Saya vs Empath PH: Which Online Therapy Platform Is Best for You in the Philippines?
Saya Team
Mental Health Team
In this Article
🔑 Key Takeaways
Choose Saya if you want: Transparent therapist profiles you can browse before booking, guided matching based on your needs, published flat-rate pricing, and unlimited between-session messaging.
Choose Empath PH if you want: A community-curated mental health organization with clinical services, group programs, and a strong advocacy presence.
The core difference: Saya is a therapy platform built around transparency—you see who your therapist is, what they specialize in, and what you'll pay before you book. Empath PH operates as a mental health organization where you select a service type and are assigned a professional.
If you're comparing online therapy options in the Philippines, Saya and Empath PH likely appear in your search results. Both serve Filipinos seeking mental health support, but they differ significantly in pricing, transparency, and how they connect you with a therapist. This guide covers every key difference.
Platform Positioning: Therapy Platform vs. Mental Health Organization
What Is Saya?
Saya is a therapy-dedicated platform in the Philippines designed for transparency and continuity. You can browse full therapist profiles—including photos, credentials, specializations, and client reviews—before booking your first session.
- •Full therapist profiles with photos, credentials, and reviews
- •Guided matching based on your concerns and preferences
- •Published flat-rate pricing: ₱1,750 psychotherapy / ₱2,500 psychiatrist
- •Between-session messaging included at no extra cost
🧡 What Is Empath PH?
Empath PH is a community-curated mental health organization offering clinical services, group support programs, and mental health advocacy. They provide counseling and psychiatric consultations through their booking system.
- •No public therapist directory—profiles are not available before booking
- •Service-type booking—you select a service and are assigned a professional
- •Pricing on booking page: ₱2,500 counseling / ₱3,000 psychiatry / ₱850 wellness consult
- •Community programs and mental health advocacy
Feature Comparison: Saya vs Empath PH
| Feature | Saya | Empath PH |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Therapy-dedicated platform | Mental health organization with clinical services |
| Therapist Profiles | Full public profiles with photos, credentials, specializations, reviews | No public therapist directory |
| Therapist Matching | Guided assessment-based matching | Service-type selection; provider assigned |
| Pricing Transparency | Published on website | Available on third-party booking page |
| Psychotherapy Price | ₱1,750 / 50-min session | ₱2,500 / 60-min session |
| Psychiatry Price | ₱2,500 / session | ₱3,000 / 60-min session |
| Between-Session Messaging | ✅ Included | ❌ Not available |
| Session Duration | 50 minutes | 45–60 minutes (varies by service) |
| Community Programs | ❌ Therapy-focused only | ✅ Group programs and advocacy |
Therapist Profiles and Transparency
For many first-time therapy seekers, knowing who you'll be talking to matters. Seeing a therapist's photo, reading about their specializations, and understanding their approach can reduce anxiety about starting therapy.
Saya: Full Profile Transparency
Every Saya therapist has a detailed public profile you can view before booking. Each profile includes:
- ✓Professional photo
- ✓License credentials (RPsy, RGC, MD)
- ✓Areas of specialization
- ✓Therapeutic approach
- ✓Client reviews and ratings
This transparency helps you feel more confident and informed before your first session—and helps you choose a therapist who genuinely fits your needs.
Empath PH: No Public Directory
Empath PH does not currently offer a public therapist directory. When you book a session, you select a service type (e.g., "Psychological/Counseling Consult") and are assigned a professional.
- •No therapist photos available before booking
- •No specialization details visible upfront
- •No client reviews or ratings
This may work well for users who trust the organization's curation, but it can feel uncertain for those who prefer to know their therapist beforehand.
Matching Experience: How You Connect with a Therapist
Saya: Guided Assessment Matching
Saya uses a clinically informed assessment to understand your concerns, preferences, and goals—then recommends a therapist who specializes in what you need.
This is especially valuable for first-time therapy seekers who may not know the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist, and counselor, or who feel overwhelmed choosing from a directory.
Empath PH: Service-Type Booking
Empath PH's booking process involves selecting the type of service you want—such as a Wellness Consult, Psychological Consult, or Psychiatric Consult—and then choosing an available time slot.
There is no guided matching process. The platform does not assess your specific concerns to recommend a clinician. You're trusting the organization to assign someone appropriate for your needs.
Pricing Comparison: What You Actually Pay
Cost is one of the biggest barriers to therapy in the Philippines. Understanding exactly what you'll pay—and what you get for that price—matters. For a broader look at options, see our guide to affordable therapy in the Philippines.
| Service | Saya | Empath PH |
|---|---|---|
| Psychotherapy Session | ₱1,750 (50 min) | ₱2,500 (60 min) |
| Psychiatry Session | ₱2,500 | ₱3,000 (60 min) |
| Initial Consult | Same as session rate | ₱850 Wellness Consult (45 min) |
| Cost Per Minute | ~₱35/min (psychotherapy) | ~₱41.67/min (counseling) |
| Between-Session Messaging | Included | Not available |
💡 A Note on Empath PH's Wellness Consult
Empath PH offers a ₱850 Wellness Consult (45 minutes) designed as an introductory session for first-timers. This is a lower entry point, but it's important to note that ongoing counseling sessions are priced at ₱2,500—significantly higher than Saya's psychotherapy rate of ₱1,750.
Between-Session Support
Therapy doesn't stop when the session ends. What happens between sessions—processing insights, managing triggers, staying accountable—often determines long-term progress.
Saya: Messaging Included
- ✓Unlimited in-app messaging with your therapist
- ✓Share thoughts, updates, or concerns anytime
- ✓No extra cost—included in your session fee
- ✓Keeps the therapeutic momentum going
Empath PH: Session-Based Only
- •No between-session messaging feature
- •Communication limited to scheduled sessions
- •Follow-up requires booking another session
Which Is Better for Different Scenarios?
🧠 You Want to See Your Therapist's Profile Before Booking
Saya — Browse detailed profiles with photos, credentials, specializations, and reviews. Know who you're working with before your first session.
💰 You're on a Tight Budget
Saya — Psychotherapy at ₱1,750 per session versus Empath PH's ₱2,500 means you save ₱750 per session. Over 8 sessions, that's ₱6,000 in savings—enough for more than 3 additional sessions on Saya.
🤝 You Want Community and Group Support
Empath PH — Their community programs and group support initiatives may be valuable if you're looking for peer connection alongside (or instead of) individual therapy.
🆕 It's Your First Time Seeking Therapy
Saya — Guided matching helps you find the right type of professional without needing to know the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist, or counselor upfront.
📱 You Want Support Between Sessions
Saya — In-app messaging lets you stay connected with your therapist between sessions at no extra cost. Empath PH does not currently offer this feature.
🌿 You Want a Quick Introductory Consult
Empath PH — Their ₱850 Wellness Consult (45 minutes) offers a lower entry point for first-timers who want to explore therapy before committing to ongoing sessions.
Final Summary
If you value transparency—seeing who your therapist is before you book, knowing exactly what you'll pay, and having a guided process to find the right match—then Saya is designed for that. With therapist profiles, published pricing, assessment-based matching, and between-session messaging, Saya puts you in control of your therapy journey.
If you're drawn to a community-centered mental health organization with group programs, advocacy work, and are comfortable being assigned a professional without previewing their profile, Empath PH may align with your preferences.
Both platforms serve an important role in expanding mental health access for Filipinos. The best choice depends on what matters most to you: transparency and affordability, or community-driven care at a higher price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
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