Where to Find Affordable Therapy in the Philippines (Online & In-Person)
Saya Team
Mental Health Team
In this article
In this Article
A practical, honest guide to therapy pricing in the Philippines — from ₱50 public clinics to ₱3,500+ private sessions — so you can find what fits your budget and your needs.
Accessing therapy in the Philippines can feel confusing, expensive, or intimidating. But today, more options exist than ever before — online platforms, public clinics, university programs, and telehealth memberships. The challenge isn't a lack of options; it's knowing which ones are legitimate, what they actually cost, and which format works for your situation.
This guide covers the major therapy platforms and resources available to Filipinos in 2026, with real pricing, honest pros and cons, and a side-by-side comparison to help you decide. For more context on your mental health, you can also explore our free mental health assessments.
💬 Why Affordability Matters
Therapy is one of the most powerful forms of self-care — but for many Filipinos, it still feels like a luxury. Most private platforms charge ₱2,000 or more per session, which adds up quickly if you're attending weekly or biweekly.
Affordability isn't just about the sticker price — it's about sustainability. If you can't keep attending regularly, the benefits are harder to maintain. That's why understanding all your options — from budget-friendly public clinics to the most competitively priced private platforms — matters so much.
Saya
₱1,300 (counselor) / ₱1,750 (psychologist) per 50-min session • Online only
Saya is a mental health platform built specifically for Filipinos, offering flat-rate online therapy at some of the lowest prices among private platforms. Before your first session, you complete a comprehensive compatibility assessment that matches you with a psychologist or counselor based on your needs, preferences, and therapeutic goals.
Flat pricing — ₱1,750 for psychologists and ₱1,300 for counselors. No surprise fees. Among the most affordable private therapy rates in the Philippines.
Compatibility matching — A detailed assessment pairs you with therapists who fit your personality, concerns, and communication style.
Between-session messaging — Check in with your therapist between sessions when something comes up, included at no extra cost.
👍 Pros
- •Most affordable private online therapy platform (flat ₱1,300–₱1,750)
- •Compatibility assessment for better therapist matches
- •Messaging included between sessions
- •All therapists are PRC-licensed
⚠️ Cons
- •Online only — no in-person sessions
- •Smaller therapist roster compared to marketplace platforms
🧠 Empath
₱2,000+ per psychologist session • Online
Empath is an online mental health platform with a strong community focus and organizational partnerships. They work with companies and schools to provide mental health support, and also offer individual therapy sessions with licensed professionals.
👍 Pros
- •Strong organizational and corporate partnerships
- •Community-oriented approach to mental health
- •Licensed professionals
⚠️ Cons
- •Psychologist sessions start at ₱2,000+ — significantly more expensive than other platforms
- •More focused on organizational clients than individual users
📋 NowServing
₱1,500–₱3,500+ per session (varies by practitioner) • Online
NowServing is a healthcare marketplace that connects patients with doctors and mental health professionals. With 170+ practitioners listed, it offers one of the widest selections of psychologists and psychiatrists in the Philippines. However, it operates as a booking platform — each practitioner sets their own rates, so pricing varies widely.
👍 Pros
- •Large directory — 170+ mental health professionals
- •Includes psychiatrists (for medication management)
- •Established platform with broad healthcare coverage
⚠️ Cons
- •Pricing varies widely — many practitioners charge ₱2,500–₱3,500+
- •No therapist matching — you browse and pick on your own
- •Marketplace model means less continuity focus
🏢 BetterSteps Psychology
₱2,000–₱3,000+ per session • In-person (Pasig) & Online
BetterSteps is a clinic-based psychology practice in Pasig that offers in-person and some online sessions. They specialize in marriage and family therapy and have a notable low-cost program called FIRST STEP for individuals who qualify based on financial need.
👍 Pros
- •In-person sessions available (for those who prefer face-to-face)
- •FIRST STEP program offers subsidized rates for qualifying clients
- •Marriage and family therapy specialization
⚠️ Cons
- •Standard rates at ₱2,000–₱3,000+ are on the higher end
- •Physical clinic limited to Pasig — not accessible for most Filipinos
- •FIRST STEP slots are limited
📱 KonsultaMD
₱899/year membership • Telehealth (primarily general healthcare)
KonsultaMD is a telehealth platform offering 24/7 access to doctors for a low annual membership fee. While they do offer some mental health teleconsults, their primary focus is general healthcare — coughs, fevers, prescriptions. It's not a dedicated therapy platform.
