Who are the best relationship coaches right now? The most famous names are relationship experts like Esther Perel, John and Julie Gottman, and Matthew Hussey. You can learn a lot from their books, podcasts, and workshops, but most don’t take one-on-one clients.
That’s why this list has two parts. First, famous relationship experts to learn from. Then, relationship coaches you can book a session with.
Keep reading to discover:
- 12 of the best relationship coaches and what each one focuses on
- How to choose a relationship coach who fits you
- What relationship coaching typically costs
- How a relationship coach differs from a couples therapist
What does a relationship coach do?
A relationship coach helps you understand your patterns in love and change them. That might mean dating with more confidence, getting over a breakup, or learning to talk through conflict with your partner.
Here’s the thing. A coach isn’t there to diagnose you or dig through your whole past. They focus on where you are now and where you want to go, then help you build the skills to get there.
Some coaches work with singles. Others work with couples, or with people starting over after divorce. Every coach on this list has their own style, so read each one with your own goal in mind.
The 12 best relationship coaches and experts
Famous relationship experts to learn from
1. Esther Perel
Esther Perel is a Belgian psychotherapist and one of the most famous relationship experts working today. Her TED talks on desire (2013) and infidelity (2015) made her known far beyond the therapy world.
She’s the author of Mating in Captivity (2006) and The State of Affairs (2017). Her podcast, Where Should We Begin?, lets you listen in on real couples therapy sessions, and she’s taking a new live show, Strangers, Friends, and Lovers, on tour through 2027.
Her work is a great fit if you want to understand desire, trust, and what keeps long-term love alive.
2. Drs. John and Julie Gottman
John and Julie Schwartz Gottman are psychologists who have studied couples for decades. They co-founded The Gottman Institute in 1996.
John’s book The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work (1999) is a New York Times bestseller and a go-to read for married couples. The Institute runs couples workshops like The Art and Science of Love, both live and online, plus a free relationship quiz.
Of course, no research is perfect. Some researchers have questioned how well John’s early studies could predict divorce. Even so, the Gottmans’ practical tools for handling conflict are used by couples and therapists around the world.
3. Matthew Hussey
Matthew Hussey is a British dating coach and YouTuber whose advice is aimed mostly at women. His first book, Get the Guy (2013), was a New York Times bestseller, and his 2024 book, Love Life, debuted at #3 on the New York Times advice list.
He also hosts the Love Life podcast with his wife, Audrey, and his brother, Stephen. If you want honest, practical dating advice you can use this week, he’s a fun place to start.
4. Dr. Laura Berman
Dr. Laura Berman is a relationship therapist and sex educator. She earned a master’s in clinical social work and a doctorate in health education from NYU, and she hosted In the Bedroom with Dr. Laura Berman on OWN.
Today you’ll find her on her podcast, The Language of Love, which she launched in 2021. She’s also written many books, including Quantum Love (2016) and Sex Magic (2025).
Her work is a good fit if you want to bring more closeness and intimacy into your relationship. (For one-on-one help with that, see what an intimacy coach does.)
5. Terry Real
Terry Real is a family therapist and the founder of Relational Life Therapy, a straight-talking approach to couples work. His most recent book, Us (2022), was a New York Times bestseller with a foreword by Bruce Springsteen.
He’s also known for I Don’t Want to Talk About It (1997), one of the first books on depression in men, and The New Rules of Marriage. If you can’t get to one of his workshops, his online program for couples, Staying in Love, is the easiest way in.
6. Logan Ury
Logan Ury is a behavioral scientist and dating coach. She studied psychology at Harvard, led a behavioral science team at Google, and now works as Director of Relationship Science at the dating app Hinge.
Her book, How to Not Die Alone (2021), uses research on decision-making to help you date smarter. She was also the dating coach on the Netflix series The Later Daters.
7. Dr. Terri Orbuch
Dr. Terri Orbuch, known in the media as The Love Doctor, is a relationship researcher and professor at Oakland University. She leads the Early Years of Marriage study, an NIH-funded project that has followed the same 373 couples since 1986.
She turned that research into two books: 5 Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great and Finding Love Again, for people dating after divorce or a long relationship.
Relationship coaches you can work with
8. Jaime Bronstein, LCSW
Jaime Bronstein is a licensed therapist and relationship coach with more than 20 years of experience. She hosts the Love Talk Live show on LA Talk Radio and wrote MAN*ifesting (2023), a step-by-step guide to attracting the love you want.
She works with singles, daters, couples, and people going through a breakup or divorce. She also runs a group course, Single to Soulmate, and offers a free 15-minute Zoom consult so you can see if you click.
9. Dr. Morgan Anderson
Dr. Morgan Anderson is a clinical psychologist and relationship coach who specializes in attachment theory. Her focus is helping women build self-worth and step off the dating rollercoaster.
Her main offer is the E.S.L. Relationship Program, an 8-week program for women who want secure, healthy relationships. She also hosts the Let’s Get Vulnerable podcast, which has passed 600 episodes.
Want to dip your toes in first? Take her free attachment style quiz on her website.
