Pros and Cons of Online Couples' Therapy

Virtual health services have become more commonplace over the last decade, and the coronavirus pandemic has expedited their popularity. Even from the confines of our homes, we have access to one-on-one conversations with medical doctors, dermatologists, and therapists.

了解有关夫妻的治疗会议可能与亲自咨询，福利和潜在缺点不同的更多信息，以及如何找到优秀治疗师的指导。

概述

在线治疗有许多names-e-therapy teletherapy, telecounseling, e-counseling, and even cyber counseling. In many ways, it's the same as therapy you’d get from an in-person session, only your conversations take place through text, email, or video chats. Online therapy for couples is similar, only both you and your partner are present and the goal is to improve your relationship dynamic together.

“In the session, your therapist will guide you through exercises and communication practices. The goal is to help you improve the quality of your relationship, increase or renew the friendship factor, enhance your intimacy through deeper emotional connection, and navigate and resolve conflicts effectively,” explainsJennie Marie Battistin，基于加利福尼亚州伯班克的持牌婚姻和家庭治疗师（LMFT）。

As is the case with all forms of therapy, how many sessions you decide to partake in is up to you and your partner, informed by your therapist’s recommendation. Some can resolve in a few months while others benefit from ongoing sessions over the course of years.

Benefits

In general, couples’ therapy opens the door of communication and can strengthen what many would consider their most important relationship.

In terms of the benefits of online couples' therapy versus in-office sessions, there are a handful to consider:

• It’s Convenient:对治疗师的办公室没有通勤通常允许更容易调度，特别是在工作时间表可能碰撞的情况下或者有孩子。当某些东西与您的日程安排很好，留下课程更容易。
• You May Feel More Comfortable:与你从未见过的人一起走进外地，播出个人细节很难做到。虽然在家里仍然是一个艰难的过程，但在你的空间的安全茧中可能会使它变得更加容易。
• Learned Skills May Translate Easily:“练习家庭的沟通技巧可能有助于将技能转化为现实生活，这有助于增加使用技能日常使用的能力，”Battistin说。
• 它打开了长途关系咨询的门：If you’re in a long-distance relationship and unable to consistently participate in traditional therapy, online couples’ therapy is a viable alternative.

“To ensure your session goes well, being open minded and accepting is the first step," says Dr. Hafeez. “It also helps towrite out your individual and couple goals, as well as your complaints or worries, so you don’t spend your time being sidetracked and later feeling you never got to say the important things.”

Note that in some cases the goal or outcome of couples’ therapy is to help you determine whether it makes sense to remain in the relationship. In cases where you’re in a relationship that’s not demonstrably unhealthy but otherwise可能更好地结束, couples’ therapy can help you amicably separate.

潜在的缺点

虽然与在线夫妇夫妇治疗相关的许多好处，但同样重要的是承认一些潜在的缺点。这些可能包括以下内容：

• 读身体语言更难：“With a virtual session, there’s a limited understanding of body language and interaction specific to in-person behaviors in online sessions,” says Dr. Hafeez. While some body language can still be read through a screen, some important cues might be missed by your therapist.
• 可能会发生中断：儿童，敲门，宠物，互联网连接问题以及其他中断更有可能发生。Hafeez博士还指出，如果您与他人住在一起或有孩子害怕无意中，您可能会更静静地说话或更犹豫。所有这些因素都会影响您的会话流程。
• 会议可能觉得不太亲密：由于您通过屏幕与治疗师与治疗师进行沟通，因此会话可能会感到不那么个人。这可能会使打开并使自己变得脆弱。
• Sessions Are Trickier to Control:虽然并非总是这样的情况，但Battistin说这可能很难保持more volatile couples平静而不有治疗师的身体存在。

一般来说，在存在物理颠及的情况下，最好安排一个人，一对一的治疗会话与在线或虚拟会话。此外，Battistin表示，一对一的会话（虚拟或亲自）是理想的one person is struggling with deep depressionor a mental disorder.

寻找治疗师

Several studies have suggested that online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy, permitting you’re speaking to a skilled therapist.

“I recommend seeking a private practice therapist who primarily has specialized in couples’ therapy in-office, yet offers online when the need arises. It’s also best to seek a therapist who has completed additional training in couples’ therapy; preferably they’ve obtained a level three or certification level in couples' therapy modality,” says Battistin. “You might be surprised to learn most therapists have had only two to three classes in conducting couples’ therapy while pursuing their master's or doctoral degree.”

“Additionally,” she says, “a social worker with training in couples’ therapy could be a good fit. And always, the persons with the greatest training in any type of counseling are those with doctorates (PsyD or PhD).”

The following directories can help point you in the right direction:

• 戈斯曼夫妻治疗师
• Imago Couples Therapist
• Emotional Focused Couples Therapist

Online Platforms

有几个在线平台被出现为私人实践治疗师的替代品。一些平台比其他平台更适合提供夫妻的治疗。如何选择或更改治疗师的方式存在差异，并且每个平台都可以使用视频聊天。

As the field of online therapy continues to develop, however, it's likely that these platforms will expand and refine their offerings to suit more specific needs, including couples' therapy. If affordability is a concern, there are options to explore.

A Word From Verywell

The advent of online couples’ counseling has provided more flexibility to couples across the globe who desire to navigate their relationship with the help of an expert.

In cases where virtual is the only option—during stay-at-home orders, while traveling, in a long-distance relationship, or in situations when commuting simply isn’t a possibility—virtual sessions may prove an excellent alternative to in-person sessions. All couples have their own needs, so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of online couples’ therapy to determine if it’s the right move for your relationship.