👍 Pros
- •Very low annual membership fee
- •24/7 access to general health consultations
- •Good for quick general health questions
⚠️ Cons
- •Not a therapy platform — mental health support is very limited
- •No licensed psychologists or counselors for ongoing therapy
- •Teleconsults are brief, not structured therapy sessions
🔄 RecoveryHub
₱1,800–₱2,500+ per session • Online
RecoveryHub is a newer online mental health platform offering consultations with licensed professionals. While it provides a convenient online booking experience, session rates tend to be in the ₱1,800–₱2,500+ range — higher than some alternatives.
👍 Pros
- •Online platform — accessible from anywhere
- •Straightforward booking process
⚠️ Cons
- •Sessions at ₱1,800–₱2,500+ are above average for online therapy
- •Newer platform — smaller practitioner network
- •Limited information on matching or continuity features
🏥 Public Clinics & Hospitals (NCMH, PMHA)
₱50–₱200 per session • In-person only
Government-affiliated clinics like the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) and the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) offer the cheapest therapy and psychiatric services in the country. These are ideal if budget is your primary concern and you're comfortable navigating the public health system.
👍 Pros
- •Extremely affordable — as low as ₱50 per session
- •Offers both therapy and psychiatric services
- •Government-funded and established
⚠️ Cons
- •Long wait times — weeks or months for an appointment
- •In-person only — requires travel to specific locations
- •Less privacy and comfort compared to private options
🎓 University-Based Clinics
Free–₱500 per session • In-person only • Limited availability
Some universities with psychology departments offer therapy through their training clinics, where supervised graduate students or clinical interns provide care. These are very affordable and can be great for students or young adults, but slots fill up fast and availability is seasonal.
👍 Pros
- •Very affordable — often free or under ₱500
- •Supervised by licensed clinical psychologists
- •Good for mild to moderate concerns
⚠️ Cons
- •Very limited slots — not available year-round
- •Therapists are trainees, not yet fully licensed
- •Usually in-person only, on campus
📊 Side-by-Side Comparison
| Platform | Price Range | Format | Matching | Messaging |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saya | ₱1,300–₱1,750 | Online | ✅ Compatibility assessment | ✅ Included |
| Empath | ₱2,000+ | Online | ❌ | — |
| NowServing | ₱1,500–₱3,500+ | Online | ❌ Browse & pick | — |
| BetterSteps | ₱2,000–₱3,000+ | In-person & Online | ❌ | — |
| KonsultaMD | ₱899/year | Telehealth | ❌ | — |
| RecoveryHub | ₱1,800–₱2,500+ | Online | ❌ | — |
| Public Clinics | ₱50–₱200 | In-person | ❌ | ❌ |
| University Clinics | Free–₱500 | In-person | ❌ | ❌ |
* Pricing is based on publicly available information as of February 2026. Rates may vary.
🧭 Choosing What Works for You
There's no single "best" option — it depends on your budget, preferences, and what you need from therapy:
Tightest budget? Start with public clinics (NCMH, PMHA) or university clinics. They're the cheapest, but expect wait times.
Want affordable private therapy online? Saya offers the lowest flat rates among private platforms at ₱1,300–₱1,750, with therapist matching and messaging included.
Want the widest selection? NowServing has the largest directory, but be prepared for higher and variable pricing.
Prefer in-person? BetterSteps offers face-to-face sessions in Pasig, and public clinics are available in many cities.
Need general health + mental health? KonsultaMD is affordable for general teleconsults, but it's not a substitute for structured therapy.
The most important step is starting. Whether it's a ₱50 public clinic visit or a private online session, getting professional support is always worth it. For a quick check-in on how you're feeling, try our free mental health assessments.
Not sure where to start?
Describe how you're feeling and we'll match you with the right therapist.
You can also type in Tagalog or Taglish — e.g. "Lagi akong malungkot" or "I feel anxious lagi"
Frequently Asked Questions
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