The couples therapy app for couples who want the benefits without the $200/hour price tag
Connected is not couples therapy. It is a structured set of therapist-designed tools that help couples do the work between (or before) real therapy sessions — at a fraction of the cost.
Where couples apps fit into actual couples therapy
The average couples therapy session in the US costs $150–$250. Effective therapy typically runs 12–24 sessions. That puts the total somewhere between $2,000 and $6,000 — and that is if you can find a qualified therapist with openings, which in most cities you can't.
Most couples wait an average of six years after a problem starts before seeking therapy. By then, the patterns are deeply set and harder to change. Meanwhile, research-backed tools (the specific exercises, frameworks, and assessments therapists use) have gotten dramatically more accessible via apps.
Connected is designed for three specific use cases: (1) couples who want the benefits of therapy without committing to weekly sessions, (2) couples preparing for therapy who want to walk in with baseline data, and (3) couples in therapy who want structured homework between sessions. It does not replace a licensed therapist for serious issues, but for most couples most of the time, the app does a lot of the work.
Why couples pick Connected
Therapist-designed tools
Every exercise, assessment, and framework in Connected was designed by licensed couples therapists and grounded in Gottman, EFT, and attachment research.
Exportable therapist reports
Generate a PDF of your assessment results, communication patterns, and recent history. Walk into your first session with data a therapist would otherwise take 4-6 weeks to gather.
AI coaching between sessions
Stuck on something during the week? Ask the AI for a grounded, specific response. It will suggest when therapy is appropriate rather than trying to handle it.
A fraction of the cost
At $59.99/year, Connected costs less than one couples therapy session. It is not a replacement for deep work with a therapist, but for most couples most of the time, it does a lot.
Partner directory of therapists
If you decide you do need a therapist, we have a directory of vetted couples therapists who are familiar with Connected.
Privacy-first
Your data is never used for AI training, never sold, and never shared. The exportable report only goes where you explicitly send it.
The therapist-designed features inside Connected
10+ validated couple assessments
Including the CSI-4 relationship satisfaction index, Gottman-based communication assessment, attachment assessment, and conflict style assessment. These are the same instruments many therapists use in session one.
Learn more →Conflict replay + repair toolkit
Structured tools based on Gottman's conflict resolution framework. Identify the pattern, use a soft start-up, make a repair bid.
Learn more →AI coaching with therapy awareness
The AI is trained to recognize when an issue is beyond self-help and suggest a therapist. It will not pretend to handle abuse, addiction, or serious trauma.
Learn more →Therapist-quality exportable reports
Export a PDF of your assessment results, conflict patterns, and weekly check-in trends. Give it to your therapist to compress weeks of intake into one document.
Learn more →48+ therapist-designed exercises
Short activities (5–15 min) for specific issues: appreciation rebuilding, emotional intimacy, conflict de-escalation, trust repair.
Learn more →Find a therapist directory
A vetted list of couples therapists familiar with Connected. When you are ready for in-person (or telehealth) therapy, this is where to start.
Learn more →Connected vs. other options for couples work
There is a spectrum from "just Google it" to "weekly couples therapy for 18 months." Here is where Connected fits and where it does not.
| Connected | In-person couples therapy | Online therapy (BetterHelp/Ours) | Couples retreats | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed therapist | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Research-backed tools | Yes | Yes | Varies | Limited |
| Between-session structure | Yes | Optional | Optional | No |
| Exportable reports | Yes | No | No | No |
| AI coaching | Yes | No | No | Varies |
| Cost per year | $59.99 | $4,000–$10,000 | $1,500–$3,000 | $300–$800 |
| Best for | Most couples most of the time | Serious issues / crisis | Moderate issues + insurance | Short intensives |
Frequently asked questions
Is Connected a substitute for couples therapy?
No. Connected is a research-backed self-help tool, not therapy. For infidelity, abuse, addiction, long-term estrangement, or acute crisis, please see a licensed couples therapist. For most other couples most of the time, Connected is a useful, lower-cost starting point.
When should we see a real therapist instead?
If you are dealing with infidelity, domestic violence, addiction, long-term resentment, or suicidal ideation, please see a licensed therapist. Connected is not designed for any of those. The AI coaching will tell you the same thing if you bring those topics up.
Can we use Connected and also see a therapist?
Yes, and many therapists recommend it. The exportable reports give your therapist data to work with, and the between-session exercises extend what you work on in session. Some therapists have a copy of Connected specifically to assign exercises.
What research is this based on?
Primarily the Gottman Method (40 years of couples research by John and Julie Gottman), attachment theory (Bowlby, Ainsworth, Hazan and Shaver), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (Sue Johnson, 70–75% recovery rate for couples).
Is this like BetterHelp for couples?
No. BetterHelp and Ours provide access to licensed therapists via an app. Connected is a self-directed toolkit, not a therapist-matching service. Different tools for different needs — they can be complementary.
How do the exportable therapist reports work?
In the app, tap Profile > Export Report. You choose what to include (assessments, communication patterns, recent conflicts, weekly check-ins). Connected generates a clean PDF you can email to your therapist or print.
Can Connected help if we are considering divorce?
If you are considering divorce, please start with a licensed couples therapist, not an app. Connected can help you prepare for therapy and articulate your patterns clearly. The Divorce Readiness Quiz is one tool; the rest of the app is designed for couples trying to rebuild, not exit.
How do we find a therapist through Connected?
Connected has a therapist directory at /therapists with licensed couples therapists who are familiar with the app. You can filter by specialty, insurance acceptance, and telehealth availability.
Does insurance cover Connected?
Probably not. Most HSA/FSA plans will cover Connected under mental health self-care; check with your plan administrator. It is not a qualified medical expense under most insurance plans, though.
What is the Gottman Method and why is it everywhere in this app?
The Gottman Method is a set of research-based tools for couples developed over 40 years by Drs. John and Julie Gottman. They observed thousands of couples and identified specific patterns (the Four Horsemen, Sound Relationship House, etc.) that predict which marriages succeed vs. decline. Connected's features translate those findings into daily practice.
Try Connected free today
Download the app, pair with your partner, and get the first 30+ days of research-backed tools at no cost. No credit card required.
Free forever tier · iOS & Android · 4.9 stars from 2,000+ couples