Cerebral App Review: Can It Support Your Mental Health Needs?

Finding online therapy could instantly boost your emotional state. 

You can speak to medical professionals just by clicking on a simple app. This form of therapy is great for people who don’t want to travel or converse with strangers in person. A licensed therapist will support your mental health concerns by arranging video calls and meetings.

The Cerebral app is a classic example of online therapy. It contains plenty of therapy sessions, therapeutic techniques, and potential treatment options for a range of mental health conditions. Learning more about this app can help you determine whether it suits your preferences.

In this review, we delve deeper into the pros and cons of using Cerebral.

What Is the Cerebral App?

Cerebral is an online therapy app that provides depression, anxiety, and insomnia treatment for customers. You get comprehensive access to medication management and a care counselor who can arrange meetings, discuss behavioral health techniques, and just listen to your needs.

The brand offers expert care from medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. People need to pay a monthly fee when using these features. This app has a telemedicine format that makes social connections easy, leading to better scheduling when booking appointments.

This app is all about giving people the “care they need” from the comfort of their homes. Features such as medication management and care counselor sessions may boost your mental state. All of the independent nurse practitioners create a safe mental health space for everyone. 

Cerebral will only provide these services to people aged 18 and older. This is to ensure they have the right treatment for a range of mental health conditions. Any scheduled meetings are available by video or phone, and you can choose your provider after making an account.

⭐ Rating	3.8
🔔 Age limitations	18+
🍎 Operational system	iOS and Android
🧰️ Ability to pause the plan?	No
💰 Price	From $85 a month

Who Is the Cerebral App for?

Cerebral is for people over the age of 18 who want to receive treatment for depression, anxiety, insomnia, trauma, chronic stress, or bipolar disorder. You can get prescribed medication to reduce negative symptoms and a care counselor who encourages open communication. 

Of course, this app is also there for general support. People without a diagnosed mental illness who are currently going through high stress may use this online mental health platform. Cerebral therapists and care counselors can offer you the ideal therapy sessions. 

Who shouldn’t use Cerebral? 

Cerebral is not suitable for those with severe mental illness. This could be manic episodes, suicidal ideation, borderline personality disorder, substance use, and schizophrenia. Your dedicated mental health professional from the Cerebral team is not permitted to treat or diagnose these conditions. 

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also stay away from this app. Any woman going through pregnancy needs to talk to her local doctor about possible treatment options. Customers will be notified about these precautions before signing up for a prescription plan. 

Cerebral App Pros

You can study the pros of Cerebral to determine whether it’s a suitable commitment. There are many advantages when it comes to using an online therapy platform. 

Here are the pros of Cerebral: 

#1 Easy to sign up and use

The Cerebral app has a quick sign-up process for all new users. You don’t need to spend ages answering questions about your personal information or going through extensive assessments. Cerebral is simple for everyone, meaning you won’t have a hard time navigating the features. 

#2 Various pricing plans

Cerebral has many pricing plans that contain health insurance as well. People can opt for therapy only or medication management with care treatment. The Cerebral website is a great place to view the different costs and make your decision before getting a subscription. 

#3 Covered by many insurance companies

You can gain insurance benefits if Cerebral is in-network with your insurance provider. This is something you should research before committing to the app. Remember that having an insurance company gets you cheaper monthly discounts for therapy and medication. 

#4 Accessible mental healthcare

Gaining care is easy when booking appointments and speaking to a therapist. The health professionals are there to make you feel loved and supported. Studies have proved that smartphone-based apps encourage people to express their emotions and thoughts more. 

Cerebral App Cons

Cerebral online therapy does have drawbacks that you need to consider beforehand. This is important for people who have a budget and want to be safe when purchasing a subscription. 

Below are the cons of using Cerebral: 

#1 Currently under federal investigation

Cerebral is currently under federal investigation due to its unethical prescribing practices. The Department of Justice (DOJ) believes they may have committed possible violations of the Controlled Substances Act, which is something to remember before using this app. 

#2 Complicated to switch therapists

Some users have reported how complicated it is to switch therapists. You can’t easily request another therapist, especially if the customer response time is slow. So, if you were paired with someone you couldn’t connect with, it would be challenging to find another option. 

#3 Only offers individual counseling

You can’t get couples therapy for relationship PTSD or trauma bonding. The same goes for big support groups or family-based sessions. Cerebral offers individual counseling only, which might be limited for people who need that extra support when attending talk therapy services.

How Does the Cerebral App Work?

You have to sign up and complete an assessment before using the features. This app might suggest treatment plans according to your current mental state. For example, people going through a stressful midlife crisis may get a therapy-only plan to express their feelings. 

