of a relationship in the environment where couples really interact. For some couples, their behavior changes when they get into an in-person therapy session. They might begin to associate certain communication tactics with the therapist’s office.

By looking at a couple’s dynamics within their own home, therapists gain valuable insights into their day-to-day dynamics. This real-time perspective enables therapists to provide more targeted guidance, tailored interventions, and practical strategies for successful communication. This means online therapy could lead to more efficient progress and improved communication within the relationship.

Online therapists can supplement your sessions

An online therapist may incorporate other tools and resources to enhance the effectiveness of their sessions. Video conferencing, secure messaging, and file sharing capabilities enable couples to connect with their therapists in different ways.

Also, online therapy platforms often give supplementary materials, worksheets, and exercises that couples can work on between sessions to deepen their understanding and strengthen their bond. These resources help reinforce the progress made during sessions and create lasting communication changes.

How an online therapy session works

Online sessions work much the same way as traditional in-person ones do. In your first session, you, your partner, and your therapist will come up with treatment goals. Your therapist will also want to get a sense of the history of your relationship. You should have a conversation with your therapist about their therapeutic philosophy and what they expect you to work on outside your sessions.

When you shouldn’t seek online therapy

Online couples therapy isn’t recommended for anyone in a relationship in which there’s domestic violence or abuse. In fact, they shouldn’t receive joint therapy at all. Couples therapy is equalizing, and in an abusive situation, both people don’t contribute equally to the relationship.

If you feel severe anxiety within your own home or if you have a deep distrust of technology, online couples therapy may not be right for you.

How to find a couples therapist

There’s been an explosion in online couples therapy platforms. You can find a website that specializes in things such as flexible scheduling, LGBTQIA+-focused, affair recovery, or message-based therapies. You can also opt to use your insurance company’s search engine.

Many therapists now have personal websites that state which forms of therapy they offer, and some practices have gone fully online since 2020. Think about what you and your partner want most out of an online therapist and use your requirements to narrow down the potentials.

To find out more about how online therapy can help you and your partner reconnect, please reach out to us for marriage counseling.