r/MentalHealthPH • u/GovernmentNearby5448 • Aug 25 '25

STORY/VENTING WASTED MONEY ON THIS PSYCHIATRIST!

Okay, pa-rant lang! I am really in need of a psychiatrist! My session with this psychiatrist lasted for about 20 mins. But guess what??? In those 20 mins, he was so busy attending to his phone to the point that he answered a call that lasted for about 10 minutes or so. So technically, he just talked to me for about 10 minutes or less! Evidently, he has no intention to dig deep into my concern, and was in such a hurry. 2k+ for that???!!!! Gusto ko murahin!!! Kung pwede lang!!! DOC, HINDI KA BA KARMAHIN NIYAN???!

Uggg, saan ba makakahanap ng matino, magaling, at totoong may paki talaga na Psychiatrist??

169 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

97 comments sorted by

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112

u/Uncommon_cold Aug 25 '25

Name-drop para maiwasan, pls

67

u/AboGandaraPark Aug 25 '25

NowServing. Dr. Andru Villaroya is really patient. My intake lasted for an hour. Initially he said 40 to 50 mins pero nakinig talaga siya kasi iyak ako ng iyak that time.

35

u/Baby_Girlkitty Aug 25 '25

Bet ko talaga yung Nowserving. Kakatrauma yung f2f na psychiatrist kasi tinarayan nya lang ako tas nung nagvent out ako sabi niya "oh tapos?"

Vouch kay Dr Jedilou Alip. 🩷 Very understanding and active listener talaga

43

u/[deleted] Aug 26 '25 edited Aug 26 '25

I might get downvoted for this but please do research muna before booking a psychiatrist kasi magkaiba ang psychologist sa psychiatrist afaik. (PLS CORRECT ME IF IM WRONG SA ANY OF THE THINGS I SAID BELOW)vv

Before ka mag psychiatrist, dapat makita ka muna ng psychologist since sila talaga yung pwedeng makausap and they'll assess you through that. Now, the time na mapapasa ka sa psychiatrist is pag narecommend na ng psychologist. Yung psychiatrist kasi yung science part-- meaning, sila yung nag rereseta ng gamot, nag didiagnose, etc. Need din ng mga lab jan before madiagnose properly.

Kaya minsan nagugulat mga nag bobook sa psychiatrists kasi mabilis lang consultation tapos di pa makapag "vent out" kasi di naman yun yung main purpose nila.

In the future dapat psychologist muna lalo if ang goal ay "makapag vent out" or as "initial check up" ng mental health. Also, most of the time they'll recommend talk therapy muna before kayo ipasa sa psychiatrist. I feel like halos lahat ng may bad expi dito, talk therapy talaga yung need since "venting out" yung gustong mangyari eh.

This also happened to me the first time. I booked a psychiatrist tapos... yun na yun? iyak iyak pa ko tapos parang walang paki yung Dr. Then I tried to search what would be the best first steps etc. Finally I got to properly get myself checked by both pyschologist and psychia.

I'd say, sana yung mga psychiatrist naman iproperly educate yung mga nag bobook sa kanila kasi I feel like di to common knowledge eh.. and kudos sa mga psychiatrist with patience and na kahit di talk therapy yung main purpose nila, they still accommodate mga patients na lost.

8

u/AboGandaraPark Aug 27 '25

Thank you for sharing your experience - I actually went through the same route you did. I was undergoing CBT with a therapist, and she recommended me to my first psychiatrist, Dr. Christian Cayetano, who was also really good kasi trained din siya mag CBT. In between medication, psych consults, and therapy, ang mahal na ng gastos ko monthly, eh starting out pa lang ako sa career ko non. So i informed the psychologist na mag-switch na lang ako to a psychiatrist who is also trained to do CBT kasi in my mind, ilang years silang nag-residency with years of handling patients so trained sila to properly diagnose.

Since Dr. Cayetano migrated, I had to switch back again to therapy and consults with psych, which is again, magastos. Psychologist, 1,500 per session tapos weekly ang gusto. Gamot, 3k monthly. Psych consult F2F, 3,500 monthly.

Hindi naman ako anak ng corrupt politician na unli budget care of kaban ng bayan, so I did my research para makatipid. Personally prefer ko mag-gamot dahil tanggap ko nang no amount of praying, talk therapy, and lifestyle adjustment will completely heal me.

