76/100RP Score
Ranked #1 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Best Couples Therapists in Orange, CA (2026)
358 couples therapists ranked by RP ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Best overall in Orange: Candela Peter, RP Score 76/100; 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews.
- 15
Most-reviewed: Dr. Shirin Nooravi, 213 Google reviews at 4.9★, the most of 358 ranked; ranked #15.
Rankings can't be bought. Psychologists can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
358 Orange couples therapists are ranked here by RP Score, from eight published factors. 130 open Saturdays and 47 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 5.0★ across 358 rated practices.
Top 10 couples therapists in Orange at a glance
Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.
| Rank | Business | RP Score | Google rating | Based in | Hours | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Candela Peter | 76 | 5.0★ (3) | Orange | — | Overall |
| 2 | Soul Restoration Project | 74 | 4.7★ (12) | Santa Ana, 3 mi away | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
| 3 | Self Help Orange County | 74 | 5.0★ (54) | Santa Ana, 2 mi away | Sat · Evenings | — |
| 4 | Couple Care - Relationship Counseling Orange County | 74 | 5.0★ (3) | Santa Ana, 2 mi away | Sat · Sun | — |
| 5 | Davis Denise E | 73 | 5.0★ (4) | Tustin, 3 mi away | — | — |
| 6 | Ed Segawa,M.A., LMFT - Award Winning Counselor | 73 | 5.0★ (6) | Yorba Linda, 8 mi away | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
| 7 | Mark Howerton, LMFT | 72 | 4.4★ (5) | Costa Mesa, 8 mi away | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
| 8 | Rosa Izquierdo | 71 | 2.9★ (15) | Tustin, 4 mi away | — | — |
| 9 | Melissa Mellon, M.A., LMFT | 70 | 3.0★ (4) | Santa Ana, 3 mi away | Sat · Evenings | — |
| 10 | Empowered through EMDR Psychotherapy Patricia Bianca Torres LMFT | 70 | 5.0★ (5) | Fullerton, 7 mi away | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
The 358 best couples therapists in Orange, ranked
Ordered by RP Score, a 0–100 score from eight published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.
Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.
Based in Santa Ana, 3 mi away
74/100RP ScoreRanked #2 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 4.7★ from 12 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Ana, 2 mi away
74/100RP ScoreRanked #3 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 5.0★ from 54 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Santa Ana, 2 mi away
74/100RP ScoreRanked #4 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Tustin, 3 mi away
73/100RP ScoreRanked #5 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Yorba Linda, 8 mi away
73/100RP ScoreRanked #6 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 5.0★ from 6 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Costa Mesa, 8 mi away
72/100RP ScoreRanked #7 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 4.4★ from 5 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Tustin, 4 mi away
71/100RP ScoreRanked #8 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 2.9★ from 15 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Santa Ana, 3 mi away
70/100RP ScoreRanked #9 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 3.0★ from 4 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Fullerton, 7 mi away
70/100RP ScoreRanked #10 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Fullerton, 8 mi away
70/100RP ScoreRanked #11 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 4.8★ from 18 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Newport Beach, 9 mi away
70/100RP ScoreRanked #12 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 4.8★ from 21 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Irvine, 9 mi away
70/100RP ScoreRanked #13 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 5.0★ from 16 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Tustin, 4 mi away
70/100RP ScoreRanked #14 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 3.7★ from 6 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Newport Beach, 9 mi away
70/100RP ScoreRanked #15 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 4.9★ from 213 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Irvine, 11 mi away
70/100RP ScoreRanked #16 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 5.0★ from 41 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Newport Beach, 8 mi away
70/100RP ScoreRanked #17 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Orange
70/100RP ScoreRanked #18 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 5.0★ from 8 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Anaheim, 5 mi away
69/100RP ScoreRanked #19 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Fullerton, 8 mi away
69/100RP ScoreRanked #20 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 5.0★ from 64 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
#21 Marriage Matters
Based in Santa Ana, 2 mi away
69/100RP ScoreRanked #21 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 5.0★ from 9 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Fullerton, 8 mi away
69/100RP ScoreRanked #22 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 5.0★ from 97 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Fullerton, 8 mi away
69/100RP ScoreRanked #23 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 4.8★ from 41 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Costa Mesa, 9 mi away
69/100RP ScoreRanked #24 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 4.6★ from 10 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Garden Grove, 11 mi away
69/100RP ScoreRanked #25 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 4.8★ from 20 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Couples therapists ranked #26 to #50
#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #50, in RP Score order; each links to its profile. We publish the top 50 of 358 ranked couples therapists here; the rest are on their profiles.
