ReGain Online Therapy Review

ReGain is a valuable online telehealth service for anyone looking for couples and relationship therapy. All of the company’s mental health providers are licensed, and most are specifically trained to provide relationship counseling. With a ReGain subscription, couples can access unlimited messaging and live video or phone sessions via smartphone, tablet, or laptop on the user-friendly website or app.

Learn More about ReGain Online Therapy.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Specializes in couples therapy and relationship issues
• Offers live phone and video sessions and unlimited messaging 
• User-friendly interface
• All mental health providers are licensed 
• Easy to schedule appointments
• Easy to switch therapists
• In-depth therapist matching process
• Subscription prices are relatively affordable
• Offers e-journal that you can share with your therapist and partner

Cons

• Doesn’t accept health insurance
• Does not offer non-relationship focused therapy
• No medication management
• You don’t see your exact subscription price until sign up
• Not available outside the U.S. 
• Prior communication is deleted if you switch therapists
• Doesn’t commit to being HIPAA-compliant
• Longer live sessions aren’t available

While individual talk therapy can help to improve your relationships, many people prefer to seek out couples therapy and work through issues alongside a spouse or partner. Couples therapy has been found to be effective in improving overall relationship satisfaction, emotional intimacy, and communication between partners. Both men and women experience a decrease in psychological distress at the end of a couples counseling session. 

Studies suggest that teletherapy may help couples feel more comfortable and “in control” during therapy sessions. However, many online therapy platforms focus on individual talk therapy rather than couples therapy. ReGain–a teletherapy service geared specifically toward people experiencing relationship challenges–is one of the major exceptions currently on the market. 

To complete this review, we drew from the results of a survey of 105 ReGain users and consulted a subject matter expert. I also tested the platform with my husband, who signed up for the service with me. 

What Is ReGain?

Owned by BetterHelp, ReGain was founded in 2016 as an online relationship platform. The company provides video, audio, and text therapy with licensed mental health providers to people experiencing relationship issues. ReGain is available in both English and Spanish across all 50 U.S. states, though unlike its parent company, it is not available internationally. 

Overall, ReGain has a positive reputation as a high-quality teletherapy service for couples. According to our survey, 77% of ReGain users rated their experience with the platform as excellent, very good, or good. Seventy-two percent of users said they would be very likely or likely to recommend the company to a friend or loved one.

ReGain hasn’t attracted much negative media publicity. However, its parent company BetterHelp has come under scrutiny in recent years, with serious concerns about the company’s privacy standards and how the platform tracks, uses, and shares customer data. And since the company told us all of its owned and operated platforms operate in largely the same way, it is very likely that these concerns will apply to ReGain as well. 

What Services Does ReGain Offer?

The main service ReGain offers is couples therapy with a licensed therapist. The first live session (offered by phone or video) is typically 45 minutes long, followed by 30-minute sessions after that. In between live sessions, you and your partner can message your therapist at any time in a private portal. You can also attend individual therapy sessions to discuss relationship issues—especially if your partner isn’t able to attend a certain session—but this isn’t the company’s primary focus.

Most of ReGain’s mental health providers are psychologists, marriage and family therapists, licensed professional therapists, or clinical social workers. All are licensed and/or certified in their given field. ReGain doesn’t offer medication management services, psychiatry, help with court-ordered therapy, or therapy for kids or teens. 

Who Is ReGain For?

The couples therapy providers at ReGain work in a variety of modalities—such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), sex therapy, and attachment therapy—depending on their particular background and area of expertise. They can help you deal with a wide variety of common mental health and relationship issues, such as:

• Stress
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Relationship conflicts
• Addiction
• Parenting
• Family issues
• Sex
• Financial issues
• Intimacy
• Grief
• Separation
• Divorce
• Life changes
• Adoption and foster care
• Communication
• Gender identity and transition

ReGain works with couples of all genders and sexual orientations. Many of the platform’s therapists are specifically trained to offer affirming care to members of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

How Much Does ReGain Cost?

