Is NowServing good for therapy?

Yes, NowServing includes mental health professionals in its directory. However, it operates as a broader healthcare marketplace rather than a therapy-dedicated platform, so the experience is more focused on booking appointments than on structured therapy journeys.

Is Saya cheaper than NowServing?

It depends on the doctor selected on NowServing. Saya uses standardized, transparent pricing (flat rates for psychologists and counselors), while NowServing pricing varies by provider. Saya's predictability can make budgeting for ongoing therapy easier.

Does Saya offer psychiatrists?

Yes. Saya provides access to licensed psychiatrists as part of its therapy ecosystem, alongside psychologists and counselors. You can browse available professionals on the Saya therapists page.

Which platform is better for long-term therapy?

Platforms designed around therapy continuity—like Saya—generally provide a more structured experience for long-term psychological support, including between-session messaging and guided clinician matching.

Can I use HMO on NowServing?

Some providers on NowServing may accept HMOs depending on their clinic and arrangement. Coverage varies per doctor, so it's best to confirm directly with the provider before booking.

Saya vs NowServing: Which Online Therapy Platform Is Better in the Philippines?

🔑 Key Takeaways

Choose Saya if you want: Guided matching with a psychologist or psychiatrist, a structured therapy journey, transparent pricing, and ongoing messaging between sessions.

Choose NowServing if you want: A large healthcare marketplace, direct search and booking by doctor name, and access to many medical specialties in one app.

This distinction is important: Saya is built around therapy as a journey, while NowServing operates primarily as a booking marketplace.

When comparing Saya and NowServing, it's important to understand that they are built for different primary purposes. For many Filipinos navigating therapy for the first time, choosing the right platform can feel overwhelming—so let's break it down.

Platform Positioning

What Is Saya?

Saya is an online therapy platform in the Philippines focused on connecting users with licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors through guided matching and structured sessions.

•Therapy-first design philosophy
•Continuity-focused with messaging between sessions
•Transparent pricing with flat rates
•Support between sessions through in-app messaging

🏥 What Is NowServing?

NowServing is a digital healthcare booking platform where users can search and book doctors across many specialties, including mental health.

•Marketplace model for healthcare
•Large directory of doctors across specialties
•Flexible pricing per provider
•Appointment booking focus

Feature Comparison

Feature	Saya	NowServing
Primary Focus	Therapy and psychological support	Healthcare marketplace
Clinician Matching	Guided assessment-based matching	Manual search and filtering
Mental Health Positioning	Core category	One category among many
Pricing Style	Standardized session pricing	Varies per doctor
Between-Session Messaging	Designed for continuity	Depends on provider
Psychiatry Access	Yes	Yes
Ideal For	Long-term therapy	One-off consults or doctor search

Matching Experience

Saya Matching Process

Saya uses a guided assessment to help match users with the right psychologist or psychiatrist based on concerns, preferences, and goals.

This reduces decision fatigue and increases therapeutic fit—especially valuable for users who don't know which clinician to choose.

NowServing Search Process

NowServing allows users to search by doctor name, specialty, clinic, and location.

This gives flexibility but requires the user to evaluate options independently. If you already know which doctor you want, this model works well.

Pricing Comparison

Pricing transparency matters for therapy adoption—especially in the Philippines where cost is often the biggest barrier. For more context, see our guide on affordable therapy options in the Philippines.

Saya

✓Standardized session pricing
✓Clear published pricing
✓Subscription or package options available

NowServing

•Pricing varies per doctor
•Some consults may start at lower entry price
•Total cost depends on provider selection

If you want predictability, standardized pricing reduces friction. If you want maximum flexibility, marketplace pricing offers wider range.

Therapy Journey vs. Appointment Booking

This is where the platforms differ most.

Saya: Journey-First

•Designed around ongoing sessions
•Structured therapy journey
•Emphasis on continuity
•Built for repeat therapy sessions

NowServing: Booking-First

•Optimized for booking doctors
•May be used for therapy, but not exclusively therapy-focused
•Appointment-first experience

For long-term psychological work, continuity can matter. For quick consults or specialist access, a marketplace model can be efficient.

Which Is Better for Different Scenarios?

Scenario 1: Long-Term Therapy

Saya is generally more aligned with ongoing, structured individual therapy.

Scenario 2: One-Off Psychiatric Consultation

NowServing may provide a wide selection of psychiatrists to choose from.

Scenario 3: You Don't Know Which Clinician to Choose

Guided matching makes the process easier—especially if it's your first time seeking therapy.

Scenario 4: You Want Access to Multiple Medical Specialties

NowServing's marketplace model provides broader coverage across healthcare.

Final Summary

If your primary goal is therapy—guided matching, transparent pricing, structured long-term psychological support, and continuity between sessions—then Saya is typically the more focused option.

If you want a large doctor marketplace, flexible provider choice, and multi-specialty healthcare access, then NowServing may suit your needs.