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Best Therapists And Counselors in Aliso Viejo, CA (2026)

680 therapists and counselors ranked by RP ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →

The short answer

  1. 1

    Best overall in Aliso Viejo: DOT SAP COUNSELING, RP Score 81/100; 5.0★ from 84 Google reviews; open 7 days a week.

  2. 26

    Most-reviewed: Alter Behavioral Health, 151 Google reviews at 4.8★, the most of 680 ranked; ranked #26.

Rankings can't be bought. Psychologists can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank

680 Aliso Viejo therapists and counselors are ranked here by RP Score, from eight published factors. 293 open Saturdays and 186 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 5.0★ across 680 rated practices.

Top 10 therapists and counselors in Aliso Viejo 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.

Top 10 therapists and counselors in Aliso Viejo at a glance
RankBusinessRP ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursBest for
1DOT SAP COUNSELING815.0★ (84)Aliso ViejoSat · Sun · EveningsOverall
2Halal Love Journey795.0★ (7)Aliso ViejoSat · Sun · Evenings—
3Crystal Cove Recovery784.9★ (133)Laguna Beach, 3 mi awaySat · Sun · Evenings—
4Nu Dai Wellness775.0★ (76)Mission Viejo, 4 mi awaySat · Sun · Evenings—
5Compassion Recovery Centers - IOP and PHP Programs in California764.9★ (63)Laguna Hills, 4 mi awaySat · Sun · Evenings—
6Ocean Ridge Treatment & Recovery Laguna Hills765.0★ (21)Laguna Hills, 3 mi awaySat · Sun · Evenings—
7SoCal Empowered764.8★ (120)Lake Forest, 5 mi awaySat · Sun · Evenings—
8Laguna Shores Mental Health764.5★ (8)Laguna Niguel, 3 mi awaySat · Sun · Evenings—
9Hightide mental health765.0★ (10)Laguna Beach, 3 mi awaySat · Sun · Evenings—
10Exist Centers (PHP & IOP Programs)754.6★ (14)Laguna Beach, 3 mi awaySat · Sun · Evenings—

The 680 best therapists and counselors in Aliso Viejo, 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.

Scores below: based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected. Hatched segments mark factors we don't have yet.

  4. #4 Nu Dai Wellness

    Based in Mission Viejo, 4 mi away

    77/100RP Score

    Ranked #4 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 5.0★ from 76 Google reviews.

    • 5.0★ from 76 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 12 AM–12 AM
    Address
    26821 Estanciero Dr, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
    View profile for Nu Dai Wellness(949) 787-2556

  7. #7 SoCal Empowered

    Based in Lake Forest, 5 mi away

    76/100RP Score

    Ranked #7 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 4.8★ from 120 Google reviews.

    • 4.8★ from 120 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 12 AM–12 AM
    Address
    22602 Costa Bella Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630
    View profile for SoCal Empowered(844) 735-3034

  12. #12 CarePossible

    Based in Laguna Niguel, 3 mi away

    75/100RP Score

    Ranked #12 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Counselor”, 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews.

    • 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 12 AM–12 AM
    Address
    28202 Cabot Rd #300, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
    View profile for CarePossible(949) 303-8264

  24. #24 Mission Connection

    Based in San Juan Capistrano, 5 mi away

    74/100RP Score

    Ranked #24 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 4.4★ from 16 Google reviews.

    • 4.4★ from 16 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 12 AM–12 AM
    Address
    30300 Rancho Viejo Rd Ste A, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
    View profile for Mission Connection(855) 970-2320

Therapists and counselors 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 680 ranked therapists and counselors here; the rest are on their profiles.

therapists and counselors in Aliso Viejo, ranks 26 to 50
RankBusinessRP ScoreGoogle ratingDistance
26Alter Behavioral Health744.8★ (151)7 mi
27Zoe Behavioral Health744.8★ (137)4 mi
28Able2Change Mental Health & Depression Treatment Center745.0★ (21)6 mi
29Alter Behavioral Health - Dana Point744.8★ (76)7 mi
30Relationship and Marriage Coach, Life Purpose Coach: Elena Vit745.0★ (31)In Aliso Viejo
31Next Step Intervention745.0★ (34)6 mi
32Echo Ridge Wellness: Virtual IOP Orange County745.0★ (20)3 mi
33Alter Behavioral Health - Laguna Beach745.0★ (3)4 mi
34First Light Recovery744.5★ (72)6 mi
35Reverend Kathleen Shannon735.0★ (17)3 mi
36Behavior Advocacy LLC735.0★ (6)In Aliso Viejo
37BrightPath Mental Health734.2★ (5)5 mi
38OC Revive Mental Health Treatment734.1★ (14)5 mi
39Ocean Ridge Treatment & Recovery735.0★ (105)8 mi
40Laguna Shores Recovery734.9★ (55)7 mi
41Blueprint Behavioral Health735.0★ (3)5 mi
42Love Is A Verb Counseling735.0★ (4)In Aliso Viejo
43Graywood Wellness735.0★ (5)5 mi
44Alter Behavioral Health - Capo Beach735.0★ (39)7 mi
45Kim Quickel Ms Mfcc734.3★ (10)3 mi
46Alter Behavioral Health - San Juan Capistrano735.0★ (32)7 mi
47Teach Train Transform735.0★ (8)6 mi
48Laguna Beach Counseling734.6★ (9)3 mi
49Your Love Story Expert735.0★ (34)In Aliso Viejo
50Carol R. Hughes, Ph.D., L.M.F.T725.0★ (3)3 mi

Also serving Aliso Viejo

20 more therapists and counselors within 15 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a specialty we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.