A ReGain subscription includes one live therapy session per week and unlimited audio, video, and text messaging with your therapist, and it usually costs at least $60 to $90 per week when billed every 4 weeks. This amounts to somewhere between $240 and $360 a month.

You can also buy a weekly subscription, but the overall cost is generally higher. 

In addition, you won’t know the exact cost of your subscription until after you sign up, because the specific price is adjusted based on factors like your location and therapist availability. 

The company told us that all BetterHelp-owned companies engage in surge pricing. “This means that they charge more for services in areas where mental health care is in more demand,” explains Hannah Owens, LMSW and mental health editor, “and it could be a barrier to care for therapy seekers living in these areas who cannot afford the higher prices.” 

After I signed up, I was given the choice between: 

• $80 per week, billed every 4 weeks ($320 per month)
• $95 per week, billed weekly

I opted for the monthly subscription due to the lower cost. 

Out-of-pocket therapy costs typically range from about $60 to $200 per hour, often toward the upper range for couples therapy. Particularly with the added app features and unlimited messaging option, a ReGain subscription is within the expected price range for couples therapy in the U.S. 

Does ReGain Take Insurance?

No, ReGain doesn’t accept insurance. Instead, all therapy seekers pay out-of-pocket for a subscription plan that includes one weekly live session. 

However, this isn’t unusual for a company focused on couples therapy. Most insurance providers don’t reimburse for marital or relationship therapy, so even if BetterHelp-owned companies did accept insurance, it is very likely that ReGain’s services wouldn’t be covered.

Does ReGain Offer Discounts?

If you meet certain financial criteria, you may be eligible for an income-based scholarship at ReGain. You can apply during the sign-up process by noting that you are concerned about being able to pay for couples therapy.

Verywell Mind users can access a 20% discount for ReGain by applying the promo code.

Navigating the ReGain Website 

The ReGain homepage is simple and straightforward, with the company name at the top followed by a flashing series of words like “affection,” “joy,” “intimacy,” and “companionship.” Beneath this, the homepage reads: “Serious about saving or improving your relationship? Get professional therapy from a licensed therapist,” with the “Get started” button below. 

At the bottom of the homepage, you can find sections for ReGain’s Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, Cookie Settings, and Web Accessibility. 

At the top, you can click through to “Advice” to find free relationship resources, as well as “Reviews” (reviews from satisfied customers), “Contact” (customer service information), and the FAQ page. 

ReGain’s website is exceptionally user-friendly and easily accessible, even if it is a little more barebones compared to other therapy websites we reviewed. The site doesn’t have a blog, as many of its competitors do, and it does make you agree to its cookie policy when you first arrive on the page. Our editors also discovered that the answers to certain FAQ questions—such as pricing—vary based on where you live because the site uses geotagging. 

Like me, 66% of the users we surveyed found the ReGain website easy or very easy to navigate. Another 32% of users found the website neither easy nor difficult to navigate, leaving just 2% of customers who found it difficult to use. 

Does ReGain Have an App?

Yes, ReGain has an app that you can download through Google Play or the Apple Store. After signing up for the service, you’ll be asked to enter a 4-digit pin each time you use the app. 

ReGain’s app is just as easy to navigate as the company’s website. However, it’s worth noting that one or two minor features on the ReGain app—such as the “Video Session Test” feature, which allows you to test the video and audio before a live session—are not available on Android, so I wasn’t able to test them. It is a shame that the company hasn’t prioritized giving Android users the same app experience as iOS users. 

How Do You Sign Up for Therapy at ReGain?

After clicking “Get Started,” I began the ReGain sign-up process by completing an in-depth questionnaire. 

Over a series of questions, I was asked to enter personal information, such as: 

• Age
• Relationship status
• Whether I lived with my partner or not
• Gender
• Sexual orientation
• Location (country and state)
• Financial situation
• My reason for seeking therapy
• My preferred therapist’s expertise and specialties 
• Contact info for my partner 

After completing the questionnaire, I was greeted with a welcome screen that described the process of matching me with a therapist and the weekly prices I could expect as part of my subscription plan. 

Then, I provided a payment method before proceeding to the platform. 

