Are you seeking an innovative approach to managing your mental health? Cerebral therapy, an online mental health platform, might be the solution you’ve been searching for.
Dive into this comprehensive Cerebral Therapy review to discover the services offered, subscription plans, user experiences, and more.
Short Summary
Cerebral therapy provides mental health care services to individuals with common mental health conditions but may not be suitable for those with severe issues.
Cerebral offers a variety of features and subscription plans to meet individual needs, including in-network insurance partners and out-of-network assistance.
Overall, Cerebral has met positive user feedback. However, It is essential to consider the potential drawbacks before making a decision.
Understanding Cerebral Therapy
Cerebral therapy is a telehealth platform that offers a range of mental health care services to individuals seeking treatment for common mental health conditions.
With licensed therapists, care counselors, and medical professionals on board, Cerebral provides talk therapy, psychiatry, medication management, and coaching to help individuals achieve better mental health.
However, it is essential to note that Cerebral is unsuitable for those with severe mental illness, such as suicidal ideation, severe schizophrenia, or active psychosis.
Services offered by Cerebral
Cerebral provides numerous services to its clients. Among them are talk therapy, coaching, and medication management.
The platform is primarily focused on treating anxiety, depression, and insomnia. It also offers medications such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
Care counselors play a crucial role in guiding individuals through the Cerebral process, offering behavioral health techniques, and providing coping mechanisms through monthly video or phone visits.
Clients can also access a portal with free online tests in multiple-choice questionnaires, offering insight into essential mental health topics.
Depending on the plan selected, a care counselor will check in periodically, or there will be a weekly meeting with the therapist.
Cerebral Review: Pros and Cons
Cerebral therapy, with a 4.0 rating on Trustpilot, offers an easy-to-use platform that provides therapy, psychiatry, and life coaching services, all available online.
However, some limitations include a focus on treating common mental health issues like depression and anxiety without prescribing controlled medications such as benzodiazepines or stimulants, which may not be suitable for individuals with more severe mental health conditions.
| Pros | Cons |
| Enrollment process is very quick. | Unethical prescription practices, including prescription of controlled substances and treatment of minors. |
| Therapist search tool allows you to fine-tune your search. | Limited insurance coverage. |
| Website is easy to use. | Limited choice of therapists. |
| Easy to switch platforms between phone, computer, or tablet. | Switching therapists requires personalized assistance. |
| Messaging center makes it easy to communicate. | Majority of available sessions are only after 5 p.m. or on weekends |
Addressing The Controversy
Cerebral has faced criticism for providing controlled substances to patients without adequate supervision, which could potentially lead to over-prescription and inadequate follow-up care. This has raised concerns about the relatively short virtual visits with prescribers and internal company communications suggesting overprescribing medication.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently investigating Cerebral due to allegations of potential violations of the Controlled Substances Act.
In response to the controversy, Cerebral’s former CEO and co-founder, Kyle Robertson, relinquished his role in May 2022. The company is now led by David Mou, MD, who previously held the position of chief medical officer.
Cerebral has discontinued providing prescriptions for several controlled drugs, including Adderall and Xanax, but Suboxone prescriptions for opioid addiction are still available.
Evaluating Cerebral Subscription Plans
Cerebral offers three subscription plans, two of which include medication and one solely therapy-based.
Sign-up is quick and easy and can be done from a phone or computer. Upon signing up, you must take a short psychological assessment to determine the most suitable plan.
Afterward, you will be prompted to schedule your initial video or phone call to develop a treatment plan.
The type of health professional you work with is contingent upon your subscription plan, which includes doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, care counselors, and therapists.
Plan Options and Pricing
Cerebral offers a wide variety of plans, each catered to fit different needs. Prices range from $99 to $325 per month.
Members eligible for Cerebral who also have insurance coverage will see a monthly cost of $29. Their insurance may also require deductibles and copay per session.
- Therapy: For $259 a month, this plan offers weekly video or phone sessions with a licensed therapist, along with secure messaging between sessions.
- Medication + Care management: For $99 a month, this plan includes an evaluation and diagnosis by a medical provider, as well as monthly medication delivery.
- Medication + Therapy: At $325 a month, this plan comprises an evaluation and diagnosis by a medical provider, a prescription, and weekly video or phone sessions with your therapist.
Out-of-pocket medication costs can be as low as $10 per month, though some plans may not be available in all states.
Each subscription plan offered by Cerebral comes with its unique set of features, catering to different individual needs. Users can compare the plans to determine which one best suits their mental health requirements and budget constraints, ensuring they receive the appropriate care and support.
Insurance Coverage and Payment Options
Cerebral takes insurance! Navigating insurance coverage and payment options for mental health services can often be daunting.
Cerebral simplifies this process by offering in-network insurance partners, out-of-network assistance, and FSA/HSA eligibility.
In-network insurance coverage
Cerebral works with various in-network insurance partners to provide affordable mental health care to its users. For those covered by an in-network insurance carrier, the cost of the service is reduced to $29 per month, making mental health care more accessible to a broader population.
Out-of-network assistance and reimbursements
The platform offers out-of-network assistance through its Automated Money Back program for users whose insurance plans are not in-network with Cerebral. This program helps users navigate the reimbursement process, ensuring they can still receive financial support for their mental health care needs.
User Experience: Navigating the Platform and App
Cerebral’s platform offers an easy-to-use interface and app that streamlines the process of managing one’s mental health treatment. This includes options for therapy, medication, FAQs, resources, and clinical drug trials, providing a comprehensive overview of available services for users.
Website navigation
Navigating through Cerebral’s website is a breeze, with a clean design and clear links to key information such as therapy options, medication and pricing, FAQs, resources, and even clinical drug trials.
Users can easily access the information they need to make informed decisions about their mental health care.