Some of the beginner steps comprise: 

• Selecting a relevant treatment 
• Completing the assessment questions
• Finding a subscription plan
• Choosing from the list of providers 
• Scheduling an appointment
• Gaining prescribed medicine 
• Requesting medication shipment 
• Arranging follow-up appointments

People can view their medical appointments on the main page and communicate with therapists through video or phone. There are therapy, care counseling, and medication shipments for qualified plans, making Cerebral perfect for people who want to receive care at home. 

A study found that social connection is key to enhancing your mood. Regularly communicating with someone about your problems is very important. This is why Cerebral works to give you suitable care while checking in on your current mental well-being. 

The Cerebral app is often compared with Talkspace or Brightside as they have similar features and services. Each person may have a different situation and may choose another app to better fit their needs.

How to Use the Cerebral App?

Navigating the app is straightforward for both beginners and regulars. There are a number of pointers that guide your personal journey. Don’t forget that every plan is different according to your health and treatment, so the features may seem disparate compared to others. 

Here are ways you can use the app depending on your plan: 

Medication + care management: Your prescriber will offer treatment and medication as appropriate. They provide support and arrange follow-up appointments when necessary. You can ask questions or request adjustments to your current treatment plan while using the app.

Medication + therapy plan: The prescriber will prescribe medicine and offer evidence-based strategies for helping you cope. Some of these might be cognitive behavioral therapy. You might learn deep emotional and cognitive skills that prevent self-destructive behaviors. 

Therapy plan: This plan allows more engagement with your therapist. They can help people stop believing in the loser mindset when it comes to low self-worth. Once you subscribe to the app, you have the option to choose from a wide variety of independent therapists. 

Medication-assisted treatment plan: You will meet regularly with a prescriber to create a personalized treatment. A professional can only determine which medicine is suitable. They send the desired medication to your home address or a local pharmacy for pick-up. 

Nutritional-only plan: The nutrition services focus more on your physical well-being. You can learn about the best nutrition for improving your energy and sleep. Cerebral will connect you with a professional dietitian for one-on-one meetings and visual food or water trackers.

Does Cerebral Take Insurance?

Cerebral does work with major health insurance companies. This can help customers get coverage and reimbursements while using the app. If you don’t have insurance, prescriptions and pricing plans might be more expensive, depending on the treatment you want. 

Any plan with insurance will cost you $30 a month in total. Of course, not everyone has this kind of insurance. Therefore, Cerebral has an out-of-network assistance program that offers reimbursements for most members, which saves between 30% and 60% on the subscription cost. 

What insurance does Cerebral accept? 

People who are with insurance companies can get their subscriptions for $30. This doesn’t cover prescriptions or copays. Cerebral has to be in-network with these companies, and there are only certain states, like North Carolina, that will accept one or two insurance companies. 

These are the insurances Cerebral will accept:

• Aetna 
• Blue Cross Blue Shield 
• Cigna 
• Medicare 

How Much Does Cerebral Cost?

There are several plans you can get when purchasing Cerebral. You should always look into the memberships before making a long-term commitment to this online therapy brand. New users can also get the first month cheaper before the price returns to normal in the following months.

Here are some of the pricing plans: 

• Medication and care counseling plan: $85 a month, $30 for the first month
• Medication and therapy plan: $325 a month, $139 for the first month
• Therapy plan: $259 a month, $99 for the first month
• Nutrition-only plan: $69 a month
• Medication-assisted treatment plan: $250 a month

FAQs

Cerebral vs. Competitors 

Read more: 7 Best Cerebral Alternatives to Invigorate Your Mental Health

How We Tested Cerebral 

Testing an app is important for determining its good and bad traits. You might discover potential benefits that could suit your mental health needs. We put Cerebral to the ultimate test by studying the brand, evaluating the features, and rating the overall effectiveness of therapy. 

Below are factors we considered in more detail: 

Quality 7/10

Some of the features are high-quality when it comes to online therapy. You can quickly sign up and search through a wide variety of licensed therapists. This means the features are also beginner-friendly, but adding more content to the app could boost this overall rating. 

Effectiveness 7/10

Cerebral is a standard therapy app that could improve your mental well-being. The lack of educational guidance and daily interaction may cause people to forget about their appointments. However, good scheduling for live chat sessions gives users the care they need. 

Price 8/10

One great thing about Cerebral is that the plans are cheaper than alternatives in the current wellness market. There are many apps that want over $300 a month for just therapy. You can choose this app if you need something inexpensive that doesn’t require a yearly commitment. 

Brand Reputation 7/10

The Cerebral brand has an inconsistent reputation when it comes to the app. They are currently being investigated for their practices on the Controlled Substances Act. However, Cerebral hasn’t been accused of violating any laws at this time, meaning they’re still offering services. 

Conclusion

So, is the Cerebral app worth it? 

Cerebral has a good therapy plan with easy medication management. Similarly to its competitor services, like Brightside, you can gain mental healthcare for depression, insomnia, anxiety, or chronic stress. However, due to it being under federal investigation, you might not feel comfortable trusting the brand at this current time.

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