For a long time, couples therapy meant sitting in a quiet office, face-to-face with your therapist. But these days, more and more couples are choosing to meet virtually, and many of them are finding it just as helpful (if not more so) than in-person sessions. If you’ve been wondering, “Is online couples counseling really possible?”—we’re here to say yes. Absolutely!

Clarity therapists have been offering online couples therapy for years, and we’ve seen how impactful it can be. Whether you’re in the same room, different locations, or traveling across Washington, virtual sessions can help you reconnect, communicate, and heal, without needing to leave your home.

How does online couples therapy work?

The structure is much the same as in-person therapy: you and your partner(s) meet with a licensed therapist using a secure video platform (SimplePractice), explore communication challenges, navigate conflict, and work on deepening connection. The biggest difference? You’re doing it from the comfort of your own space.

This means that sessions can happen from your living room, your car, or even from separate places if that’s what’s most comfortable. As long as you’re located in Washington State (where we’re licensed), we can meet with you virtually.

Why many couples actually prefer virtual therapy

We’ve found that many clients feel more at ease once they try online sessions...and some even prefer it. Here’s why:

• It’s more convenient: No commuting, no parking stress, and no extra time away from work or home. It’s therapy that fits into your life.
• It feels more comfortable: Being in your own environment can ease some of the vulnerability that therapy brings up—especially if you’re starting sex therapy for the first time.
• It works for long-distance or traveling couples: Whether you're in different cities or just on the go, virtual therapy keeps you connected.
• It gives you access to the right therapist: You don’t have to live in Seattle to work with a relationship therapist or sex therapist who really gets you.

What to consider before starting online couples therapy

While virtual sessions work beautifully for many couples, they do take a bit of setup to be successful. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• tech matters: A solid internet connection and reliable device go a long way. Tech glitches can be distracting in vulnerable moments.
• privacy is key: Try to create a quiet, interruption-free space. Kids, pets, and work alerts can make it harder to be present.
• presence helps: Even though it’s online, it still matters that you’re showing up fully. Turning off notifications and treating it like an in-person session makes a difference.

Who benefits most from virtual couples therapy?

We’ve seen online therapy work well for all kinds of couples and polycules, but it’s especially helpful for:

• partners with conflicting work schedules who can’t make it to our Seattle offices
• couples living in different cities (as long as both are in Washington State)
• new parents who want support but aren’t ready to leave home
• partners who feel more at ease talking vulnerably in familiar surroundings

How to get the most from online couples counseling

As with any therapy, the benefits come from how fully you engage. Here are a few tips to make the most of it:

• be present: Close the other tabs. Mute your phone. Let yourself arrive fully for the session.
• talk about what’s working: If the virtual format feels awkward or hard to connect with, say so. Your therapist can help.
• practice between sessions: The real work of therapy often happens in everyday moments. Applying what you’re learning matters.

So...is online couples counseling worth trying?

If you've been unsure whether therapy through a screen could really make a difference, we’d gently encourage you to try it. For many couples, it offers connection, convenience, and care, without ever stepping outside the front door.

Whether you’re looking for support as an individual or want to work on intimacy, communication, or conflict with your partner(s), virtual couples therapy can be a powerful, accessible way to get started.

You don’t need to wait until things feel urgent. Let’s begin whenever you’re ready.