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Published: Oct 3, 2025, 10:16am
Fact Checked
| Staff EditorCouples therapy is highly effective in relieving relationship distress. In fact, according to a 2022 critical analysis of contemporary couples therapy published in the journal Family Process, people in couples therapy were doing 70% to 80% better, emotionally or relationship-wise, than those who were not[1]Lebow J, Snyder DK. Couple therapy in the 2020s: Current status and emerging developments. Fam Process. 2022;61(4):1359-1385. .
If you and your partner are experiencing difficulties in your relationship or are considering premarital counseling, online couples therapy is a convenient option to consider. But where to begin? Forbes Health has analyzed the landscape of online therapy platforms for those that provide couples therapy and ranked the top five, based on tester experience and multiple metrics. Learn how couples therapy might strengthen your relationship and if online couples therapy is right for you.
The Forbes Health editorial team prioritizes the accuracy and integrity of the data collected. Our ranking is based on quantitative data and is free from conflicts of interest. We carefully fact check the information featured in our ranking and are committed to producing rankings and supplemental content about mental health treatment that readers can trust. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our online therapy methodology for the rankings below.
Sesame is an online platform that seems to be more like a directory of therapists rather than a traditional online therapy platform, highlighting both online and in-person providers available near you. While it does offer couples therapy, the cost, credentials and availability of therapists can vary widely. After choosing a provider, couples can begin therapy via video visits and messaging.
Our Experience with Sesame
Our platform tester, Megan, who sought individual therapy with Sesame, appreciated the ability to choose her provider from the start, which seemed to expedite the process of getting started with online therapy.
“Therapist selection happened in the very beginning, before even signing up, so if I couldn’t find a therapist that I liked, I didn’t have to sign up. There were a lot of therapist options, and I was able to find some therapists that had same-day or next-day availability, which is useful for someone wanting therapy as soon as possible.”
Megan completed a 45-minute video session with a provider she found on Sesame.
“Once I found a therapist that I liked, I filled out my personal information and the reason for my visit and paid $104 for the session,” explains Megan. She felt her therapist was very prepared and did a great job.
— Megan, platform tester
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
Those who tried Sesame’s online therapy services reported mixed experiences. People who enjoyed their time using the platform cited provider professionalism, convenience and affordability, as well as ease of use when booking sessions. Users who were dissatisfied with Sesame’s telehealth services found pricing and prescription policies to lack transparency, consumer support to be poor and a lack of resolution with refund and service-related concerns.
Regain is a solid choice for couples therapy as it specifically focuses on mental health care ffor relationships. Owned by BetterHelp, users who choose Regain will receive therapy from a licensed provider, with the option to do therapy alone or with their partner. Therapists include licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors and licensed mental health counselors.
Our Experience with Regain
Overall, our testers, Harry and his wife, found the onboarding quiz to be comprehensive, however they didn’t feel it was accounted for in choosing their provider. While the therapist was slightly late to the appointment and the session was fairly short, the couple reported that she was nice and easy to talk to.
“The therapist asked the same question in several different ways—it sometimes felt like she wasn’t listening to what was being said and wasn’t engaging with the topic at hand. The website wasn’t very clear on how to get to the session. It required reloading the chat page, and then a timer appeared with a link to the chat. The connection went a few times, but it’s not clear on whose end the problem was.”
Our testers, Harry and his wife, attended a Regain couples counseling session for 25 minutes via video on a computer. They were able to get an appointment that same day, however their therapist was six minutes late to the session and did not seem to have read the couple’s responses to the onboarding quiz. “She asked what the problems were and seemed to be responding off the cuff, rather than having had prepared anything. I feel that the therapist was generic in her advice and was either unable or unwilling to engage with the subjects being raised. She focused on generic communication advice. The session ended after 25 minutes—I suspect because she was late —while the website states sessions typically last between 30 and 45 minutes.”