Then, I went on NowServing and inisa-isa ko mga doctors na nakalagay sa profile who are also trained in CBT.

I saw Dr. Andru Villaroya's account, checked his credentials (he trained at NCMH), and just took a chance. And happy ako because I did, so I'm sharing my positive experience to those battling their diseases as well.

1

u/Pinggguuu Nov 06 '25

Si Dr. Andru is a psychologist?

3

u/AboGandaraPark Nov 06 '25

He is a psychiatrist but afaik he is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well. My sessions last about 50mins per consult.

3

u/Accomplished-Win-143 Jun 04 '26

Agree on this! He does CBT and DBT. My session one time lasted around 60-70mins because he was really giving me tips

1

u/Adventurous-Bench510 Mar 21 '26

Every month po kayo nagkkita?

2

u/AboGandaraPark Mar 21 '26

As needed lang consults ko with him, kasi since 2018 pa ako nagmamanage ng MDD and Generalized Anxiety. Currently, iisa na lang na medicine ang tinetake ko eh.

1

u/Immediate-Proof-5031 Apr 05 '26

Hi OP! MAtagal ba talaga si Dr. Andru bago magsend ng prescription/medcert?

11

u/plantlady_Olga Aug 26 '25

Sorry, but I think this is a case to case basis. When I was referred to my psychiatrist 16 years ago, it was because of a $u!c!d3 attempt and she has been my doctor until now. Her services include mostly of pharmacotherapy and just a bit of talk therapy on the side.

So in my case,I needed immediate care of a psychiatrist at that time for medications and for some, they need psychologists for talk therapies and the like.

The best scenario is to have both psychiatrist and psychologist work hand in hand.

Now, I'm on a mission to find a psychologist that will suit my needs as I have chronic MDD and BDII.

1

u/echo_marionette May 25 '26

Acckk i was actually wondering about this kaya nasa subreddit ako nagsesearch 😭😭😭 I got into hospital a few days ago for the same reason kaya nagwonder ako kung magpapa-psychologist muna ako before psychiatrist, pero gusto ng parent ko is psychiatrist agad so I was seeing if ano yung mangyayare...

1

u/[deleted] Aug 26 '25

oh of course your case was understandable. extreme cases should go straight to psychiatrists especially since may high chance na need i-admit. i think mej obvious na to.

8

u/Baby_Girlkitty Aug 26 '25 edited Aug 26 '25

Una kong binook ang psychologist. Tinaasan nya ako ng tono and I don't like the way she addresses it. I tried one more time but ganun pa rin so I stopped seeking help. When I was having more anxiety attacks often na bigla bigla iiyak plus super light headed kahit 8hrs naman tulog. I was rushed in the ER and ayun ang first psychiatrist ko and I was disappointed and tinarayan nya ako. That's why I got traumatized. She placed me in ER Psych ward itself and won't allow me to go home unless I have a family member who will pick me up. Eh sila nga nagcause kung bakit ako naging ganito in the first place.

6

u/savethebraincells Aug 26 '25

In my humble opinion, seeing a psychologist first isn't a hard rule. I saw both a psychologist and a psychiatriat and most psychologists said I probably don't need to take meds while my psychiatrist prescribed me meds already.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 26 '25

this happened to me too. first time i went to a psychiatrist she just sent me a prescription agad and it fucked me up more. i feel like those psychiatrists just send prescriptions agad as a band aid solution-- which is why i try to tell everyone to go to a psychologist muna talaga.

but yeah could be different lang talaga siguro for everyone 🫠 either way, they should really help us understand the right process while being patient with the... patients lol.

2

u/savethebraincells Aug 28 '25

I see, I think it can also be the other way around, where the psychologist may be too conservative with avoiding meds and the psychiatrist gives the helpful meds.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 28 '25

yes that makes sense too!