Cerebral mobile app
The Cerebral mobile app is designed to provide a seamless user experience, offering comprehensive overviews of mental health treatment. It enables users to:
- Access their accounts;
- Manage their mental health treatment;
- Connect with their care teams;
- Schedule appointments;
- Renew and track prescriptions;
- Receive mental health assessments.
The app integrates psychiatry, therapy, counseling, and medication management in one convenient location, simplifying the process of managing one’s mental health care.
Selecting and Communicating with Therapists
Selecting and communicating with therapists on Cerebral is a user-friendly process, with bios and photos available for users to review.
However, there are some limitations, such as a limited number of Asian therapists and no language options besides English.
Finding the right therapist
Finding the right therapist on Cerebral is a crucial step in ensuring a positive experience. Users can review therapist bios, which include general information, location, insurance accepted, specialty, and ethnicity, to help them select a therapist that best suits their needs and preferences.
These bios provide a comprehensive overview of the therapist’s qualifications and experience, allowing users to make an informed decision. Additionally, users can read reviews from other clients to get a good deal.
Communication channels
Cerebral offers various communication channels for users to interact with their therapists, including email, text messaging, video conferencing, and phone calls.
This allows users to maintain an open line of communication with their therapist, ensuring they receive the support and guidance they need throughout their mental health journey.
Canceling Therapy
If users need to cancel a therapy session or end their therapy subscription, Cerebral makes the process simple. Users can access their account settings and select “Cancel Subscription” to terminate their therapy services.
Cancellation is quick and easy, and users can be assured that their data is secure and their privacy is respected. Cerebral also offers a satisfaction guarantee, so users can be sure.
User Feedback and Satisfaction
Cerebral has received mixed feedback from its users, with many praising the quality of counselors, ease of use, and helpful care team.
However, some customers have raised concerns regarding the platform, which will be discussed in the following subsections.
Positive reviews
Many users have shared positive experiences with Cerebral, highlighting the quality of counselors, ease of use, and helpful care team. Users have reported life-changing success with their mental health treatment and appreciate the convenience of receiving care from home.
Areas of concern
Despite positive reviews, some customers have raised concerns about Cerebral’s services. These concerns include unexpected charges, low provider availability, discrepancies between billing entries and the number of visits attended, inadequate communication regarding changes in charges, and being charged even after canceling their accounts.
Privacy and Data Protection Measures
Cerebral takes privacy and data protection seriously, adhering to HIPAA guidelines and limiting the sharing of personal health information with providers and insurers.
However, it has been noted that Cerebral may share personal user data with third parties and private health information with advertisers, raising privacy concerns.
Comparing Cerebral to Competitors
Cerebral exhibits several similarities to other online mental health platforms. However, Cerebral provides the widest range of services compared to its counterparts in terms of service offerings.
Comparing costs across platforms can be challenging due to variations in pricing structures, including monthly memberships versus appointment-based fees. Moreover, utilizing health insurance can further impact the overall costs, making it crucial to verify your benefits with a platform before enrolling if you have any uncertainties.
When compared to other telehealth providers in therapy and medication, Cerebral offers a range of unique advantages, such as a user-friendly platform and app, as well as a broad selection of therapists.
However, the platform is not as comprehensive as its competitors in terms of medication management and prescription services.
Cerebral vs. BetterHelp
Explore emotional well-being with BetterHelp – your partner in affordable online therapy. With 30,000+ licensed therapists and plans starting from only $60 per week, BetterHelp makes self-care accessible to all. Complete the questionnaire to match with the right therapist.
Cerebral and BetterHelp stand out as industry leaders, each with its own set of unique features and advantages.
Cerebral’s personalized approach, integrating medication management and therapy, sets it apart as a comprehensive mental health solution.
With a vast network of licensed therapists, BetterHelp ensures that users can find a suitable match based on their preferences and needs. Their monthly subscription includes one weekly live session via live chat, phone, or video call and an option to message your therapist anytime.
Read our BetterHelp review.
Cerebral vs. Amwell
Cerebral and Amwell are two prominent platforms offering individuals the opportunity to receive professional online counseling services.
By connecting users with licensed providers specializing in psychiatry, therapy, and counseling, Cerebral ensures a well-rounded and individualized approach to mental health support. Its primary focus on therapy and medication management may not cater to individuals seeking broader telehealth services beyond mental health concerns.
While Amwell’s wide range of telehealth services makes it a versatile option for individuals seeking access to a broad spectrum of healthcare professionals. Still, Amwell’s availability may vary depending on the user’s geographical location, with services not being accessible in all regions or countries.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, Cerebral Therapy offers a range of online mental health services that can provide valuable support for individuals seeking treatment for common mental health conditions.
While the platform has its pros and cons, it is essential for users to weigh these factors when deciding whether Cerebral is the right choice for their mental health care needs.
Cerebral Therapy can be a great option for those who are looking for a convenient and affordable way to access mental health services. However, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks of the platform before making a decision.
Remember, your mental health journey is unique, and the right solution for you may not be the right fit for everyone.
FAQ
Is Cerebral no longer prescribing Adderall?
Cerebral is not currently prescribing controlled medications such as Adderall due to changes in its team structure. They have shifted their focus away from prescribing controlled medications.
How long are sessions on Cerebral?
Cerebral’s live therapy and psychiatry sessions last for 45 minutes, so you can have detailed and meaningful conversations with your provider.
With a Cerebral plan, you get up to 4 one-on-one sessions with your provider every month. This allows you to build a strong relationship and receive the support you need for long-term mental health.
Is Cerebral a legitimate site?
Yes, Cerebral is a legitimate online therapy and psychiatry platform. They provide access to licensed mental health professionals in all U.S. states, have several subscription plans available, and accept many major health insurance plans.