I signed up for ReGain first and then “asked” the platform to invite my husband to sign up during the registration process. You can also choose to invite your partner to join the app at a later time.

The process of signing up for ReGain was in-depth but easy and user-friendly. The users we surveyed agreed, with 55% of customers finding the process easy or very easy and no users describing the process as difficult or very difficult. I felt the questions asked were relevant and thoughtful. 

However, I wished that I had been given more information about the subscription prices and available therapists before completing the questionnaire. Other companies we reviewed, such as Brightside, are more forthcoming about their pricing. 

Matching With a Therapist at ReGain 

ReGain’s algorithm matches you with a therapist based on criteria like background and mutual preferences. You can’t see any therapists’ bios before you complete the sign-up and matching process, which may be frustrating for some users, especially since many other therapy companies we reviewed let you either see this information ahead of time or pick your own therapist. 

To match with a therapist at ReGain, my husband and I were asked about our preferences in terms of our provider’s specialties and expertise. For example, we were asked if we preferred a therapist with experience in any or all of the following areas:

• Stress, depression, or anxiety
• Family or relationship conflicts
• Trauma and abuse
• Career concerns
• Grief and loss
• LGBT-related issues 
• Dealing with addiction
• Bipolar disorder
• Professional coaching
• Anger management
• Sexual issues
• Eating disorders
• Sleeping disorders
• Self-esteem and confidence

We were also asked to enter our reason for seeking therapy as a couple, such as:

• Improving communication
• Overcoming cheating
• Preventing divorce or a breakup
• Equalizing our workload
• Understanding each other better
• Resolving conflicts
• Reducing tension

There was an additional section where we could fill out free-form answers if our issues didn’t fit any of the provided categories, which was a nice touch. 

After completing the questionnaire, we were matched with a therapist and entered a private portal where we could message her anytime. Usually, you’re matched with a provider within 48 hours, but we were matched within less than 24 hours.

How Do Therapy Sessions Work at ReGain?

As noted above, therapy sessions at ReGain take place via live video or audio, but your ReGain subscription also includes unlimited messaging with your therapist in between your weekly sessions. 

Messaging Your Therapist

As soon as you pay for a ReGain subscription, you can access the private portal (a “session room”) via the website or app. In the portal, you or your partner can message your therapist anytime, 24/7. Our therapist sent us a welcome message and information about her availability right away. 

Your therapist will respond to you within 24 hours, although we often received messages earlier. It’s possible to mark your messages as “urgent,” but there’s no guarantee that your therapist will respond right away. 

Before we could meet with the therapist we were matched with, I had to sign an informed consent form acknowledging that ReGain is not meant to be used for emergency services. I agreed to contact 988 or visit an emergency room for an urgent matter. 

You can use the messaging portal to talk about more serious relationship issues in between sessions, to send completed worksheets and assignments to your provider, and/or to discuss logistics (like scheduling and availability). I received a notification email every time our therapist replied to us, so there was no chance of missing a message in the app. If you think a particular message is important, you can “star” it in order to save it—your therapist won’t know which messages you saved. 

Couples Therapy Sessions

After being matched with a therapist, you can schedule your first couples therapy session. Just head to the scheduling calendar and sign up for an available time with your provider. You’ll receive a confirmation email after you set up your first appointment. 

Under “My Account” in the ReGain app, you can opt into or out of email and text reminders before your session. I opted in and received reminders 24 hours, half an hour, and just before our appointment. 

When it’s time for your session, enter the private “session room” within the app to begin your video or audio session. My husband and I did this together, but it’s also possible to do it when you’re not physically in the same room. 

Our therapist was warm, inviting, and professional. She was clearly well-versed in both relationship counseling and online therapy. The video and sound were high-quality, without technical glitches or distractions in the background. We jumped right into our session with a clear plan moving forward, and she sent us a worksheet to complete at the end through the private portal. 

I only wished our therapist had had more availability, as her time was limited and she wasn’t able to reschedule appointments easily. However, we later switched therapists (more on that process below) and our second therapist had a more flexible schedule, which worked better for us. Because it’s easy to switch therapists at ReGain, this didn’t pose too much of a problem. And if you were matched with a therapist with similar availability issues, you’d be able to easily change to someone else too. 