10. Donna Barnes
Donna Barnes is a New York-based love coach who’s also known for her breakup coaching. She trained as a life and love coach at NYU and has appeared as a relationship expert on TV, including Good Morning America.
She coaches clients by Zoom or phone, with evening and weekend hours. Prefer to go at your own pace? She sells self-paced action plans like Breakup Recovery and My Best Me. You can also read her book, Giving Up Junk-Food Relationships, or watch her Broken to Brave podcast on YouTube.
11. Kelly Brändli
Kelly Brändli helps people find love again after divorce, or after years of being single. She’s Canadian, lives in Switzerland, and went through her own divorce after more than a decade of marriage.
She holds a life coaching certification from the Robbins-Madanes Training Center plus a matchmaking certification. She runs a group program called Dating Mastery Group, and she also hosts events and a podcast.
12. Jiveny Blair-West
Jiveny Blair-West is an Australian dating and attraction coach and the co-founder and head coach of Dating for Love. She co-wrote How to Make the Biggest Decision of Your Life (Hachette Australia) with her father, psychiatrist Dr. George Blair-West.
Her signature course, The Alchemy of Attraction, is a 10-week program on building attraction that lasts. She also coaches women and couples, and her free Attraction Archetypes quiz is a quick way to spot your patterns.
How to choose a relationship coach
The famous names above are great to learn from. But if you want someone in your corner every week, you’ll need a coach you can book. Here’s how to narrow it down:
- Get clear on your goal. Are you single and dating? Trying to get over an ex? Working on things with a partner? Some coaches only work with singles, others focus on couples, so start there.
- Check their training. Coaching isn’t regulated, and no license is required. Look for a coaching certification (like one from the International Coaching Federation), relevant experience, and real client reviews.
- Ask how they work. One-on-one sessions, group programs, and self-paced courses all have a place. Ask how often you’ll meet and what happens between sessions.
- Book a first call. Many coaches offer a free or low-cost intro session. Notice whether you feel heard, not judged.
- Watch for red flags. If a coach guarantees you’ll find “the one” by a certain date, or pushes you to buy a pricey package on the spot, keep looking.
Many relationship coaches let you book a first call online through a platform like Paperbell.
One final tip: if you mostly want help with dating, a dedicated dating coach may be a better fit. Here’s how to find the best dating coach for you.
FAQs about the best relationship coaches
Who is the best relationship coach in the world?
There’s no single best relationship coach for everyone. The best-known names are Esther Perel, John and Julie Gottman, and Matthew Hussey. But the best coach for you is the one who understands your situation and is available to work with you.
Who are the most famous relationship experts?
Some of the most famous relationship experts are Esther Perel, John and Julie Gottman, Matthew Hussey, Dr. Laura Berman, Terry Real, and Logan Ury. Most of them share their advice through books, podcasts, and workshops rather than private sessions.
How much does a relationship coach cost?
It depends on the coach’s experience and how you work together. One industry pricing guide puts relationship coaching at about $75 to $300 per session, with couples sessions usually costing more than individual ones. For a wider view, the International Coaching Federation’s 2023 Global Coaching Study found coaches charged an average of $244 for a one-hour session in 2022. Many coaches also sell packages, which can lower the cost per session. For a closer look at pricing, see how much a dating coach costs.
Is a relationship coach the same as a couples therapist?
No. A couples therapist is a licensed mental health professional who can diagnose and treat conditions like depression or anxiety. A relationship coach focuses on skills and goals, like communication, dating, or rebuilding trust, and doesn’t need a license.
Cost works differently, too. Insurance almost never pays for coaching (here’s more on whether insurance covers life coaching). One cost guide puts couples therapy at about $100 to $250 a session without insurance, and plans usually cover it only when one partner has a diagnosed mental health condition. Check with your plan before you book.
If you’re struggling with your mental health, start with a licensed professional. In the US, you can call or text 988 any time to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. And if you feel unsafe in your relationship, a coach isn’t the right first step. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.
Can I work with a relationship coach online?
The answer is yes. Many relationship coaches, including several on this list, work by video or phone. That means you can pick a coach for their approach, not because they live nearby.
Do relationship coaches work with singles?
Yes, and lots of them focus on singles. Dr. Morgan Anderson, Jaime Bronstein, Kelly Brändli, and Jiveny Blair-West all help single people break old patterns and date with more confidence.
Find the best relationship coach for you
The best relationship coaches on this list can teach you a lot about love. But if you want advice that fits your life, it helps to work with someone one-on-one, someone you trust and click with.
That’s why it pays to compare a few coaches before you commit. On CoachCompare, you can browse relationship coaches, read their profiles, and message the ones you like. It’s free to use! Mostly focused on dating? You can also explore dating coaches.
Find a relationship coach today.
Are you a relationship coach? Paperbell gives you a simple coaching website plus scheduling, payments and contracts in one place, and you can start with a free account. You can also list your coaching on CoachCompare to reach new clients.
This post was originally published on October 19, 2022 and has been updated with new information for accuracy and comprehensiveness.