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If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. Online sex therapy is a type of talking therapy available to both individuals and couples. Sexual issues may affect a person’s mental and emotional well-being, but therapists specializing in these areas can offer coping strategies and techniques. Share on PinterestAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), sexual health is integral to the overall health and well-being of an individual and those with whom they have a close, intimate relationship. If a person is having difficulties in this area, they may wish to consider online sex therapy. A quick look at the best online sex therapy services Best for text therapy TalkspaceBest for couples ReGainBest for individuals BetterHelpBest for the LGBTQIA community Pride Counseling What is sex therapy Sex therapists are qualified counselors or healthcare professionals who help people with sexual difficulties. They can help individuals experiencing various challenges, such as a lack of desire, difficulty having orgasms, pain during sex, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, or any other issue related to sex. Sex therapy sessions usually involve talking therapy, during which a person will discuss their sexual experiences, feelings, and therapy goals. The effects of sexual difficulties Sexual difficulties may affect a person’s mental health and lead to conditions such as depression and anxiety. According to the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA), sex is an important part of a person’s physical and emotional health. The ASHA also states that sexual health covers many areas, including:pleasuresatisfactionintimacycommunication How we chose Medical News Today looks at some of the following criteria when deciding on reputable and well-received services:Health claims: MNT includes companies that make no questionable health claims.Trust: MNT includes companies that operate with transparency in regard to their products, services, and leadership. Also, where relevant, chosen companies have certifications from reputable, third party organizations.Business standards: MNT chooses companies that follow safe and ethical business and marketing practices.Reputation: MNT highlights companies that have positive standings with the Better Business Bureau and neither warnings from governing bodies nor unresolved lawsuits. Best online sex therapy programs It can be difficult to choose from the many online sex therapy options. A suitable starting point may be the online directories from the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and the Society for Sex Therapy & Research (SSTAR). Below, we look at some online sex therapy options to consider. Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these services. All information is purely research-based and correct at the time of publishing. Best for text therapy Talkspace Price: $50–90 per week Talkspace is an online therapy platform that offers a range of support options, including relationship and sex-related therapy. The sessions can be for individuals or couples. Once a person registers, they can browse licensed therapist profiles to search for someone with the appropriate specialty in sex and relationships. People can also switch therapists at any time at no extra cost. A person who registers as part of a couple can still have individual therapy sessions once treatment starts and upon a therapist’s recommendations. The sessions are available via video chat, messaging, or telephone. This is a subscription service, with the prices ranging from $50 to $90 per week. The cost depends on the service a person or couple chooses and whether they opt for an individual or couple’s membership. Talkspace reportedly works with a variety of health insurance plans. A person should contact their health insurance provider or their employer’s human resources department for confirmation of coverage.LEARN MORE ProsThe company accepts insurance coverage.It allows people to choose from three different plans.Therapy sessions can take place via video, text, or telephone.A person can message their therapist at any time of the day.The company employs psychiatrists who can prescribe medications. ConsVideo sessions are not available in every plan.Remote sessions may not suit people who are in a life threatening situation.Trustpilot reviews are mostly negative. Best for couples ReGain Price: $60–90 per week ReGain specializes in relationship therapy and claims to be the world’s largest couples therapy service. However, it also offers individual counseling. The service deals with a range of relationship issues, including intimacy and sex. ReGain’s service is 100% online, and a person can choose whether they would prefer to use messaging, video, or phone calls. Individuals can also message their therapist at any time and arrange a live session whenever suits them. All therapists have licenses and accreditation in their fields and specialize in a range of topics. Once a person registers on the website, they can choose the area of their relationship they wish to discuss. Individuals may also select “improve sex and intimacy,” for which ReGain will assign them a suitable therapist. The prices start from about $60–90 per week, depending on location, a person’s needs, and therapist availability. A person can cancel their membership at any time.LEARN MORE ProsIt is possible to sign up as a couple or an individual.A person can message their therapist at any time of the day.Sessions can take place by phone, video chat, or instant message. ConsThe service matches people with therapists through an algorithm rather than allowing them to make their own selection.There is an exclusive focus on relationship problems.A person may not be able to claim back the costs through their insurance plan. Best for individuals BetterHelp Price: $60–90 per week BetterHelp offers a wide range of licensed therapists, some of whom specialize in intimacy issues. A person can message their assigned therapist at any time. Sessions can take place via live video call, phone call, or live chat. Weekly online group seminars are also available for individuals to attend if they wish. The cost ranges from about $60 to $90, depending on location, therapist availability, and individual preference. A person can use the therapy service for as long as they need and cancel their membership at any time.LEARN