One possible drawback is that couples therapy sessions at ReGain are relatively short—typically just 45 minutes for the first session and 30 minutes after that. This didn’t bother us, as we had filled out a lot of the information we wanted to discuss before our first session. However, couples who prefer a longer, in-depth conversation may find the short format frustrating. You also can’t schedule two sessions back to back on the ReGain platform. 

In-person couples therapy is also often traditionally longer than 45 minutes (if your therapist uses the Gottman Method, for example, sessions are usually 90 minutes).

What Happens If I Miss a Session at ReGain?

Every therapist at ReGain has their own policy around missed, rescheduled, or canceled appointments. Typically, you can schedule another appointment within the week if you miss one, as a weekly live session is included in your subscription. If your therapist doesn’t have availability in a given week, however, you may need to switch therapists or schedule for the following week. 

If you’re a no-show for your session or do not cancel 24 hours before your appointment time, the ReGain app notes that you may be charged a $15 fee.

Switching Therapists at ReGain

You can change your therapist at ReGain easily at any time during your subscription. 

In the app, I just tapped “Change Therapist” button to begin the process. I received a notification that it could take 24 to 48 hours to connect with a new therapist, as well as a warning that all of our prior messages with our current therapist would be deleted. While this is most likely done for security and privacy purposes, some users may want to save their prior communication before switching providers. 

I was also asked to rate my current therapist out of 10 and to complete a survey about how satisfied I was with their care.

Then, my husband and I could pick from a variety of preferred characteristics for our next therapist: male or female, Christian, LGBTQ+, older (45+), non-religious, Spanish-speaking, or a therapist of color. 

From there, we could read therapists’ bios and view their schedules in a list of top matches. After we chose a new therapist, we entered a private portal and were able to message with them and schedule a new session right away. Overall, the process was simple, quick, and painless. 

Among the ReGain users we surveyed, 65% said they switched therapists at least once. Fifty-five percent of users said that it took a few days to switch therapists, while 28% said it took a week and 17% said the process took less than a day. 

Pausing or Canceling Therapy at ReGain

Canceling your ReGain subscription is a straightforward process. 

I canceled my subscription by going to “Payment Settings” under “My Account” and then tapping “Change Membership/Cancel Membership” in the app. After that, I had the option to change my chosen subscription plan or cancel my membership. When I tapped “Cancel,” I received a list of the benefits of my ReGain subscription and had one last chance to renew my membership before I hit the final “Cancel Membership” button.

While you can cancel your ReGain membership any time, you can’t get a refund for the remainder of the payment period.

Quality of Care and User Satisfaction

Our user survey found that customers were particularly satisfied with the quality, expertise, and diversity of the available mental health providers at ReGain. Eighty-eight percent of ReGain users said they would rate the available therapists’ qualifications as excellent, good, or very good. Likewise, 80% of users reported that they thought the diversity of available mental health providers was good to excellent. 

Similarly, I thought that ReGain’s therapists were especially impressive in comparison to those on other online therapy platforms. When we switched therapists, we were able to browse through a list of available mental health providers and read their in-depth bios. Their bios were thorough, detailing not only their educational background and clinical qualifications but also their experience in working to resolve specific kinds of relationship issues across a variety of therapeutic modalities. 

I also agreed with the users in our survey that the company seemed particularly culturally sensitive and aware. We were able to request a therapist of any gender, a therapist of color, a Christian therapist, or a therapist in the LBGTQ+ community. Options were also available for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples, and the matching questionnaire asked about gender identity, religion, and sexual orientation.

Privacy Policies at ReGain

ReGain links to the company’s Privacy Policy in the FAQ section on the homepage. The FAQ section on privacy reads in part, “We take your privacy and confidentiality seriously. We have built state-of-the-art technology, operations, and infrastructure with the goal of protecting your privacy and safeguarding the information you provide.”

