The 8 benefits of online couples therapy
Relationships are not always easy , and it is normal for them to experience stages in which difficulties and conflicts may arise between the members, as each one has their own needs, their tastes, their insecurities and their vision of the world.
In reality, some people have a misconception of what love is and what it means to be in a couple, largely fuelled by film scripts, as people seem to be predestined to be together regardless of what factors favour or do not favour the well-being of the couple. In daily life and in everyday life the reality is very different, and communication and negotiation skills often determine success in a couple’s relationship.
Online couples therapy: ideal for bringing couples back together
Scientific studies conclude that couples therapy is one of the most useful offers of psychotherapy, but many couples are not aware of its benefits and that it helps to improve the level of satisfaction within the relationship and returns happiness to the members if they are going through a bad period.
Unlike other types of psychotherapy, it is not necessary to have received a diagnosis in order to see a psychologist, since the therapeutic sessions revolve around the relationship and not the individual .
Benefits of online couples therapy
However, because of the stigma attached to seeing a psychologist and the shame felt by some individuals, some people miss this opportunity to get better and enjoy love again. Fortunately, online couples therapy offers confidentiality, privacy and comfort, bringing many benefits.
But, what are the advantages of going to couples’ psychotherapy online? In the following lines we will explain.
1. All the benefits of online therapy
New technologies have allowed new ways of offering psychological therapy , and it is no longer necessary to go to a psychology clinic to attend therapy sessions with the couple because it is possible to receive psychological assistance from the computer, the tablet and even the smartphone.
Online therapy is becoming increasingly popular and research supports its effectiveness. As we explained in our article “The 10 benefits of the online psychologist”, the advantages of distance psychotherapy are
- Access from anywhere : online couples therapy can be done from anywhere in the world. It is possible to come to it without the need to travel and in spite of the difficulties of mobility and transport.
- Convenience : this form of psychological therapy offers a more flexible schedule, so the patient can adjust the sessions to his or her schedule and pace of life.
- Comfort : couples can connect with the online psychologist from their own environment (e.g. their home), where they feel comfortable and safe.
- Confidence : comfort promotes confidence and a good therapeutic alliance that has an impact on the well-being of the couple just as it does in face-to-face therapy.
- Different forms of communication : online therapy allows you to talk to the psychologist in the way that best suits your needs: video call, chat.
- Writing as a therapeutic tool : writing about the thoughts one has and the emotions one feels is a very effective therapeutic tool that can be used in online therapy.
- Intimacy : trust and comfort allow couples to feel more relaxed and communicate more openly when disclosing personal information.
2. Improve communication
Many couple problems have their origin in bad communication (either by the receiver, the message or the sender), because this not only generates conflicts, but efficient communication allows to solve them.
Online couples therapy offers patients the possibility of learning the communication skills necessary for the proper functioning of the relationship. Knowing how to empathize with the other partner, paying attention to his or her opinion and negotiating avoids many problematic situations and helps prevent toxic relationships. Likewise, learning to be assertive is key to keep the love going and allows for the strengthening of emotional ties and their improvement.
3. It helps to overcome occasional crises that could go further
The daily conflicts of life as a couple can often increase over time if they are not resolved in time. It can also happen that both members do not interpret the conflict in the same way or have different beliefs about some aspects of the relationship.
It is not necessary to go to couples’ therapy only when the bottom has been reached and the break-up is near, but treatment can be carried out at any time in the relationship and in the face of any problem affecting the couple, however minimal it may seem. Online couples therapy helps to improve satisfaction between the members ; for example, by learning negotiation skills that are basic to improving communication.
4. Allows to overcome problems in intimate relationships
The intimate moments with the partner play a very important role in the unity and stability of the couple and influence the emotional health of its members. Hugs, shows of affection and moments of intimacy encourage the development of a unique connection.
The source of problems in a relationship can be many. One of them is sexual problems, which cause shame, guilt, feelings of failure, and other negative emotions.
These problems do not only affect the person who suffers them, but his or her partner as well. Whether due to sexual dysfunctions (e.g. sexual arousal disorder, pain disorders, etc.) or monotony, in couples therapy it is possible to find solutions to these difficulties and thus increase the bond between the actors in the relationship.
5. Overcoming infidelity
One of the fundamental values for building a stable love relationship and a marriage is fidelity , so many couples seek psychological help when infidelity has occurred in the sexual and love field. Infidelities can occur for many reasons, for example, monotony and boredom. It is possible to prevent this situation before it occurs by means of online couples therapy.
Likewise, in cases where the unfaithful act has already been committed, long-distance psychotherapy is a good alternative to regain the stability of the couple.
6. Helps put future plans back on track
It is not essential to have the same views on everything for a relationship to work; however, agreeing on core values and having common goals and ambitions does affect the relationship positively . Each person has his or her own scale of values, but it is necessary that a relationship follows a direction in which both people feel good and are committed. Online couples’ therapy helps to work on this joint path.
7. Combat the alienation with the partner
When conflicts arise, it is common for the relationship to erode and members to drift apart if no solution is found. Feeling offended when things don’t go your way is quite common in interpersonal relationships, and the discomfort can lead to huge resentment when some problems are not put to rest.
Online couples therapy helps to find a balance between the needs and desires of each individual who forms the relationship, and in this way it is possible to avoid reproaches and prevent conflicts from growing and the tension from becoming so great that the relationship ends up breaking up.
8. Increases satisfaction and happiness within the relationship
Conflicts with our partner hurt us more than confrontations with other people and cause more passionate and emotional reactions.
Love is a magical feeling, but when problems in the relationship arise, emotional pain and deep discomfort can lead us into a situation of confusion and emotional imbalance that can affect our daily lives and daily activities, such as work
This form of therapy, by helping the couple to feel united again, improves the well-being and happiness of the participants in the relationship and recovers again those positive feelings that can be hidden.