Do you issue Medical Certificates?

Please note that a Mental Health Certificate is a legal document issued with my professional signature and may require an additional fee. These certificates are not covered by insurance and are issued only for valid reasons after a consultation. Clients are advised to confirm whether their employer or institution accepts certificates from online consultations with a psychologist. For Mental Health Certificates (for employment or other purposes), only a provisional diagnostic impression may be provided, as a full diagnosis requires a comprehensive psychological assessment. A referral letter may be issued when appropriate. A Fit-to-Work Certificate or Clearance is issued only after proper evaluation and completion of at least two (2) sessions, subject to professional judgment. For verification, my official email address and contact number are included on all certificates.

Do you give Certificate of Disability for PWD ID?

Unfortunately No. Kindly find a psychiatrist for mental/emotional disabilities and neurodevelopmental pediatrician for developmental disabilities

Can I book a schedule today?

Yes. As long as there is an available schedule, requests for appointments will be immediately accommodated. If not accepted within [24 hours], your request will be automatically cancelled by the system.

Do you accept Teen or Minor Clients?

Yes, I accept teen clients ages 15 to 17. As part of the process, I first conduct an initial consultation with the parent or trusted adult before speaking with the teen client. Please note that I am unable to accept teen clients without consent from a parent, guardian, or trusted adult, as this is required by law — minors are not permitted to undergo consultation without such consent. If parental/guardian consent is not available, you may instead reach out to your school's guidance counselor or call a crisis hotline. These services are free and anonymous. If you want to book your teen you may email me through: eglagutayapsychservices@gmail.com

I am currently residing abroad, can I book a session with you?

Yes — but with important limitations. As a licensed psychologist in the Philippines, I am authorized to provide psychological services within Philippine jurisdiction. This includes: (1) Clients who are physically located in the Philippines, or (2) Clients located in Philippine-recognized territories abroad, such as: Philippine embassies, Philippine consulates, Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) or Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs), Philippine-registered ships or aircraft If you are a Filipino citizen currently residing abroad but outside of these jurisdictions (e.g., in a private residence in another country), I cannot offer my psychological services as these may fall outside the scope of my Philippine license and could be subject to the laws of your host country. To protect your welfare and comply with ethical and legal standards, I will ask for: Your current physical location at time of the session and a signed informed consent outlining the jurisdictional limits of my services.

Do I need to pay first to get an appointment?

Yes, you will have to pay the fee before I will receive the request. The consultation fee includes only the following: examining the patient regarding the complaint, giving the correct diagnosis, and giving the appropriate management/prescription. There will be additional fees charges to you for any additional services offered during the consultation.

If I cancel my request for consultation, do I get a refund?

If your appointment has already been accepted by the provider, please send a cancellation message at least 2 hours before your scheduled session. This allows the provider to process a full refund of your payment. If your appointment has not yet been accepted, and you change your mind, you can immediately request a refund through the platform without needing to wait for provider action.

How long does a typical session last?

A typical session lasts around 60-90 minutes per patient. It can take longer depending on the case and needs of the patient.

I am not available on the scheduled appointment, can I ask to reschedule??

We’re happy to accommodate schedule changes, but to ensure smooth coordination: Please send a message at least 2 hours before your scheduled session if you need to reschedule. Requests made less than 2 hours before the session may no longer be accommodated and may be subject to rebooking fee of: P500.00 and refunds will not be honored.

What is your policy on Follow-up schedules?

To accommodate all clients fairly, I offer tentative slots for follow-up sessions, but these are not guaranteed until confirmed. Here's how it works: 1. A tentative slot may be reserved for you after your previous session. A booking schedule invite will be sent to you. 2. To confirm the slot, you must complete the booking (including payment) by a specified deadline—usually 24 hours before the session. A confirmation request will then be sent after booking the slot. Please accept the request to finalize the slot. 3. If the slot is not confirmed by the deadline, it will be automatically opened for other clients (walk-in) who may need it. 4. You will receive a reminder message 1 week to 1 day before the slot is released. This policy helps manage time efficiently and ensures that every client has fair access to available slots. Feel free to message me if you need assistance or want to secure your next session.

Attendance Guidelines: No-Show Policy

We understand that unexpected things can happen. However, to respect everyone’s time: A 15-minute grace period is given for each scheduled session. If the patient does not show up within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time without prior notice, the session will be marked as a no-show and will not be eligible for a refund. If you know you’ll be late or need to cancel, kindly message your provider as early as possible (2 hours before the session at most).

What can I expect from the session?

You can expect a safe, confidential, and supportive space where you are free to share your thoughts and experiences. The session will feel much like a guided interview, where the therapist will ask a series of questions to better understand your situation. Some of these questions might feel unexpected or unfamiliar, but they are meant to help you reflect and explore important aspects of your experience. After the initial discussion, there will be a short 3–5 minute break. Please stay on the call during this time—the therapist will resume the session right after. The therapist may offer feedback and possible directions, but please keep in mind that there are no guaranteed solutions. Ultimately, you are the agent of change in your own life. The session is meant to support you on that journey.

What is Trauma-Informed Care and Support?

Trauma-informed care recognizes that many individuals have experienced trauma and that these experiences may affect emotional, psychological, and relational functioning. It emphasizes safety, trust, collaboration, choice, and empowerment, focusing on strengths rather than asking what is “wrong” with the person. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) aligns with this approach by helping clients identify coping skills, existing resources, and hopeful next steps instead of revisiting traumatic events. This approach does not involve trauma processing or exposure; rather, it focuses on stabilization, safety, and improving daily functioning. Once the client is stable and safe, an appropriate referral for trauma-focused treatment may be provided when clinically indicated.

What is Solution-Focused Brief Therapy?

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a collaborative and strengths-based counseling approach that focuses on what clients want to change and how they can move forward, rather than dwelling on problems or deficits. It is grounded in the belief that you are not the problem—the problem is the problem, and that individuals already possess the abilities, resources, and resilience needed to create meaningful change. In line with my counseling philosophy, SFBT honors the client as the expert of their own life, emphasizes hope and practical solutions, and supports growth one step at a time. Change is viewed as possible, gradual, and personal, with counseling serving as a space to discover clarity, build on strengths, and move toward a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

Can I book a face to face consultation with you?

Currently, I only offer online consultations. Please look forward to my announcement of face-to-face consultation soon.

Can I message you on your social media accounts?

To maintain utmost confidentiality, please keep all consult-related questions here on this platform. For any new concerns, please book another appointment.

Can I message you via the NowServing app?

Yes, you can send me a message through the NowServing app once I already accepted your appointment. You will receive a reply as soon as possible.