It can also be done before the visa is issued, but then the subject needs to go to CFO (we went to the office at the end of Supper Highway in Manila) to get the permission to leave Phil stamp. My wife's best friend who is waiting for her Visa, has already done the counseling.
Just a point in passing. Remember the people asking the questions about husband, his family etc, don't know the answers ! The wife of an Australian guy I met whilst waiting for my wife had told them her husband had a degree in nuclear physics. When I told him I was impressed he said, in fact he had received a very basic education ! So all the effort my wife had put in learning about my background was unnecessary.