MORE ProsThe company offers therapy sessions for individuals, couples, and teens.The therapists can hold sessions through video chat.A person can join group sessions if they wish to do so. ConsA person cannot use their health insurance to cover the costs.No psychiatrists are available, so people cannot receive prescriptions.Billing occurs regardless of whether a person has scheduled any sessions. Best for the LGBTQIA community Pride Counseling Price: $60–90 per week Pride Counseling provides counseling for members of LGBTQIA+ communities. A person can register and discuss any issue with their assigned LGBTQIA+ specialized therapist. Although the company does not specifically say that it offers sex therapy, all of its therapists are licensed, experienced, and trained in many different areas, including sexuality and other LGBTQIA+ matters. Pride Counseling assigns a therapist to a person depending on their preferences and needs, but clients can change therapists if they choose. This service may be the preferred choice of individuals looking for a site tailored toward LGBTQIA+ issues, which may include sexual issues. Currently, Pride Counseling only offers individual counseling options. A person can communicate with their therapist via messaging, live messaging, live video chat, and phone calls. The price ranges from about $60 to $90 per week, depending on therapist availability and a person’s location and needs.LEARN MORE ProsThe therapists specialize in LGBTQIA+ identities and relationships.A person can message their therapist at any time of the day.Therapy sessions can take place via live messaging, video chat, and phone calls. ConsThe company currently offers only individual counseling.It does not accept health insurance coverage.There are no psychiatrists available, so people cannot receive prescriptions. A comparison of the best online sex therapy servicesPriceSpecializes inWays to communicate with a therapistAccepts insurance?Talkspace$50–90 per weekanyone in need of mental health supportlive videovideo and audio messagingphone calllive online text chatyesReGain$60–90 per weekcouples seeking therapylive videotext messagingphone calllive online text chatnoBetterHelp$60–90 per weekanyone in need of mental health supportlive video callphone calllive online text chatnoPride Counseling$60–90 per weekLGBTQIA+ supportlive videophone calllive online text chatno How to choose an online sex therapy service Our picks for the best online platforms offer similar services at comparable prices. The best online sex therapy service for a person may depend on their relationship status and personal identifiers, such as whether they identify as belonging to an LGBTQIA+ community and whether they have any partners. Some services specialize in specific focus areas or communities. A person’s preferred means of communication with a therapist may affect their decision, as well. The services in this article offer a mix of live messaging, video calls, phone calls, and online group sessions. Frequently asked questions about sex therapy Below we look at some of the most frequently asked questions relating to sex therapy. Is sex therapy right for me If a person has concerns about their sexual intimacy or finds that sexual issues are affecting their emotional well-being, they may benefit from sex therapy. Sexual health conditions, such as erectile dysfunction, can also affect a person’s mental health, so individuals experiencing these health issues may benefit from contacting a therapist. How is online sex therapy structured Online therapy involves counseling via secure video chat or other virtual methods. Similar to face-to-face counseling, a person will talk with their counselor, who will ask questions and may offer techniques and strategies that could ease difficulties. A therapist will never ask a person to participate in sexual activity during their sessions — the sessions are talking-based only. Individuals can search for online sex therapists through directories from AASECT and SSTAR. What does online sex therapy usually cost Online sex therapy costs depend on the company and therapist. The options in this article range between $50 and $90 per week. The therapy may cost more than regular counseling, as it focuses on a specialized area of health and well-being. Couple’s counseling may also cost more than individual counseling. When to speak with a doctor A person should speak with a doctor if their sexual problems are:lasting longer than a few monthsaffecting their relationshipsreducing their physical well-beingaffecting their emotional well-being Individuals who experience erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation should also speak with a doctor, as medications are available that could help alleviate the symptoms. It is always important to make a doctor aware of any current medications, in case these could be affecting sexual health. Summary Sexual health is important for an individual’s or couple’s overall well-being. If a person has sexual difficulties, this could affect their mental health and their relationship with their partner or partners. Online sex therapy, a type of talking therapy, is available to individuals and couples. People can discuss any sexual or relationship issues with a therapist typically specializing in these areas. Many online therapy services involve a subscription fee, but a person can cancel this at any time. Last medically reviewed on March 7, 2022Uncategorized 3 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Sexual health. (n.d.).https://www.who.int/health-topics/sexual-health#tab=tab_1What does a sex therapist do? (2019).https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/sexual-health/what-does-a-sex-therapist-do/What is sexual health? (n.d.)https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/sexual-health/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Janet Brito, Ph.D., LCSW, CST — By Suzy Davenport — Updated on April 10, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related Coverage6 causes of crying after sexMedically reviewed by Janet Brito, Ph.D., LCSW, CST Crying after sex is something that many people experience. Read this article to learn more about why it happens and what to do if it does.READ MOREWhy is my sex drive so high?Medically reviewed by Janet Brito, Ph.D., LCSW, CST Why am I so horny, and what are the causes of a high sex drive? 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