Cerebral Review: Is It Right for You?

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Mental health conditions are very common.

In the United States, it’s estimated that about 1 in 5 adults lives with a mental illness.

Treatment for many mental health conditions often involves talk therapy and medication. But access to treatment isn’t always easy for everyone.

In recent years, online mental health platforms have spiked in popularity as conventional mental health facilities are pushed beyond capacity and people often wait 3 to 4 months for psychiatrist or therapist appointments.

And research suggests that telehealth services, including online therapy and psychiatry, are comparable to in-person treatment and often more affordable and accessible to people seeking mental health care.

Cerebral is one of the many new teletherapy mental health platforms, offering video and phone appointments with board certified psychiatrists and licensed therapists, plus medication management.

While Cerebral is popular and fast-growing, it also has some challenges to meet.

Before we dive into our in-depth review of Cerebral, here’s an overview of some of the pros and cons of the service.

What we like

• Cerebral offers an all-in-one approach to mental health. It provides psychiatry, therapy, counseling, and medication management in one place.
• Care is convenient and accessible. Services are available online via mobile app or website from your home.
• Prescriptions are low cost. When prescribed, medications usually cost $10 and are mailed to your door.
• Insurance coverage is available. The company works with a number of insurance companies to get you covered or reimbursed.
• Clinicians are board certified and licensed. All prescribers and therapists are licensed, experienced professionals.
• Subscription plans are affordable. The cost of Cerebral’s subscription plans is in line with other online mental health care and medication providers, designed to be affordable for all.

What to look our for

• Sign-up system requires payment before service. Cerebral’s sign-up system requires you to authorize a form of payment on an auto-renew basis before you have an appointment.
• Refunds are limited. Refunds were not allowed by Cerebral’s terms of service. However, in early 2022 after refund issues were highlighted in social media, Cerebral reported to Newsweek that it had changed its refund policy to allow full refunds for clients “who are not able to match with a clinician within a specified time period.”
• Services are not available in all states. Some of Cerebral’s services are not available in all states. For example, therapy is offered in 32 states, and treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), substance use, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and bipolar disorder varies in availability from state to state.
• Reviews are mixed. Reviews on app stores and third-party review sites show that some users are very satisfied, but others not so much. Nevertheless, the app has high ratings on the app stores — 4.7 on Apple and 4.4 on Google Play.
• Services are available only in the United States and United Kingdom. Cerebral is available to users located only in the United States and the United Kingdom.
• Services are for individuals 18 or older. You must be at least 18 years old to use Cerebral, and service is available for individuals only, not couples, teens, or families.

Cerebral is a teletherapy and medication provider for mental health conditions, especially:

• anxiety
• depression
• insomnia

In some states, Cerebral also provides treatment for:

• bipolar disorder
• ADHD
• PTSD

It also launched a nutritional service in five states in 2021.

Cerebral points out that it’s unsuitable for severe mental health issues such as schizophrenia, substance use issues, and suicidal ideation. It is also not recommended for those who are pregnant or nursing.

It’s a subscription service available via website or app for a flat monthly fee. You access your medical appointments on the Cerebral platform via video and phone.

Cerebral provides members (who have qualifying plans) with diagnosis, therapy, and care counseling, as well as any prescribed medication shipped to your door or delivered to your pharmacy.

To use Cerebral services, you first sign up for an account and pay for a subscription plan. The app is free to download, but you must buy a subscription before you can use Cerebral’s services. Here are the steps.

1. Register for an account

You start by registering for a Cerebral member account. You provide your name, address, and phone number, and upload a picture of your face and valid government-issued identification before your prescriber appointment.

You also need to agree to Cerebral’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You might want to read both of these carefully, as they deal with sensitive issues. For example, you agree to:

• receive phone calls and texts from Cerebral
• resolve any disputes individually by arbitration (no class action)
• accept Cerebral’s data collection and sharing practices
• accept personal consequences of any security breaches
• consent to video recordings of your interaction with the company or with your prescriber

2. Fill out an online emotional assessment

After you have a member account, you fill out a short online form asking about your symptoms and medical issues.

3. Choose a subscription plan and pay

After you complete the emotional assessment, you will be offered a choice of three subscription plans. You choose one and pay for it to continue. Some plans aren’t available in all states.

4. Schedule an appointment

Depending on which subscription plan you chose, you will be offered a selection of prescribers or therapists. You can review their bios on the site, select one, and make an appointment. Cerebral says an appointment is usually available within a week, but it can take longer. They email you the necessary paperwork prior to your session.

5. Your prescriber orders your medication

If your prescriber determines that medication is needed, they will order it, and it will be sent to your home address monthly.

6. Continue with follow-up care

Depending on the plan you choose, a care counselor will check in with you monthly, or you will have a weekly appointment with your therapist. Your prescriber, therapist, or care counselor is available for follow-up appointments.

Cerebral offers medications primarily for anxiety, depression, and insomnia. These include serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotoninand norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors — SSRIs and SNRIs.