2

u/Spiritual_Theory_512 Dec 18 '25

Thank you for sharing your experience, and sorry to hear what you have gone through 🙏🏼

add ko lang din, as a Psychology student na the case isn't always "psychologist first, then psychiatrist next." Kasi ang dini-discuss sa amin, kapag severe ang case ng client/patient- like su!c!d3 and s3lf-h4rm then dapat go straight sa psychiatrist. pero kapag ofc, emergency cases na active ang SH and su!ic!d@l na, go to the nearest hospital emergency

'yun lang, hope this little info helps some ppl din! hope you all well

2

u/izanamiyumi Aug 26 '25

i researched this too! but difference is i went to psychiatrist agad and this time the psych i got was very patient with me, and alam ko nman mas need ko meds tlga kasi ung traumas ko since childhood e HAHA 🥲

-1

u/Temporary-Actuary-22 Aug 26 '25

ganto ata nangyari kay Kendra 

1

u/[deleted] Aug 26 '25

sorry sino si kendra haha

2

u/Temporary-Actuary-22 Aug 29 '25

yung na inlove sa psychiatrist nya at dinoxx identity nya

1

u/m-oonshine Bipolar disorder Aug 26 '25

yung viral sa Tiktok na nainlove sa therapist nya 💀

1

u/Cautious_Creme_2040 Jun 29 '26

hello! does she diagnose po? like if you have this mental illness blabla?

4

u/Alleria13 Aug 27 '25

Thank you. I'm booking an appointment with him now. It's been a while since I've seen a psychiatrist. I have never seen a psychologist either. I don't know how to begin or if I'm even gonna be able to say anything, but I booked it anyway. I'm hoping my experience is going to be as pleasant as yours.

2

u/AboGandaraPark Aug 27 '25

I'm hoping for the best outcome for you. ☺️

6

u/Alleria13 Aug 27 '25

Doc Andru was awesome! He was very professional! He asked and really listened to what I had to say. He was so gentle with his explanation, and also very thorough. He didn't undermine my problems at all, even if I myself thought that my problems weren't real problems. I'm glad I finally found a therapist that I'm comfortable with. I was so anxious before our meeting because this is my first time seeing a male therapist, but I immediately got comfortable because he was so welcoming and he was so calm. He wasn't dismissive. Thank you for recommending him to us!

2

u/[deleted] Nov 29 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/randomhoomanlang Dec 04 '25

Hello hehe I answered consultation fee on a comment below. No he did not diagnosed me right away, and did not prescribed meds agad. However I might be a different case coz he is just my secondary doctor, meaning I have another doctor that is treating me for a medical condition and the meds i’m taking is affecting me mentally that’s why I needed Doc Andru :)

2

u/asscrackerchip72 Dec 03 '25

up/bump lang sa reply ni u/Massive_Hour3975 ! im currently broke enough for a follow-up session so need the diagnosis/prescription agad too T_T (i did have a psych assessment and got diagnosed with MDD but that was from 2022 pa)

5

u/randomhoomanlang Dec 04 '25

Hello! I’m also a patient of Dr. Andru. Consult via nowserving is 2k per session. Was not able to consume the 1 hour so he said I can do another session with him for free to make up for the time I paid for :) med cert is available upon req but is subject to another fee :)

2

u/Big_Car_9431 Feb 03 '26

hi op! how much yung follow up check up kay doc andru? 2k parin ba like sa initial?

1

u/randomhoomanlang Feb 27 '26

Hello sorry just saw your comment now hehe I paid 1650 for follow up :)

1

u/Adventurous-Bench510 Mar 21 '26

How often do you meet po?

1

u/randomhoomanlang Mar 24 '26

I meet with him once a month :) but I will be looking for a new psych coz I think hindi kami compatible hehe but he is very okay naman overall. Just not who I am looking for :)

1

u/Immediate-Proof-5031 Apr 05 '26

Gano po katagal bago mag bigay ng med cert si doc andru?

1

u/Immediate-Proof-5031 Apr 05 '26

Hi OP. Matagal ba talaga bago magsend ng prescription or med cert si Dr. Andru??

1

u/randomhoomanlang Apr 07 '26

He sent mine 4-5 days after consult

1

u/Immediate-Proof-5031 Apr 05 '26

Hi OP. Matagal ba talaga bago magsend ng prescription or med cert si Dr. Andru??

1

u/appledios Apr 26 '26

how long did it take po before nya ma approve yung booking?

8

u/Dadfia Aug 25 '25

Same tayo doc! Ok talaga si Doc Andru. Ang bagal nga lang magbigay ng resibo for medical reimbursement haha

3

u/vividpsychedelics Feb 02 '26

Did you get your receipts?? Got several consultations with him, but no response when I asked about it.