– Harry and his wife, platform testers
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
User opinions are mixed when it comes to Regain’s online therapy offerings. Those who had a positive experience reported that the app led to high-quality treatment from its providers as well as in-app convenience. On the other hand, those who felt negative about their experience were displeased with the high costs, therapy quality and unprofessional behavior from providers.
Amwell offers couples therapy to treat communication challenges, infertility, infidelity, parenting problems, sexual difficulties and more. The platform offers both relationship and marriage counseling. Start by reviewing providers’ experience and credentials to choose the right therapist for you. You can then make an appointment at a time that works best for you and have an initial video consult. A licensed therapist will listen to an individual or couple’s concerns and then identify the best course of action for therapy.
Our Experience with Amwell
Our platform tester, Miguel, who sought individual therapy, found Amwell easy to navigate and making an appointment simple. He didn’t experience technical issues, however, he felt his therapist came to the session unprepared.
Miguel completed a 30-minute video session with Amwell. He found the set-up simple, involving an initial questionnaire which helped match him with a therapist. “The process is pretty quick. I registered with only an email account. No social security or additional documents are required. I took a questionnaire before my appointment. The questionnaire was brief and took 10 minutes to complete,” says Miguel. He was able to browse a list of potential therapists and choose one himself. He felt there were plenty of options, noting that most providers were women and had available appointments in the morning.
“My therapist was very open. I was given plenty of time to disclose medical information. There [were] no connection or audio issues. The video call ran smoothly. I accessed the call via a portal on my Amwell account. I had to double check if my mic and camera were working.”
He did, however, feel like his therapist was unprepared for the session. “The therapist performed like I was food on a conveyor belt. She seemed a little tired when I logged into the appointment. I felt like I was answering a survey. The therapist sounded like she wanted to wrap up the appointment in less than 30 minutes. The only positive thing is she was very patient whenever I stuttered,” notes Miguel.
– Miguel, platform tester
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
Users cited both negative and positive experiences with Amwell, with some individuals promoting the platform and others expressing dissatisfaction. Some users praised the short consultations, ease of accessing the platform and scheduling sessions, and professionalism of their providers. Some also applauded the service for providing a user-friendly solution for virtual mental health care. When it comes to negative sentiments, some people were disappointed with the platform’s low-quality consumer support, problematic billing practices and repeated technical glitches. Others found the care from their provider to be poor—mainly due to issues communicating with the experts and managing medication.
Talkspace offers couples therapy, where an individual and their partner can log on to a shared therapy room to discuss their concerns with a provider. With one subscription, both individuals can attend couples therapy. Therapy focused on relationships is not limited to partners or spouses—it can include a parent and a child, siblings or friends. Two users of couples therapy do not have to be in the same location and can join from different devices.
Our Experience with Talkspace
Overall, our platform tester, Jonny, said Talkspace had a simple sign-up process, and he appreciated the short video introductions each provider offered. However, he noted potential areas of improvement in the therapist selection process, such as offering a list of providers to choose from before making a selection. He sought out Talkspace for individual therapy and had a positive experience with the therapist he spoke to.
“The therapist was warm and approachable, and her genuine, nonjudgmental manner made me feel comfortable. That sense of sincerity really motivated me to keep going.”
Jonny completed a 30-minute live video session from his computer. He found account creation to be easy, which included an initial questionnaire.
“It was efficient and quick (took less than 3 minutes to fill everything in), but there seems to be different pricing on the payment options page depending on where you are located (likely) or what issue you want solving,” explains Jonny.
He was assigned a therapist automatically. “I assumed I’d be able to choose from several profiles, but that option wasn’t obvious up front,” he says. Jonny rotated through five different therapists before he was able to find a next-day opening. “The UI (user interface) was easy to navigate, and the email reminders for the session I had were useful so I wouldn’t miss the session itself. I liked the ability to be able to message the provider/therapist directly from the website.”