Also serving Orange
20 more couples therapists within 20 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a specialty we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.
| Business | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Ann E. Goldman, LMFT | 4.0★ (1) | In Orange |
| Brainpower Wellness Institute | 4.9★ (386) | In Orange |
| Brittany Webb | 5.0★ (1) | In Orange |
| Cultura Wellness Therapy | 5.0★ (1) | In Orange |
| Denise Lee Therapy Services | 5.0★ (5) | In Orange |
| Dr. Sue Anne M. Tonkins | 3.9★ (14) | In Orange |
| Frances Smith Center for Individual & Family Therapy | 5.0★ (2) | In Orange |
| Grief & Trauma Healing Network, LLC | 5.0★ (41) | In Orange |
| Joyce L. Parker, LMFT | 5.0★ (1) | In Orange |
| Lindeman, Clancy & Budin | 5.0★ (2) | In Orange |
| Michael D. Hanna, LMFT | 5.0★ (1) | In Orange |
| Montalvo Psychological Services | 3.0★ (2) | In Orange |
| Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists - Orange (Providence) | 4.7★ (146) | In Orange |
| Reframe Counseling | 5.0★ (10) | In Orange |
| Smith David S PhD | 5.0★ (4) | In Orange |
| Space for Grace Therapy | 5.0★ (8) | In Orange |
| Stepping Stones Family Counseling | 5.0★ (2) | In Orange |
| Suzanne M. Riedel, M.S., LMFT | 5.0★ (1) | In Orange |
| Tara M. Richardson, Ph.D. | 5.0★ (1) | In Orange |
| The Center for Restored & Connected Families | 5.0★ (2) | In Orange |
How we ranked Orange couples therapists
We scored 358 Orange couples therapists on eight factors, weighted as shown. A practice is ranked when its specialty is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.
Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Sponsored businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In Orange data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 25% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it | Measured |
| Review volume | 5% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed practice on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 5% | Share of Google reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Availability | 10% | Weekly open hours, Saturday, Sunday, and round-the-clock or same-day availability | Measured |
| Specialty focus | 25% | How clearly the practice does this specialty (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 15% | Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The practice has claimed its Ranked Psychologists profile (free or paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Partnered | 5% | The practice links to Ranked Psychologists from its own website with our badge, checked periodically | Measured |
How to choose a couples therapist
- Check the license with the state or provincial board that issued it; most boards publish a free online lookup.
- Make sure couples and marriage counseling is a regular part of their work, and ask what approach they use and why.
- Ask what training they have in couples work specifically (for example the Gottman Method or Emotionally Focused Therapy).
- Ask about fees, insurance and the cancellation policy before the first session. In the US, if you are uninsured or paying yourself, you can ask for a good faith estimate of expected charges.
- Check practical fit: in-person or online sessions, evening times, and how soon they have an opening.
- After a few sessions, ask yourself whether you feel heard. Changing to a different provider is common and fine.
Questions to ask a couples therapist
- Are you accepting new clients, and how soon could I start?
- Which license do you hold, and in which state or province?
- How much of your work is couples and marriage counseling?
- Do you also see each partner on their own?
- What do you charge per session, and do you take my insurance or provide a superbill?
- Do you offer online sessions?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- What do you keep confidential, and when would you have to share information?
Terms explained
- PhD / PsyD
- Doctoral degrees in psychology. A PhD usually has a stronger research focus, a PsyD a stronger clinical focus; both can lead to a psychologist license.
- Licensed psychologist
- A person licensed by a state or provincial psychology board to practice psychology. The title is protected by law.
- Psychological associate
- In some states and provinces, a master’s-level practitioner licensed or registered by the psychology board, often with supervision requirements.
- LPC / LMHC / LCPC
- US licenses for professional or mental health counselors (the name differs by state). They provide counseling and therapy.
- LCSW
- Licensed clinical social worker: a master’s-level social worker licensed to provide therapy.
- LMFT
- Licensed marriage and family therapist: licensed to treat individuals, couples and families with a focus on relationships.
- RP / RCC
- Registered psychotherapist (Ontario) and registered clinical counsellor (British Columbia): Canadian titles for licensed therapy providers.