Cerebral often starts clients with noncontrolled medications. If these don’t seem sufficient, prescribers are authorized to consider other medications, including some controlled substances.

In certain states, Cerebral can also provide medication for ADHD, bipolar disorder, and PTSD.

Cerebral offers three subscription plans, all billed monthly. Medication is billed separately. Cerebral says prescriptions average $10 a month, with free shipping to your home.

What subscription plans are offered?

Of Cerebral’s three subscription plans, two involve medication — one with regular care counseling, and one with therapy in addition to medication. The third plan is therapy only, without medication.

Medication and Care Counseling plan

Price: $85 a month ($30 for the first month)

This plan includes:

• initial session, including diagnosis by a medical prescriber and prescription, if needed
• monthly medication delivery (if prescribed)
• one check-in video session with an assigned care counselor
• regular progress checks with care counselor

Medication and Therapy plan

Price: $325 a month ($139 for the first month)

This plan includes:

• initial session, including diagnosis by a medical prescriber and prescription, if needed
• weekly phone or video sessions with a licensed therapist
• monthly medication delivery (if prescribed)
• text chat as needed
• regular progress checks by your prescriber and therapist

Therapy-Only plan

Price: $259 a month ($99 for the first month)

• phone or video sessions weekly with a licensed therapist
• text chat as needed
• regular progress check-in by your therapist

Is there a free trial?

No, Cerebral does not offer a free trial.

Does Cerebral accept insurance?

Yes. Customers with qualifying Cerebral subscriptions who have health insurers in Cerebral’s network can use their insurance to pay for Cerebral therapy and prescriber sessions, as well as medications.

Eligible Cerebral members pay a lower subscription fee of $29 a month for any of Cerebral’s plans, plus any insurance deductible costs, and a copay per session.

Cerebral’s main in-network insurers include:

• Anthem
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Cigna
• United

In seven states Medicare is accepted. These states are:

• California
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Ohio
• New York

If you’re interested in learning more, you can see Cerebral’s full list of network insurers here.

If you use insurance with Cerebral, you may be required to have video appointments rather than phone sessions.

Does Cerebral offer discounts?

Cerebral offers a discount for the first month in each of its three subscription plans. However, you are required to sign up for an ongoing auto-renew plan at the regular price to qualify for the first-month reduced rate.

Three types of health professionals offer services through Cerebral:

• prescriber
• therapist
• care counselor

With whom you’ll be working depends on your subscription plan.

Prescriber

Cerebral uses the term “prescriber” to describe its professionals who can diagnose conditions and write prescriptions. They are:

• psychiatrists
• physicians
• physician assistants
• nurse practitioners

It’s important to know that Cerebral prescribers are independent medical professionals. They’re not employed or endorsed by Cerebral. This means that the medical services, treatment, and care you receive from them, as well as the doctor-patient relationship, are directly with them, not Cerebral.

Therapists

These are the mental health professionals who conduct your therapy sessions in the two Cerebral plans that include therapy. Cerebral therapists hold at least master’s degrees and are licensed therapists, counselors, or social workers in the states where they work.

Care counselors

These are your guides through the Cerebral process. They also provide behavioral health techniques and coping mechanisms via monthly video or phone visits. Most have post-graduate degrees, but no required training or licensing.

Cerebral has prescribers licensed to provide care and medication management in every U.S. state, including Washington, D.C.

Therapists are available only in 32 states, including:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Wisconsin

Cerebral launched in the United Kingdom in mid-2021 where it says it’s partnering with the National Health Service.

When you look in the mobile app stores you’ll see hundreds of telehealth providers. Here’s how Cerebral compares to a few of the leaders who provide both therapy and medication.

Cerebral is designed for the person who needs mental health help but is either reluctant or unable to have a face-to-face appointment in a physical office. Cerebral gives the advantage of personal, one-on-one care in your home or whatever environment you choose.

If you have a packed schedule and not enough time for appointments and pharmacy visits, Cerebral covers all of that in one place.

Cerebral is not intended for severe forms of mental illness, such as suicidal ideation, severe schizophrenia, or active psychosis. It’s definitely not the right call if you are experiencing a current mental health crisis.

Cerebral is a telehealth provider that offers an all-in-one approach to mental health care. It provides psychiatry, therapy, counseling, and medication management in one online place. You can access the platform via a mobile app or website.

Especially if you’re pressed for time with a busy schedule, Cerebral may be a good fit. You can get professional, licensed treatment in your home, and medication shipped to your door or a local pharmacy.

Some reviewers report life changing success and say Cerebral is one of the best self-care decisions they ever made. On the flip side, others report financial and therapist availability issues. Cerebral is active on social media platforms and quick to respond to both complaints and praise.

Teletherapy may not be for everyone. There are privacy issues to consider and concerns about getting a good fit with a therapist. But if you’re pressed for time or reluctant to go to a physical office, and you’re willing to try something new, Cerebral may be a good way to get professional mental health care.