The 10 Best Online Therapy Resources for Divorce Counseling in 2024

We tested ReGain’s couples counseling and individual relationship counseling services five times across New York, South Dakota, Ohio, and the UK. While we did not turn to ReGain for support preceding a divorce (in each case, we wanted to strengthen our relationship, not discuss ending it), the care we received convinced us that couples discussing divorce would benefit from ReGain’s services.

For the most part, we were impressed with the quality of care we received from our therapists. Our providers were open and friendly while still being very clearly professional and experienced. We especially benefited from working through parenting issues, which can be particularly important for couples considering divorce who have children together. We also appreciated that we could sign into our online sessions from different locations—a useful service for couples who have split and are not living under the same roof anymore. Our therapists also assigned us worksheets to fill out between sessions so that we could keep practicing the skills we’d learned in therapy and give feedback on what was working for us and what wasn’t; this made us feel as though our therapists were committed to giving us the most helpful guidance they could.

The main problem with ReGain, however, is its short session times. Our appointments ran from 30 to 45 minutes each, which we often felt was not enough time to really delve into problems. In fact, this sometimes led to arguments between sessions because we had brought up issues in our appointments that we weren’t able to resolve with our therapists. Bear this in mind when pursuing care with ReGain.

According to ReGain’s website, the cost of therapy varies depending on whether you are seen individually or as a couple, and pricing varies by location. When you sign up, you are asked questions about your financial situation and disability status, but information about whether this impacts your price is not available.

ReGain’s website states that therapy costs are between $65 and $90 per week, with subscriptions billed monthly.

We surveyed 100 users of ReGain:

• 99% rated ReGain as good, very good, or excellent overall
• 100% rated their therapist’s qualifications as good, very good, or excellent
• 98% said that most or all of their needs were met at ReGain
• 98% are likely or very likely to recommend ReGain to a friend or someone like them
• 11 people were considering a divorce
  

We tested Circles twice, both times from California, and although we did not turn to Circles for support while going through a divorce, the experiences we did have made us confident that Circles can provide the necessary support for someone faced with divorce.

We tried one group about grief and loss and one group about emotional wellness—both topics that can definitely be relevant to someone dealing with divorce—and were immediately put at ease by the facilitators’ warmth and professionalism. They guided our group sessions deftly, checking in with every member without forcing them to speak or share if they did not feel comfortable doing so, and we felt supported and validated by our fellow group members. The advice we received and experiences we heard made us feel better about facing our own challenges, and we can easily see how a group like that would benefit those going through a divorce.

Our time with Circles wasn’t all perfect, though. One of the groups we attended was far less structured than the others, and we would have appreciated a firmer hand from our facilitator. We also would have liked to see more options for meeting times, as the group we really liked wouldn’t have fit into our schedule in an ongoing way.

Circles offers two subscription plans:

• A monthly plan costs $29 per month
• A yearly plan costs $15 per month

Verywell Mind readers get a discount of 22% off a monthly or yearly subscription with the code VERYWELL22, applied at checkout.

We surveyed 100 users of Circles:

• 99% rated Circles as good, very good, or excellent overall
• 97% rated their therapist’s qualifications as good, very good, or excellent
• 94% said that most or all of their needs were met at Circles
• 95% are likely or very likely to recommend Circles to a friend or someone like them
• 5 people were considering a divorce
  

We tried Growing Self’s services twice in Colorado (where the company is based) and once in Missouri, and tested its couples counseling specifically one time. And while we ourselves did not receive discernment counseling—which involves deciding on how to proceed with a marriage—the growth-focused and in-depth therapy we received from our provider made us certain that a couple considering divorce would benefit greatly from this service. 

Our therapist began our first session by asking us what we liked about our partner and what brought us together initially, which immediately made us feel comfortable and happy to share. This made it easier for us and our partner to open up about more difficult subjects later. We really felt seen by our therapist, not just as individuals seeking therapy, but as a couple, which we had never experienced before in couples counseling. It truly felt as though our therapist wanted to understand our dynamics as a unit and get to the heart of every problem (parenting styles and finances were two of our biggest concerns). 

We also especially appreciated our therapist’s “no secrets” policy. In our individual sessions with our provider (we and our partner each had solo appointments with her after our initial session together), we were told that we weren’t allowed to say, “Please don’t tell my spouse this”—this served as a reminder that couples counseling is about us as a couple rather than separate individuals and that skirting around more serious issues would not benefit anyone, which is never more true than when the fate of your marriage hangs in the balance. 