— Jonny, platform tester
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
Users described mostly poor experiences with Talkspace, with widespread dissatisfaction concerning its billing operations, consumer support and app serviceability. A large number of users encountered unforeseen charges and insurance coverage problems, as well as difficulties contacting customer service for technical assistance or refunds. Users noted positive experiences with the quality of the therapists and the convenience of meeting with a provider virtually. However, these sentiments were widely surpassed by the lack of reliability of the platform and disappointment with its practices.
Cerebral offers couples therapy for any phase of a relationship, whether living together, engaged or married. In couples therapy, a Cerebral provider will determine a treatment plan unique to the relationship, inviting couples to engage in open communication, practice active listening, learn conflict resolution strategies, and more. A provider will help couples develop tools to improve the relationship dynamic as a whole.
Our Experience with Cerebral
Overall, our platform tester, Dave, found the set-up process to be fairly simple; however, the number of therapists in his state and their appointment availability felt limited.
“The lack of options stands out. With there only being one therapist available, it seems I was assigned to her just for the sake of it. I had no option to indicate preferences as to gender, race, experience, specialization, etc. I didn’t select a therapist; I had the only available person assigned to me.”
Dave sought individual therapy and completed a video session with Cerebral, describing the experience as basic.
“One multiple-choice question on why I wanted a therapist, and that was it. There was only one therapist available for Massachusetts and [my selected topic of] ‘work stress,’ so I didn’t get the option of looking at therapists’ profiles or selecting anyone. No information [was available] on canceling the subscription if I later changed my mind,” says Dave. He also noted that while his job is flexible, appointment times on Cerebral were only during the typical work day.
– Dave, platform tester
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
User feedback for the online therapy services provided by Cerebral was mixed. Those who had a positive experience with the platform commended the quality care provided by therapists and prescribers, the simplicity of accessing it and the ease of scheduling a session. However, some users cited negative experiences with the service, such as dissatisfaction with consumer support, billing operations (including the inability to get a refund and noticing unauthorized charges on their account) and the absence of transparency.
To determine the best online couples therapy platforms of 2025, the Forbes Health editorial team assessed data from 17 online mental health platforms, analyzing metrics like cost, number of sessions included in a monthly subscription (if applicable), whether or not couples counseling is available in all 50 states and more. In total, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed 11 metrics to determine the top online couples therapy platforms available.
Our online couples therapy ranking takes into account a general score that features the same methodology for all rankings, as well as user testing data.
The breakdown of our scoring is calculated as follows:
Read more about our methodology for the best online therapy providers.
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“Ultimately, the benefits of online therapy are a space that allows the couple to find the right therapist with a reduction of barriers like time, space and location. Couples have a greater range of therapists to choose from based on a virtual environment,” says Rufus Tony Spann, Ph.D., licensed professional counselor, certified sex therapist and Forbes Health Advisory Board member
“Additionally, online therapy increases flexibility for the couple, which could increase the chances of consistent therapy sessions and positive outcomes,” says Dr. Spann. “[There may also] be benefits of seeing a counselor from their own space, as the familiarity of their space may invoke deeper conversations about what is happening in that space in real time.”
In fact, a 2020 research article in Frontiers in Psychology found that when compared to previous forms of therapy, couples felt the addition of video conferencing and technology actually made them feel a greater sense of control and comfort regarding the therapeutic process[2]Kysely A, Bishop B, Kane R, et al. Expectations and experiences of couples receiving therapy through videoconferencing: A qualitative study. Front Psychol. 2020 Jan 20;10:2992. .
“Similar to individual therapy, the most effective therapeutic approach will be mostly dependent on the individuals’ (or, in this case, the couple’s) unique needs. With that said, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) created by Dr. Sue Johnson, has been well-researched and highly regarded in couples counseling, with high rates of satisfaction reported by couples,” says Olivia Verhulst, licensed psychotherapist and Forbes Health Advisory Board member. “In this type of therapy, the therapist will help the couple in being able to identify and change the negative interaction patterns, along with improving secure attachment and intimacy.”
