June 18, 2026
Laden...
Laden...
When people first hear about online relationship therapy, the initial reaction is often skeptical. "Will that really work? Isn't it too impersonal? Can you really feel a connection through a screen?" These are understandable questions, and fortunately, science now has clear answers.
Multiple meta-analyses compare the outcomes of online psychotherapy with face-to-face therapy. The conclusion is consistent: there is no significant difference in effectiveness. This applies to cognitive behavioral therapy, but also specifically to relationship-focused work.
Research on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the approach central to Praktijk de Liefde, shows that the therapeutic alliance (the working relationship between therapist and client) can be just as strong online as in person. And the working alliance is the strongest predictor of therapy success.
A study published in the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy found that couples who received online therapy reported improvements in relationship satisfaction, communication and intimacy that were just as significant as couples who were treated in person.
You don't need to get in the car together or travel by train. You each sit at home or at the office, and the session starts exactly on time. For busy couples, this is a significant relief.
Some couples experience being at home during the session as an advantage. The environment is safe and familiar, which can promote openness. Moreover, the transition after the session is easier: you're already home.
Do you live in Groningen, Zeeland or a rural municipality? Online therapy makes it possible to access the best relationship therapists in the Netherlands, regardless of where you live.
Because the therapist has no travel time and the session connects directly to the schedule, there are often more time slots available, including sessions early in the morning or later in the evening.
For couples who find it difficult to walk into a practice, online therapy offers a lower-threshold start. You can begin from the privacy of your own home, without neighbors or acquaintances seeing you arrive.
We work with a secure video calling platform that complies with European privacy legislation (AVG/GDPR). You receive a unique link by email for each session, no need to create an account, no software to download.
What you need: a laptop, tablet or smartphone, a stable internet connection, and a quiet place where you can speak undisturbed. Headphones are recommended for extra privacy.
The sessions proceed identically to an on-site session. The therapist sees both of you, you see the therapist and each other. Body language, emotions and non-verbal communication are all visible.
Online therapy is particularly suitable for:
Couples with busy schedules where travel time is a barrier.
Couples who live far from one of our locations.
Couples where one partner is less mobile or works from home.
People who prefer to make initial contact remotely, and possibly switch to an on-site session later.
Couples in separation where going to a location together is too charged.
At Praktijk de Liefde, all clients receive free access to the ReLove app, our own tool for daily check-ins, a conflict diffuser and weekly reflections. Online clients notice that the app provides extra support to therapy: the app keeps the connection alive between sessions, even when you're not in the same location.
A modern browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox) and a stable internet connection of at least 5 Mbps are sufficient. We always send a test link in advance so you can check that everything works.
Yes. We use a GDPR-compliant platform and do not store any video or audio recordings. Sessions are not saved. All communication takes place via encrypted connections.
Absolutely. Some couples start online and switch to a location halfway through the process. Or vice versa. We are flexible and discuss this together with you.
In the unlikely event of a technical problem, we call you back by phone or reschedule the session immediately. We always ensure the session duration is achieved.
Online relationship therapy works. The scientific evidence is clear, the benefits are real, and the technology is mature enough to make the experience equivalent to an on-site session.
Whether you choose online or on-site: the approach, the quality of the therapists and the result are the same. What matters is that you begin.
Do you recognise yourself in this article? Our therapists are ready to help you. Schedule a no-obligation introductory session.
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