The only problem with Growing Self is that it employs both licensed counselors and unlicensed coaches who are not held to the same professional standards as therapists; if this is concerning to you, be aware of the credentials of the provider you work with.

Growing Self offers a free consultation prior to starting services. The fee for sessions varies based on each provider’s experience:

• Most Experienced: These therapists have doctoral degrees in psychology or counseling and charge $170 per session, with some sliding scale options available.
• More Experienced: These “advanced clinicians” are licensed mental health professionals who charge $145 per session, with some sliding scale fees reaching as low as $105.
• More Affordable: Providers in this tier are master's level clinicians with fewer years of experience. Sessions are $125, though sliding scale fees may be available as low as $85.
• Most Affordable: Master's level clinicians with training in counseling or coaching fall into this category, charging $115 per session and sliding scale options as low as $75 per session available.
  

Growing Self is not in-network with insurance, and its therapists are not Medicare or Medicaid providers. According to its website, if a client has a diagnosable psychiatric condition, it can provide out-of-network services that can be billed to insurance. However, since its approach emphasizes “personal growth, healthy relationships, and positive change—not the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric conditions,” it does not guarantee that services will be reimbursable.

We surveyed 100 users of Growing Self:

• 98% rated Growing Self as good, very good, or excellent overall
• 100% rated their therapist’s qualifications as good, very good, or excellent
• 97% said that most or all of their needs were met at Growing Self
• 96% are likely or very likely to recommend Growing Self to a friend or someone like them
• 3 people were considering a divorce
  

When going through a divorce, people may feel many extreme emotions, especially toward their soon-to-be ex. Behaving civilly for the children's sake can feel impossible. Co-parenting classes are a fantastic resource for parents who want to be able to put their children’s needs first and work together to the best of their ability. Crossroads of Parenting & Divorce provides various options to develop these skills and implement them in your family. And although we did not test out this class personally, its reputation as one of the most comprehensive co-parenting courses out there stands it apart and makes it worth recommending.

The Crossroads of Parenting and Divorce Online Group is a self-guided course that you can do online from anywhere. The virtual class gives you three weeks to complete coursework on your own schedule and pace. The course offers access to a moderated online discussion forum, so users can talk through the skills they are learning and gain peer support from others who are taking the course.

If a judge has ordered you to complete a co-parenting class as part of your divorce or custody arrangement, Crossroads of Parenting & Divorce can often meet this requirement. It provides a certificate of completion after the class is done. However, check with your lawyer and the judge making the order to ensure that the course meets your specific requirements.

The self-guided course is $79.95, and users have three weeks to complete the course.

In addition to the online courses offered, Crossroads’ website has a free parenting quiz to determine your parenting style.

Since this is a course and not therapy, Crossroads does not accept insurance and is not a reimbursable service.

We didn’t survey users of the Crossroads of Parenting & Divorce Online Group, but it is consistently rated among the best co-parenting resources. Few online user reviews are available, though the class is often recommended by therapists and family courts.

"As upsetting as divorce can be on its own, things can get even more complicated when children are involved," explains Hannah Owens, LMSW and subject matter expert. "That makes a co-parenting class like this imperative. With guidance, divorced parents can make the transition much easier for their kids."

Divorce can be especially stressful and difficult for children. Kids often do not understand the adult reasons behind the divorce, and it may not be appropriate to share that information with them. They are on the front lines of their parents’ disagreements, arguments, and custody negotiations, and although children are not responsible for their parents’ marriage, they may feel guilty or like they caused the divorce. For all of these reasons, divorce counseling for children is important.

This is where Thriveworks comes in. We tested Thriveworks seven times in Massachusetts, Ohio, Florida, South Dakota, Kansas, Kentucky, and Missouri, and specifically tried out its children’s therapy services twice. Both our kids (one teenage girl and one preteen girl) were thrilled with the care they received from their Thriveworks therapists. It was obvious that these providers were well-suited to treat our kids—they were clearly experienced with working with children and teens and were able to establish a rapport quickly and easily (no mean feat when dealing with teenagers). 

Our kids felt comfortable opening up to their providers and, in doing so, were able to address issues like stress and anxiety in a way that felt reasonable and doable. This bodes well for kids who might be experiencing divorce, since those feelings can easily crop up and need to be addressed empathetically and directly by a therapist.

Thriveworks is in-network with most insurance providers and encourages clients to use their insurance. Because insurance coverage varies, the company cannot guarantee what your cost of treatment will be when using your insurance. You may have to meet a deductible before your coverage starts or owe a copay for each session. 

