Studies have shown that the ongoing global pandemic is taking a toll on people's mental health. The uncertainty of the future, the persistent threat of a killer virus, being stuck at home, and lack of physical contact all contribute to mental health distress.
It doesn't help that local headlines are getting crazier by the minute. Like monthly or annual physical exams, our mental health also needs regular check-ups-especially now.
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If you're looking for online psychiatric services, we've listed down 10 private practices you can contact from home:
MindNation
Price per session: Varies per service (minimum of P500)
How to set an appointment: Follow the prompts on their Facebook Messenger
Whether work is taking over your life or you're having trouble sleeping, MindNation knows that it helps to have someone to talk to. They were established in 2019 and are focused on providing needs-based programs that are accessible anytime, anywhere. Consultations are done in three steps: assessment, booking, and the actual session with a mental health professional.
An initial session with a wellbeing coach is at P500 while succeeding individual sessions are at P1,000. But you can get a package for three sessions at P2,850 or for six sessions at P5,550. For consultations with a psychologist, the following rates apply: P1,500 for the first session, P2,500 for your next session, or P12,125 for a package of five sessions. If you're part of the companies and schools they've partnered with, you can avail of their services for free.
Better Steps Psychology
Price per session: P1,800 to P2,500
How to set an appointment: Fill out their form or text/call 0917-894-3988
Better Steps Psychology is a full-service mental health group practice composed of mental health professionals (whether psychologists or psychiatrists), clinicians, physicians, and educators. They offer one-on-one consultations, couples therapy, family therapy, parent-coaching sessions, wellness seminars, corporate mental health programs, and clinical psychological assessments. They also offer discounted rates to PWDs and senior citizens.
In Touch Community Services
Price per session: P2,600
How to set an appointment: Fill out their form or call (02) 8893-1893 and 0917-863-1136
In Touch Community Services provides mental and emotional support for individuals, couples, and families. During the one-hour sessions, they can tackle various issues like parenting and family matters, marital and relationship problems, stress and work-related concerns, and grief and loss.
They also provide support for people who have experienced substance abuse, domestic violence, and trauma. Their professional team is composed of counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and life coaches. They also have a matching service where you indicate what kind of mental health professional you want, whether you're interested in talk therapy or medicine-based approach or both, and whether you want a non-religious or religious approach.
Argao Center for Psychological Services
Price per session: P1,580
How to set an appointment: Book through their website or call 0999-713-8844
Established in 2016 in San Fernando, Pampanga, Argao Center for Psychological Services offers online consultation for P780 as initial assessment and P1,580 for succeeding sessions on psychotherapy. Rates for psychological assessment, couples counseling, and other services vary depending on what you need.
VMG Professionals
Price per session: P500
How to set an appointment: Drop them a message on Facebook or call/text 0925-377-4488
VMG Professionals PH has an extensive range of services for mental health and wellness. They offer psychotherapy, whether individual or group therapy; emotional support; art/play therapy; psychoeducational assessment; and growth mindset seminars and training for companies. Aside from online consults, you can also contact them for home service acupuncture and ventosa that are conducted by their certified acupuncturist and alternative medicine doctor.
Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services
Price per session: Free
How to set an appointment: Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services' Google Form
The Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services of the Ateneo de Manila University offers free counseling services for people aged 18 and above. You don't need to be a student at the university to use their services.
You can set up an online appointment through their Google Form, but with the growing demand for counseling and limited number of responders, you may have to wait up to three weeks to get a slot.
Services will be conducted within one or two sessions; each meeting is aimed at equipping you with coping strategies to better handle the pandemic. They also suspend free sign-ups once in a while due to high volume, but you can still avail of paid services.
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Mindcare Club
Price per session: P1,000 to P3,360
How to set an appointment: Mindcare Club's website
Mindcare Club, launched in October 2019, is a telemental health service with a network of mental-health psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors in the Philippines. Initial assessment is at P896, then you'll be referred by the triage officers to the most appropriate mental-health professional (counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist) that you need. Rates per session range from P1,000 to P3,360.
Recovery Hub Philippines
Price per session: Varies per doctor (minimum of P1,000)
How to set an appointment: Recovery Hub Philippines' website
Recovery Hub Philippines is based in Mandaue City, Cebu, but they're accessible to any Filipino in need of counseling through online video calls. To book a session, you need to register through their website and browse through their list of doctors in the Psychiatrist / Psychologist section. Laptop users can access their website through Google Chrome, while Google Chrome or iOS are the preferred browsers for mobile users.
Psychconsult
Price per session: P2,300 to P2,800
How to set an appointment: Call or text (02) 8710-3808, (02) 8421-2469, and 0917-8080193
Quezon City-based Psychconsult has transitioned from face-to-face sessions to exclusively sessions until the end of the year to both new and existing clients. They offer initial assessment interviews, individual counseling or psychotherapy, couples' therapy, group therapy, and parent coaching. Initial session is at P2,300, then succeeding sessions are at P2,800.
UGAT Foundation
Price per session: Free
How to set an appointment: Fill out their form
Non-profit organization UGAT Foundation by the Jesuit apostolate provides free counseling and counseling on a donation basis. They also provide marriage and family counseling for a minimum fee of P1,500. The group also provides seminars and workshops on mental health and wellness and stress management.
Note: Most of these services don't serve as crisis lines. For cases that need urgent attention, your best bet is to proceed to the emergency room of the hospital nearest you. You may also call the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotlines at 0966-351-4518, 0917-899-8727, or 02-7989-8727; Natasha Goulbourn Foundation Hopeline at 0917-558-4673, 0918-873-4673, or 02-8804-4673; or In Touch Crisis Line: 0917-800-1123, 0922-893-8944, or 02-8893-7603.
Spot.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Reportr.world editors.