Unranked therapists and counselors serving Aliso Viejo
BusinessGoogle ratingDistance
Andia Turner, MD5.0★ (1)In Aliso Viejo
Barry Slone, Ph.D. | SOLUTION-DRIVEN CHANGE4.8★ (86)In Aliso Viejo
Chau Ton-That Do3.8★ (4)In Aliso Viejo
Clarissa Doi, MD5.0★ (5)In Aliso Viejo
Collective Centre of Psychology, Inc.5.0★ (1)In Aliso Viejo
Dimple Kaur (PhD, RSDE, CHt)5.0★ (2)In Aliso Viejo
Dr. Isaac Taitz, PhD5.0★ (1)In Aliso Viejo
Holistic Therapy & Coaching | Stephanie Lanphier LMFT5.0★ (1)In Aliso Viejo
Journey to Peace Therapy, Inc.5.0★ (1)In Aliso Viejo
Julianne Flora-Tostado, PhD PSY103215.0★ (1)In Aliso Viejo
KZ Wellness Co.5.0★ (1)In Aliso Viejo
Life Map Therapy1.0★ (1)In Aliso Viejo
MaryAnn Samuel, PsyD5.0★ (1)In Aliso Viejo
Melissa Wright, LMFTIn Aliso Viejo
Oceans for Individual, Marriage and Family Counseling5.0★ (1)In Aliso Viejo
Pratik U. Patel Psy. D.5.0★ (1)In Aliso Viejo
Result Psychiatry and Mental Health: Ladan Hariri, MD5.0★ (2)In Aliso Viejo
Ryan Laura A5.0★ (2)In Aliso Viejo
Stephen M. Guidi, MFT5.0★ (1)In Aliso Viejo
Therapy By Dawn3.0★ (2)In Aliso Viejo

How we ranked Aliso Viejo therapists and counselors

We scored 680 Aliso Viejo therapists and counselors 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.

Read the full method: formula, sources and exclusions

RP Score factors and weights
FactorWeightComputed fromIn Aliso Viejo data
Reputation25%Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back itMeasured
Review volume5%Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed practice on the listMeasured
Recency5%Share of Google reviews from the last 12 monthsNot yet collected
Availability10%Weekly open hours, Saturday, Sunday, and round-the-clock or same-day availabilityMeasured
Specialty focus25%How clearly the practice does this specialty (its Google category and name)Measured
Proximity15%Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it isMeasured
Claimed profile10%The practice has claimed its Ranked Psychologists profile (free or paid earn the same)Measured
Partnered5%The practice links to Ranked Psychologists from its own website with our badge, checked periodicallyMeasured

How to choose a therapist

  1. Check the license with the state or provincial board that issued it; most boards publish a free online lookup.
  2. Make sure they regularly work with clients who have your concern, and ask what approach they use and why.
  3. Check which license they hold (for example LPC, LCSW, LMFT or RP) and look it up with the board or college that issued it.
  4. 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.
  5. Check practical fit: in-person or online sessions, evening times, and how soon they have an opening.
  6. After a few sessions, ask yourself whether you feel heard. Changing to a different provider is common and fine.

Questions to ask a therapist

  • Are you accepting new clients, and how soon could I start?
  • Which license do you hold, and in which state or province?
  • How often do you work with concerns like mine?
  • Which license do you hold, and in which state or province?
  • 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.

Therapists and counselors in Aliso Viejo: frequently asked questions

Who is the best therapist in Aliso Viejo?

By RP Score, the highest-ranked therapist in Aliso Viejo, CA is DOT SAP COUNSELING with an RP Score of 81/100. It has 5.0★ from 84 Google reviews. It is open 7 days a week. Halal Love Journey (#2) and Crystal Cove Recovery (#3) follow. We ranked 680 therapists and counselors on eight factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many therapists and counselors are there in Aliso Viejo?

RankedPsychologists ranks 680 therapists and counselors serving Aliso Viejo, CA. 6 of them are based in Aliso Viejo; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 20 within 15 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 therapists and counselors in Aliso Viejo work on weekends?

293 of 680 ranked therapists and counselors post Saturday hours and 186 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are DOT SAP COUNSELING (#1), Halal Love Journey (#2) and Crystal Cove Recovery (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many practices also offer evening or online sessions by appointment.

What Google rating do Aliso Viejo therapists and counselors have?

The median Google rating among 680 rated therapists and counselors in Aliso Viejo is 5.0★, with a median of 9 reviews. Alter Behavioral Health has the most, 151 reviews, and ranks #26. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.

How does RankedPsychologists rank therapists and counselors?

Each 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 therapists and counselors outside Aliso Viejo count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 15 mi of the Aliso Viejo city center, our service radius for therapists and counselors. 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 therapists and counselors 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 therapists and counselors in Aliso Viejo ranked?

Each practice gets an RP Score from 0 to 100 from 8 published factors, including its Google rating, how clearly it focuses on therapy and counseling and how close it is. Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank. The score does not measure treatment outcomes.

Is a licensed counselor the same as a psychologist?

No. Licensed professional counselors, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists and, in Ontario, registered psychotherapists hold their own licenses and answer to their own boards or colleges. They provide talk therapy for many of the same concerns; formal psychological testing is usually done by a psychologist.

Can I see a 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 Aliso Viejo

  1. November 2026: RP Scores recalculated for 680 therapists and counselors serving Aliso Viejo.

More therapists and counselors and Aliso Viejo pages