Specific information about self-pay cost is not clearly listed on the website, but in our experience, therapy sessions start at $99 and may change based on your location and provider.

We surveyed 100 users of Thriveworks:

• 98% rated Thriveworks as good, very good, or excellent overall
• 98% rated their therapist’s qualifications as good, very good, or excellent
• 96% said that most or all of their needs were met at Thriveworks
• 96% are likely or very likely to recommend Thriveworks to a friend or someone like them
• 5 people were considering a divorce
  

LifeStance Health provides individual and couples therapy for a wide variety of concerns, including life transitions, stress, trauma, and attachment issues, all of which can arise during and after a divorce. We tested LifeStance six times in Illinois, New York, Florida, Oregon, Michigan, and Ohio, and although we did not seek support for the aftermath of a divorce, the care we received was enough to make us confident that its services would benefit someone in that position.

We were especially impressed with the family therapy we received from LifeStance—which would be a good option for any family recovering from a divorce. Our therapist was friendly and warm, and from the very beginning had a sort of “take charge” attitude that we appreciated. Our intake session was a full hour and covered everything from what we wanted out of therapy to our family dynamics to our approach to parenting. It was also clear that our therapist had experience treating children and was a great match for us and our young daughter. And the first session wasn’t just a get-to-know-you affair—by the end of it, our therapist had provided us with suggestions and insight relating to the specific needs we had outlined earlier that had brought us to therapy in the first place.

However, not all of our experiences with LifeStance were this positive. In one case, we couldn’t actually sign up for services at all despite trying for weeks to find a therapist, and in others we had technical issues with our video sessions. In addition, we didn’t always feel as though the providers we saw were the right ones for us, which was frustrating. We also had problems with LifeStance’s pricing, which is not outlined anywhere on the site and often came as a surprise once we’d already signed up.

LifeStance indicates that it accepts most insurance plans. Additional pricing information is not listed on its website, though the FAQs explain that “The cost per session for any type of therapy is dependent on your payment method, your insurance plan, your location, and additional factors.”

We surveyed 100 users of LifeStance Health:

• 96% rated LifeStance Health as good, very good, or excellent overall
• 97% rated their therapist’s qualifications as good, very good, or excellent
• 96% said that most or all of their needs were met at LifeStance Health
• 90% are likely or very likely to recommend LifeStance Health to a friend or someone like them
• 2 people were considering a divorce
  

LGBTQIA+ individuals going through divorce face the same stress and adjustment issues as straight and/or cisgender individuals, with the added difficulty of finding a provider who will affirm their identity without stigma and discrimination. Inclusive Therapists was developed to ensure that everyone could find competent care with a provider who understands them, regardless of identity.

In our testing, we were especially impressed with the filter options available when searching for a therapist: not only could we search by specialty, but "therapist identity" and "cultural knowledge" filters were also available. This guaranteed that we would be able to find someone appropriate for our needs as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

We also tested the Inclusive Therapists directory across 17 different zip codes and 37 different hypothetical scenarios in which someone might be seeking therapy—we evaluated how many providers were available on the directory who could address these scenarios and rated how appropriate those choices were on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best possible choice of therapist. We found that Inclusive Therapists performed exceptionally well in situations involving a couple who was discussing divorce, as well as LGBTQIA+-specific scenarios such as needing a letter of support for hormone replacement therapy and finding a therapist for a child who just came out as non-binary.

All providers listed on the Inclusive Therapists directory make a commitment to uphold the company’s values and social justice ideals. LGBTQIA+ clients can feel confident that they will find a therapist who will not degrade them because of their identity and who will understand the particular challenges that accompany a divorce involving an LGBTQIA+ relationship. 

Because Inclusive Therapists is a directory and not a platform that employs therapists directly, therapists set their own rates, so prices vary. Some offer sliding scale pricing and accept various insurance plans. When searching for a therapist, you can filter results based on your insurance plan.

We surveyed 100 users of Inclusive Therapists:

• 99% rated Inclusive Therapists as good, very good, or excellent overall
• 99% rated their therapist’s qualifications as good, very good, or excellent
• 92% said that most or all of their needs were met at Inclusive Therapists
• 98% are likely or very likely to recommend Inclusive Therapists to a friend or someone like them
• 6 people were considering a divorce
  

Daily Strength is an online forum with many different communities, one of which caters to those dealing with breakups and divorces. Although an online forum is not a substitute for traditional therapy, Daily Strength uses its position to create space for peer support, which can be an important component of healing during or after a divorce. These forums are free to use, and members can connect with peers going through similar experiences at any time. The versatility, flexibility, and commitment to emotional and physical safety make Daily Strength a great resource for people going through a divorce.