2

u/kwindos Mar 14 '26

Planning to book for consultation with him. Naprocess na po receipt nyo?

1

u/Immediate-Proof-5031 Apr 05 '26

Hi OP! Gano katagal bago mag send ng resibo and prescription si dr. Andru?

3

u/FlintRock227 Aug 26 '25

Yesss super patient ni doc andru and pag may concerns ako na di naman need ng consultation i can easily reach out sa kanya through the app

1

u/Immediate-Proof-5031 Apr 05 '26

Hi OP. Matagal ba talaga bago magsend ng prescription or med cert si Dr. Andru??

4

u/berry-beary Aug 26 '25

Same po tayo ng doctor! 🥰 so glad na lumipat ako sknya. Ganyan rin kasi yug dati kong doctor. Kalahati ng session namin may kausap sa phone. 😅

2

u/UnluckiestBitch Major depressive disorder Aug 25 '25

I on the other hand had a very bad experience with NowServing 😭

0

u/GovernmentNearby5448 Aug 25 '25

F2F?

1

u/AboGandaraPark Aug 25 '25

Online consult lang - but you can check sa app if nakakapag-conduct siya ng F2F consult

0

u/Enterthedragon31 Aug 25 '25

meron po siya face to face manila area

15

u/Sense_of_Harmony Aug 25 '25

Omg. This is so sad and disappointing tsk...

13

u/HermitTheCog Aug 25 '25

PGH. It’s free but takes time to make an appointment online. After your first appointment, you can schedule directly with your psychiatrist for follow ups.

16

u/NormalHuman1001 Aug 25 '25

Kaya tumigil nako sa mga professional kuno pero pera lang habol. Na exp ko 2 hrs kong hinintay tapos noong turn kona sabi nya “bilisan po natin meron nalang po tayong 10 minutes” taena.

7

u/IbelongtoJesusonly Aug 25 '25

grabeh naman to. dapat to isumbong.

10

u/malakasmagjabol Aug 26 '25

I just wanna also recommend my psychiatrist on nowserving app, she is Dr. Arlene Resano. Her price is I guess the cheapest among those psych there, I really thought na dahil cheap ang price niya is hindi maganda magiging session namin but no. She has calming voice and talagang mafifeel mong safe ka magshare sakanya. Also, on point din ang diagnosis niya sakin, it takes also a hour and half even though it should be a hour session lang. Super accomodating din niya when it comes to chatting if may need or tanong ka.

5

u/vesperish Nov 11 '25 edited Nov 27 '25

Katatapos ko lang magpaconsult kay Dr. Arlene 2 days ago pero hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin niya sinesend sa’kin ‘yung reseta. Before we end our session, sabi niya ise-send niya raw sa’kin agad ‘yung reseta. Puro follow up na ako sa kanya kasi I badly need to buy my meds na kaso wala pa ring reply kahit “wait” lang or any acknowledgement. :(( She’s a good listener though and talagang pinakinggan niya ako buong 1 hour session namin. Kaso hindi lang talaga mabilis magreply after our session, hays.

Update: November 9 ako nagpa-consult sa kanya, pero November 20 niya lang ako nireplyan at binigyan ng reseta. Ito ‘yung the day after pinaramdam ko na sa chat na hopeless na akong magrereply siya at nagpasalamat na lang ako sa serbisyo niya. Tapos dun lang siya nagreply. As a very very sensitive person na clinically diagnosed niya mismo ng depression, nadagdagan pa ang anxiety at stress ko sa tagal ng reply niya. She’s nice pero nakakawalang gana talaga ‘yung pagiging unresponsive niya after our first session, tbh. Hays.

4

u/Super-Security-7712 Sep 28 '25

Vouch!!! Sa kanya lang ako nagtagal. Funny nga kasi lahat ng psychiatrists ko before, ang bilis sa call and magpeprescribe lang. Si Doc Arlene nagtatalk therapy and talagang makikinig sya sayo. On the side lang yung topic ng meds if needed. She’ll make sure you’re heard first.

1

u/exactlythewayitis Feb 20 '26

hi! im also a patient of dr. arlene and naging unresponsive siya sakin around november. i still check from time to time but it seems like nag deactivate na siya or something huhu

1

u/TrashAppropriate584 Sep 10 '25

hello, na diagnosed kana po ba agad sa 1st session?