The FAQ page goes on to state that what you tell your therapist through the platform is confidential (except for being shared with your partner), that all messages between you are secured and encrypted, and that you can remove messages you’ve already sent to your mental health provider with the “Remove Message” button. The website also states that you can request an authorization form from your therapist if any of your information needs to be sent to a third party.

However, the Privacy Policy also notes that your information may be disclosed for “business purposes,” whether as necessary to complete therapy (i.e., sharing your information with a counselor so they can contact you through the platform) or to certain “vendors and service providers,” such as data hosting partners. ReGain may also share your information from time to time with affiliates within its parent corporate group. 

Finally, the Privacy Policy doesn’t confirm that ReGain’s services are compliant with HIPAA, a federal law protecting personal health information. This is a big area of concern for many users and may be a reason to seek therapy elsewhere if you want more protection. 

ReGain vs. Its Competitors

ReGain has some distinct advantages and a few notable drawbacks in comparison to other services that offer couples therapy, such as Couples Therapy Inc.

Couples Therapy Inc. is a significantly smaller platform than ReGain, with just over 30 therapists offering specialized couples therapy via online or in-person immersive retreats or video sessions spaced out over time. While Couples Therapy Inc. is available in Ireland, Canada, and Australia as well as the U.S., it’s not available in all 50 U.S. states (unlike ReGain). 

ReGain is a better option than Couples Therapy Inc. if you and your partner have a busy schedule and can’t commit to in-person therapy. It’s also a better option if you’d like to be matched with a mental health provider. ReGain matches you with a therapist through a detailed questionnaire, while Couples Therapy Inc. customers pick their therapist from a provided list of choices. However, Couples Therapy Inc. may appeal to customers who want longer sessions; its are typically at least 50 minutes long.

Our survey found that, in terms of overall quality, value, and pricing, the two companies were comparable. Sixty-one percent of ReGain users and 60% of Couples Therapy Inc. users rated the platform as affordable or very affordable. Meanwhile, 82% percent of Couples Therapy Inc. users and 80% of ReGain users felt that their therapist met most or all of their needs.

However, the users we surveyed reported that ReGain was somewhat more user-friendly and transparent than Couples Therapy Inc., with just 32% of Couples Therapy Inc. customers rating the sign-up process as “very easy” in comparison to 55% of ReGain customers. Similarly, 98% of ReGain users felt they “completely” or “more or less” understood the platform’s terms of service before signing up, as opposed to 89% of Couples Therapy Inc. users.

When we asked ReGain users that had tried other online therapy services how they felt it compared to others, 84% said they thought it was much better, better, or a little better, which was a bit below the average (86%) that said the same across all 55 companies we reviewed. However, when we asked them to elaborate, 41% said ReGain had an easier to use website and app and another 41% said the therapists had better qualifications and specialized training, which is how we felt as well.

Final Verdict

ReGain is a high-quality online therapy platform that may be a great option if you’re looking specifically for couples therapy. 

Our user survey found that most ReGain users were satisfied with the quality of care they received. Overall, 78% of users rated ReGain as good, very good, or excellent. Meanwhile, 72% percent of users were satisfied with the therapist options they had to choose from. 

The company’s focus on couples therapy makes it stand out among the competition, in addition to the platform’s wide network of licensed therapists, user-friendly app, and in-depth therapist matching questionnaire. However, another service may be a better choice for you if you’re hoping for longer live counseling sessions or a wider variety of subscription plans. 

Methodology

To fairly and accurately review the best online therapy programs, we sent questionnaires to 55 companies and surveyed 105 current users of each. This allowed us to directly compare services offered by gathering qualitative and quantitative data about each company and its users’ experiences.

Specifically, we evaluated each company on the following factors: website usability, the sign-up and therapist matching processes, therapist qualifications, types of therapy offered, the service's quality of care, client-therapist communication options, session length, subscription offerings, client privacy protections, average cost and value for money, whether it accepts insurance, how easy it is to change therapists, overall user satisfaction, and the likelihood that clients would recommend them. We also signed up for the companies in order to get a sense of how this process worked, how easy to use the platform is, and how therapy takes place at the company.