Daily Strength has clear and specific rules for use: Users must treat each other with respect, not engage in abusive behavior, and seek the advice of a health care provider for questions about medical conditions. Forums are not moderated; however, members have clear instructions for reporting abuse when needed. Members who do not follow the rules may be warned or banned from posting in the future.

Although users can create an anonymous username and profile, posts are published on the internet, so users should be mindful when sharing information that could identify them. They must also be aware that anyone could potentially read their posts.

Daily Strength is free to use and does not require payment, credit card information, or a subscription.

Although we did not test Daily Strength or survey any of its users ourselves, the convenience of the forums and the free peer support available to those going through divorce make it worth recommending. Some users report a positive experience finding support and connection through Daily Strength’s forums. However, others have indicated that some forums have rules that are not enforced consistently, and moderators do not always clearly communicate the reasons why someone was banned.

"Divorce can feel very isolating," says Owens. "Hearing from others who have been through the same process can be buoying at a time when everything feels like it's in upheaval."

Zencare aims to help BIPOC people find a therapist who understands and shares their cultural, ethnic, and racial identities. Many therapists listed on the platform advertise that they specialize in issues related to divorce, and you can filter your search to reflect that specialization. When we tested Zencare most recently, we were blown away by how many options we had even after filtering for our specific needs (over 300). We especially appreciated how clear the pricing was; each therapist specified their exact out-of-pocket prices and which insurance plans they accepted. Because cost is usually one of the main barriers to care, especially for the BIPOC community, we found this clarity extremely helpful.

We also tested Zencare across 16 different zip codes, looking for therapists who could provide appropriate care to therapy seekers in 37 different scenarios. We found that Zencare excelled in situations where we were looking for culturally informed care—when we needed a Black therapist who understood our point of view, we were able to find both male and female providers on Zencare who fit this description (and Zencare outperformed many of the 24 other therapy directories we tested in these scenarios). 

In addition, we were able to find therapists across all the tested zip codes who we felt could adequately and professionally address a situation in which a couple was considering divorce—once again outperforming most other directories. The fact that Zencare has therapists who identify as BIPOC and have the specialty to treat a couple considering divorce makes this directory the perfect place for the BIPOC community to look for divorce counseling.

Zencare is an online directory that allows therapists and therapy practices to list their business for prospective clients. As such, there are no set prices or plans to choose from. However, many therapists listed on Zencare are willing to work with insurance or offer low-fee sessions for some clients. Session rates vary greatly depending on the provider and location, from $50 per session to more than $400 per session.

We surveyed 100 users of Zencare:

• 99% rated Zencare as good, very good, or excellent overall
• 98% rated their therapist’s qualifications as good, very good, or excellent
• 95% said that most or all of their needs were met at Zencare
• 96% are likely or very likely to recommend Zencare to a friend or someone like them
• 5 people were considering a divorce
  

The Gottman Referral Network is a directory of therapists trained and certified in Gottman couples therapy, an evidence-based approach to marriage and couples therapy with more than 40 years of research demonstrating its effectiveness. In our most recent testing, we were very pleased with the number of therapists available to us even after filtering for insurance and specialty (we were looking for help with anxiety).

Gottman-trained therapists can be Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, or Certified, with each level building on the previous one and giving the therapist tools and techniques to better support couples in their therapy process. While the goal of Gottman couples therapy is often reunification, the techniques can also be applied to discernment counseling, co-parenting work, or individual recovery following separation or divorce.

We tested the Gottman Referral Network across 37 different scenarios in which someone might be looking for therapy, evaluating how many quality providers were available in 16 zip codes. Not surprisingly, we were able to find therapists appropriate for couples considering divorce in every location we checked. 

Each provider in the directory chooses their rate and what insurance plans they accept, if any. You can filter search results based on whether or not a provider accepts insurance.

We surveyed 100 users of Gottman Referral Network:

• 95% rated Gottman Referral Network as good, very good, or excellent overall
• 93% rated their therapist’s qualifications as good, very good, or excellent
• 92% said that most or all of their needs were met at Gottman Referral Network
• 92% are likely or very likely to recommend Gottman Referral Network to a friend or someone like them
• 13 people were considering a divorce