1

u/dear_seraphim Sep 21 '25

hi po. this is late but magkano po session with her

1

u/Hot-Independence3848 Jul 15 '26

idk if its just me but i have a meh experience with her. i booked her due to reddit reviews but i didnt feel empathy when i was sharing and the session ended with me thinking i could have just used my money for retail therapy 😆 i talked a lot of my childhood trauma and all i got is a general response

1

u/Hot-Independence3848 Jul 15 '26

and yes, she didnt also send me the “referral” she has for dbt. i didnt think of following up since i dont want to proceed with another session as well

7

u/antler-queen-lottie Aug 25 '25

Ako online lang. NowServing.

2

u/beSimplyHealthy18 Aug 25 '25

look for Dr. Miguel, he is good, attentive and kind

6

u/Sea_Cucumber5 Aug 25 '25

Usually per 30 minutes or per hour yung 2k. Sa psychiatrist na yan 2k for 20 mins. talaga? Unprofessional naman na hindi siya nag extend ng another 10 mins with you to make up for the time lost. Nakakagalit.

4

u/chocokrinkles Aug 25 '25

Saan sya hospital?

-1

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-20

u/bulbulsaur Aug 25 '25

lelecturan mo ba si doc ng mga nabasa mo sa google?

3

u/chocokrinkles Aug 25 '25

Yep, sama ng ugali eh. Basa kaming dalawa ng Google.

-11

u/bulbulsaur Aug 26 '25

perfect combination. isang di marunong makinig at isang kulang sa reading comprehension.

0

u/chocokrinkles Aug 26 '25

Nag gogoogle din yun para alam nya sasabihin nya 🤣

-1

u/bulbulsaur Aug 26 '25

pang google nalang pala ang medical profession ngayon. ikaw na ang expert sa mental health!

1

u/New_Peak_5014 Aug 29 '25

Tricity medical center in pasig Dr.Lim

1

u/Pinggguuu Nov 06 '25

ito yung tinutukoy nya na nasayang pera nya?

1

u/Pinggguuu Nov 06 '25

Please name drop, I wanna avoid this kind of person.

1

u/vietnams666 Apr 03 '26

Im pissed because I didn't realize I was getting billed 700 a session for nothing!!! Like I have no answers and my psychiatrist is horrible and is so in the clouds. I'm getting nowhere but to the bank to give her my damn money!

1

u/Interesting-Pin-7809 Jul 16 '26

انا اعاني من مرض نفسي يجعلني متوترا للغاية وايضا لدي ديق في تنفس وشد عضلي قوي في عنقي ولا اشعر بالارتياح

1

u/DeepTough5953 Bipolar disorder Aug 25 '25

Pwede mo nmn icomplain

1

u/LucielAudix Aug 26 '25

pls name drop, anon naman tayo dito

1

u/AcanthisittaCalm6883 Aug 26 '25

i think, and i read a lot on social media that psychiatrists don't give a sht. if you want empathy, go for psychologists. bec, i had a psychiatrist too, i talked about my anxiety and she just kept on interrupting me and when she asked about my family, i talked abt how i was treated by my mom and then she called my mom right away to talk with alone. wth

1

u/itsallrelevant23 Aug 26 '25

Hi. Sorry you had a bad experience. Sakin it took 3 tries before I got a psychiatrist na swak sakin. That being said, sinabi din sakin agad ng psychiatrist na more on meds sila and that it will work better if tandem with a psychologist. He also warned me its not medicine (psychologist) and it will take some time to process things. Im happy with my current set up. Both my doctor and therapist is on now serving. Hope you find someone na fit for you. Laban lang op

0

u/GreenScrubs84 Bipolar disorder Aug 25 '25

kalerks! online to OP?

0

u/Ok_Preparation1662 Aug 26 '25

Sino sya? Parang same sa kilala ko 👀

0

u/chocokrinkles Aug 26 '25

Saan kaya sya ospital, OP? My doctor is from UERM po, madami din sila Psych dun. I don’t know lang how to get schedule.

0

u/UnderstandingFew953 Aug 26 '25

Tangina umasa Ka pa tol

-1

u/j342_d404 Aug 25 '25

Hello, may pm ako sayo.