Research has shown EFT to be an effective treatment in relation to marriage satisfaction, as well as an effective treatment for facilitating change during treatment and maintaining improvements after treatment has ended[3]Beasley, C. C., & Ager, R. (2019). Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy: A Systematic Review of Its Effectiveness over the past 19 Years. Journal of evidence-based social work (2019), 16(2), 144–159. .
Seek out a therapist who specializes in relationships, suggests Dr. Spann and Jody Carrington, Ph.D., founder and principal psychologist at Carrington & Company. “Check their credentials (licensed marriage and family therapist, Psy.D., etc.), but also their vibe. You’re going to be unpacking big stuff. You need someone you can feel safe with,” says Dr. Carrington.
“Ask about their approach—EFT, Gottman [and] integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT) are all great options. And don’t be afraid to ‘shop around.’ You deserve someone who gets you both and knows how to hold space without judgment.” The Gottman Institute, founded by John Gottman, Ph.D., and Julie Schwartz Gottman, Ph.D., offers a research-based approach to the improvement of marriages and relationships, while IBCT, founded by Andrew Christenson, Ph.D., is a fairly newer approach to relationship therapy.
“Several platforms [offer] couples therapists online, such as Psychology Today, other telehealth and start-up telehealth spaces, [and] online practices. The one that I would recommend if [you] are looking for a therapist trained in couples therapy is the Gottman Institute, and search directly on their website to find a therapist,” notes Dr. Spann. “However, I would also recommend that a client have a consultation with the therapist and inquire about the therapist’s training, theoretical orientation and techniques used.”
“Bottom line? The best kind of therapy is the one that helps you feel seen, understood and safe enough to be vulnerable. That’s when healing starts,” says Dr. Carrington.
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| PRODUCT | FORBES HEALTH RATINGS | BEST FOR | LEARN MORE |
|---|---|---|---|
 5.0   | Best Overall | On Sesame Care's Website | |
| 4.7  | Best for Additional Support | On ReGain's Website | |
| 4.0  | Best for Insurance Coverage | ||
| 3.9 | Best Provider Network | On Talkspace's Website | |
| 3.8 | Best for Variety of Therapists | On Cerebral's Website |
“Online couples therapy is basically a lifeline for relationships—especially in a world where we’re so damn disconnected. It’s therapy that happens via secure video platforms, giving couples the chance to reconnect, to actually see and hear each other again, without the added stress of travel or finding parking or childcare,” says Dr. Carrington.
“Online couples therapy, similar to in-real-life couples therapy, can be tremendously effective and heavily reliant on the match between clients and therapist (or therapeutic relationship), along with other variables such as if abuse has been present, presenting ‘issues’ or conflicts, commitment to the work and more,” explains Verhulst. “Some studies have shown remote couples therapy can be as effective as offline couples therapy. Effectiveness, outcomes and sustainability will inevitably differ across couple[s] and presenting issues.”
“It can feel like an isolating and desperate experience when one partner really wants to try couples therapy and the other [is] resistant. This does not translate to a relationship being hopeless, as there are other experiences people might find some healing in (couples workshops, retreats, religious or spiritual outlets, etc),” notes Verhulst. “With that said, couples therapy is well-researched and takes place with trained professionals, giving the most opportunity to identify and change ingrained patterns and help facilitate mutual understanding.”
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Carley is a writer, editor and social media professional. Before starting at Forbes Health, she wrote for Sleepopolis and interned at PBS and Nickelodeon. She's a certified sleep science coach and member of the Peloton community. When she's not creating content, you can find her boating on the Chesapeake Bay, chasing around her three toddler nephews or trying a new outdoor lunch spot with her Pomeranian, Leo.
As an editor and writer who has contributed to many national and local publications, Nicole Gregory enjoys communicating clearly on critical health topics so that readers can make informed choices for themselves and their families. Her work has appeared in Los Angeles magazine, Good Housekeeping, the Orange County Register and other publications.