- PSYPACT
- An interstate agreement that lets psychologists licensed in a member state provide telepsychology to clients in other member states once they hold the required authorization.
- Telehealth
- Sessions held by secure video or phone instead of in person. The provider generally needs to be licensed where the client is located.
- CBT
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: a structured talk therapy that works on the links between thoughts, feelings and behavior.
- DBT
- Dialectical behavior therapy: a form of CBT that teaches skills for managing intense emotions and relationships.
- ERP
- Exposure and response prevention: a form of CBT used for OCD.
Couples therapists in Orange: frequently asked questions
Who is the best couples therapist in Orange?
By RP Score, the highest-ranked couples therapist in Orange, CA is Candela Peter with an RP Score of 76/100. It has 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews. Soul Restoration Project (#2) and Self Help Orange County (#3) follow. We ranked 358 couples therapists on eight factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many couples therapists are there in Orange?
RankedPsychologists ranks 358 couples therapists serving Orange, CA. 3 of them are based in Orange; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 20 within 20 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
What should I do if I need help right now?
In crisis or thinking about suicide? Call or text 988 (US and Canada), any time. In an emergency, call 911. This site cannot help in an emergency.
Which couples therapists in Orange work on weekends?
130 of 358 ranked couples therapists post Saturday hours and 47 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Soul Restoration Project (#2), Self Help Orange County (#3) and Couple Care - Relationship Counseling Orange County (#4). Posted hours are office hours; many practices also offer evening or online sessions by appointment.
What Google rating do Orange couples therapists have?
The median Google rating among 358 rated couples therapists in Orange is 5.0★, with a median of 8 reviews. Dr. Shirin Nooravi has the most, 213 reviews, and ranks #15. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does RankedPsychologists rank couples therapists?
Each couples therapist gets a 0–100 RP Score from eight published factors, led by reputation (25%), specialty focus (25%), proximity (15%) and availability (10%). A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only practices with a confirmed specialty and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.
Do couples therapists outside Orange count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 20 mi of the Orange city center, our service radius for couples therapists. Each listing shows where the practice is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 15% of the RP Score, so a nearby practice gets a small edge.
Can couples therapists pay to rank higher on RankedPsychologists?
No. The RP Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured practices may appear above the list, labelled Sponsored and showing their honest rank.
How are couples therapists in Orange ranked?
Each practice gets an RP Score from 0 to 100 from 8 published factors, including its Google rating, how clearly it focuses on couples and marriage counseling and how close it is. Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank. The score does not measure treatment outcomes.
Do both partners need to come to couples therapy?
Most couples therapists prefer to see both partners, at least at first, but many will start with one. Ask how they handle individual sessions. If there is violence or fear in the relationship, tell the therapist privately; many do not offer joint sessions in that situation.
Can I see a couples therapist online?
Often, yes. Licensing generally follows where you are during the session, so the provider needs to be licensed or authorized there. In the US, psychologists in PSYPACT member states can offer telepsychology to clients in other member states; counselors and social workers have their own rules. In Canada, ask whether the provider is registered in your province.
What if I need help right now?
Do not wait for a consultation. Call or text 988 (US and Canada) if you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, at any time. In an emergency, call 911.
Update log for Orange
- November 2026: RP Scores recalculated for 358 couples therapists serving Orange.
More couples therapists and Orange pages
Couples therapists near Orange
- Couples therapists in Santa Ana, CA337 ranked
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- Couples therapists in Anaheim, CA335 ranked
- Couples therapists in Garden Grove, CA320 ranked
- Couples therapists in Placentia, CA359 ranked
- Couples therapists in Fullerton, CA331 ranked
- Couples therapists in Yorba Linda, CA359 ranked
- Couples therapists in Fountain Valley, CA329 ranked
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Other specialties in Orange
- Psychologists in Orange363 ranked
- Therapists and counselors in Orange866 ranked
- Child and teen therapists in Orange120 ranked
- Family therapists in Orange294 ranked
- Neuropsychologists in Orange34 ranked
- Psychological testing practices in Orange9 ranked
- Anxiety and OCD therapists in Orange16 ranked
- Trauma and PTSD therapists in Orange69 ranked
- Eating disorder therapists in Orange45 ranked
- Psychiatrists in Orange809 ranked
- Clinical social workers in Orange171 ranked
- Addiction counselors in Orange544 ranked
- ABA therapy providers in Orange106 ranked
- All psychologists in Orange