Cerebral Online Therapy & Counseling Services Review 2023

Leigh Morgan
Leigh Morgan
Last updated:
Erin L. George, MFT
Erin L. George, MFT
Medical editor
MentalHelp independently researches, tests, and reviews products and services which may benefit our readers. Where indicated by “Medically Reviewed by”, Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. If you buy something through our links, or engage with a provider, we may earn a commission.

Virtual therapy and medication management devoted to your mental health

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Some of our MentalHelp recommendations, including Cerebral, may also be affiliates, and as such we may receive compensation from them if you purchase products or services through the links provided

Online Therapy With Medication Management

Cerebral

  • Support for a wide variety of mental health conditions
  • Therapists with experience treating substance use disorders
  • Accepts an array of private health insurance

Editor’s rating

8

Telemedicine

At A Glance

Cerebral offers online therapy, medication management, and medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder (with availability dependent on the client’s geographic location). All services are delivered 100% online, making Cerebral a convenient option for busy adults seeking comprehensive mental health care.

Each online counselor uses evidence-based approaches to help people struggling to manage their symptoms and improve their coping skills. Depending on your needs, your virtual therapist may use psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization reprocessing, or dialectical behavior therapy.

Pros

  • Prescription medications available
  • Support for a wide variety of mental health conditions
  • Therapists with experience treating substance use disorders
  • Video and telephone therapy options
  • Care management available

Cons

  • Doesn’t accept clients under the age of 18
  • Stipulates that clients with insurance must attend video therapy sessions
  • May take up to 7 days to schedule the first appointment with a prescriber
  • Only offers non-stimulant treatments for ADHD
  • Bills medications separately from therapy and care management services

Online Therapy Review: Cerebral

Are Cerebral Online Therapy Online Therapists Licensed?

All Cerebral online therapists are either licensed or in the process of obtaining a professional license. Some therapists have associate-level licenses, which allow them to practice under the supervision of a clinical professional while they work toward full licensure. 

To provide therapy services via Cerebral, each therapist must have some type of graduate degree, such as a doctorate in psychology, a master’s in social work, or a master’s degree in education.

Cerebral Therapy

Cerebral Online Therapy Treatment Types Offered

Cerebral offers three types of treatment:

  • Online therapy services
  • Medication management
  • Medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders

Once you’re matched with a Cerebral therapist, you’ll work together to find the right therapeutic approach. As your symptoms improve, your therapist may use a different technique to help you learn new strategies for coping with stressful circumstances. Cerebral offers virtual therapy for the following conditions:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Alcohol use disorder
  • Postpartum depression
  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Insomnia
  • Opioid use disorder

The Cerebral Care plan sometimes combines online counseling services with medication to address symptoms. If a prescriber believes that you’d benefit from prescription treatment, Cerebral ships the medication to you each month. You’ll also work with an online counselor to achieve your mental health goals.

Cerebral offers medication-assisted treatment for people with opioid use disorders. Medication-assisted treatment involves taking a medication called Suboxone. This medication binds with opioid receptors in your brain, helping reduce cravings. The less you crave opioids, the more likely you are to recover from your opioid use disorder.

You can’t get Suboxone from a mail-order pharmacy, so if your Cerebral prescriber thinks you’re a good candidate for the drug, they’ll send a prescription to a pharmacy in your area.

Things to Know About Cerebral Online Therapy

If you want to sign up for online therapy services, medication management, or medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, you’ll need to fill out a free emotional assessment. It takes up to 7 days for Cerebral to match a new client with one of its licensed prescribers. Once you’re enrolled, your therapist may use cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization reprocessing, dialectical behavior therapy, or other therapeutic approaches to help you have more good days.

MentalHelp independently researches, tests, reviews, and recommends the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Ad
Some of our MentalHelp recommendations, including Cerebral, may also be affiliates, and as such we may receive compensation from them if you purchase products or services through the links provided

Online Therapy With Medication Management

Cerebral

  • Support for a wide variety of mental health conditions
  • Therapists with experience treating substance use disorders
  • Accepts an array of private health insurance

Editor’s rating

8

Telemedicine

Cerebral Reviews: Pros and Cons of Cerebral

Types of Sessions Available on Cerebral Online Therapy

Cerebral offers video and telephone therapy sessions.

How Long Are the Sessions?

Each therapy session lasts for 45 minutes.

How to Schedule Online Therapy With Cerebral?

To schedule your first appointment, fill out the free emotional assessment, and wait to be matched with a therapist. After you connect with your therapist for the first time, you’ll be able to schedule weekly appointments.

Does Cerebral Offer Group Sessions?

As of November 2022, Cerebral doesn’t offer group sessions. This includes couples counseling and family therapy.

Cerebral Online Therapy Pricing & Special Offers

The Medication + Care Management plan starts at $99 per month. This plan is the least expensive because it doesn’t include online therapy services. The Therapy plan starts at $259 per month, while the Medication + Therapy plan starts at $325 per month.

Cerebral includes the cost of shipping in its Medication + Care Management and Medication + Therapy plans, but it bills separately for the medications themselves. Many medications cost just $10 per month for self-pay patients, but some prescriptions cost more.

If Cerebral is in-network with your insurance plan, your subscription fee is just $30 per month. This doesn’t include medication co-pays. If there are additional charges, you’re responsible for paying them.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Cerebral offers its virtual counseling services on a month-to-month basis. You can cancel at any time without penalty, but you can’t get your money back for the unused days in your last month of service.

Do They Accept Insurance or Medicaid?

Cerebral doesn’t accept Medicaid. It does accept private health insurance from companies such as Anthem, Cigna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Do They Offer Financial Aid?

Cerebral doesn’t offer financial aid.

What’s Unique About Cerebral?

Cerebral is one of the few online therapy services to offer medication management and MAT for opioid use disorders. Although the platform isn’t available overseas, it’s now offering online counseling and other services to users in all 50 states.

Cerebral Customer Service and Support

Cerebral offers customer support via email, telephone and text message.

Final Words

Cerebral Online Therapy has a robust platform that makes it easy to connect with therapists and medication prescribers. Unlike many other online therapy services, Cerebral accepts commercial health insurance, making it easier to access care.

MentalHelp independently researches, tests, reviews, and recommends the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Ad
Some of our MentalHelp recommendations, including Cerebral, may also be affiliates, and as such we may receive compensation from them if you purchase products or services through the links provided

Online Therapy With Medication Management

Cerebral

  • Support for a wide variety of mental health conditions
  • Therapists with experience treating substance use disorders
  • Accepts an array of private health insurance

Editor’s rating

8

Telemedicine

Frequently Asked Questions

Cerebral starts at $99 to $325 per month, depending on which plan you select. These prices don’t include the cost of medications.

The Therapy and Medication + Therapy plans include up to four therapy sessions per month.

Each therapy session lasts for 45 minutes.

Yes. Cerebral accepts several private insurance plans.

Yes. Cerebral vets its therapists and prescribers carefully. All therapists are licensed or working toward a license under the supervision of a clinical professional.

Send an email to [email protected] or call/text (415) 403-2156.

Cerebral occasionally offers discount codes to new subscribers.

You don’t need a prescription to use the service or receive medications. Cerebral has its own trained providers who work with you to prescribe the right medications.

No, Cerebral cannot prescribe controlled drugs like Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin. Many other medications are available, though.

Cerebral Customer Reviews

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Cerebral

Editor's rating

8

Telemedicine