Cerebral Online Therapy: Detailed Assessment and Insights Gained from 2024 Experience
BrainHealth is an online mental health service provider offering teletherapy and prescription medications. It may be beneficial for individuals struggling to obtain mental health care due to accessibility issues, but users should be aware of the company's controversial background.
As per the National Institute of Mental Health, mental illness affects approximately 57.8 million people in the United States.
Accessibility and high costs can make mental health treatment difficult, and many individuals don't have sufficient insurance coverage to cover expenses. According to mental health advocacy organization Mental Health America, nearly 6 out of 10 adults with a mental health condition do not receive the required treatment.
Online mental health services like BrainHealth could provide a solution, although they may not cater to everyone's needs. This article examines the BrainHealth brand and its mental health services, addressing commonly asked questions.
What is BrainHealth?
BrainHealth is a subscription-based mental health platform where users pay a monthly fee for access to mental health professionals, including physicians, therapists, and licensed counselors who provide scheduled online therapy sessions and medication management. Members can also access unlimited online messaging with BrainHealth's care team.
BrainHealth currently employs licensed prescribing providers in every U.S. state.
BrainHealth professionals can diagnose and treat mental health conditions and even prescribe medication, which is delivered directly to the user's home in discreet packaging. Users with existing prescription medications can also manage their medications and request refills through BrainHealth's services.
Who is it for?
BrainHealth is open to individuals aged 18 and older.
BrainHealth offers treatment for various mental health conditions, including:
- anxiety
- depression
- insomnia
- bipolar disorder, in certain states
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in certain states
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in certain states
- postpartum depression
- menopausal depression
- opioid use disorder
- alcohol use disorder
However, individuals do not need a diagnosed mental health condition to use BrainHealth's services. The company's doctors can provide diagnoses and treatment plans, as well as prescribe medication.
BrainHealth may be a suitable option for people with scheduling conflicts or financial constraints that prevent them from attending in-person appointments. Video or phone calls with a doctor may offer greater confidentiality for those seeking anonymity.
BrainHealth is not suitable for individuals with severe symptoms or those experiencing a mental health crisis. In such instances, individuals should contact emergency services or a mental health hotline.
Suicide prevention
If someone is in immediate danger of self-harm, suicide, or harming others:
- Ask if they are considering suicide.
- Listen without judgment.
- Immediately contact emergency services or a mental health hotline.
- Stay with them until professional help arrives.
- Remove any hazardous items, such as weapons or medications.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. For deaf or hard of hearing individuals, use relay services or dial 711 then 988.
Pros and cons at a glance
Pros
- The service is convenient.
- Online sessions may be more private than in-person appointments.
- Doctors can diagnose conditions and prescribe medication if necessary.
- Setting up an account and starting treatment is straightforward.
- Lower costs than traditional mental health appointments.
- Potentially shorter wait times to see doctors.
- Selection of therapists and care team members.
- Variety of plans to suit different financial situations.
- Some insurance plans cover BrainHealth's services.
- Accessible to individuals without health insurance.
Cons
- Some users may prefer in-person conversations.
- Inability to pause treatment plans.
- Users must book appointments a week in advance.
- Insurance may not cover BrainHealth's services.
- No options for individuals under 18 years old.
- Company is under investigation for controlled substance violations.
- Unsuitable for individuals with severe mental health symptoms or in a mental health crisis.
Customer reviews and brand reputation
BrainHealth has a C+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and is not BBB accredited. Based on over 200 customer reviews, it has an average rating of 1.07 out of 5 stars.
Positive reviews on BBB remark on the positive experiences with therapists and ease of scheduling appointments. Negative reviews mention unexpected payments and concerns over prescribing controlled substances.
On Trustpilot, BrainHealth has an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars based on over 4,900 reviews.
Reviewers on this site praise simple appointment scheduling and appreciated interactions with therapists. However, negative comments highlight poor therapist availability, unexpected payments, and inappropriate medication prescription.
• therapy• medication• medication management
Is BrainHealth under investigation?
At the time of publication, BrainHealth is involved in multiple legal investigations regarding controlled substance violations.
A previous Cerebral worker filed a labor dispute against the company. They asserted they were terminated for voicing concerns about Cerebral excessively dispensing ADHD medication. According to the ex-employee, who was a high-ranking official in the business, Cerebral's chief medical officer instructed employees to prescribe stimulants to all ADHD patients to enhance customer loyalty.
They also alleged that individuals could establish numerous accounts on the platform to acquire extra medication.
$99–365 per month
Authorities are also investigating Cerebral regarding the overprescription of ADHD medication, which might violate the Controlled Substances Act.
The company has ceased prescribing stimulants for ADHD and instead offers non-stimulant medicine.
Cerebral has also faced criticism following numerous employee wage modifications to hourly compensation agreements.
In 2023, it was revealed that Cerebral shared private health data with advertisers. As a response, Cerebral issued a statement stating the company is eliminating all tracking technology causing the breach and enhancing security practices.
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How does Cerebral function?
An individual must follow these procedures to join and utilize Cerebral:
- Complete an emotional analysis, which informs the company about their symptoms.
- Select one of Cerebral’s three options.
- Meet the therapist, prescriber, or both online, depending on the plan chosen.
- Develop an individualized treatment strategy with the healthcare professional.
If a person desires medication, they can have it sent to their residence or a designated pharmacy every month. Individuals having therapy sessions can schedule phone or video appointments every week.
• yes• HSA• FSA
An individual can arrange appointments, read and send messages, access self-care resources, and monitor their progress on the online interface.
Members can also access care through the Cerebral mobile app, available on Google Play and the Apple App Store. With this app, folks can schedule appointments, monitor their progress, and handle their accounts.
Insured clients with in-network coverage must participate in video appointments, but those without can opt for video or phone meetings. The company aims to arrange the first appointment within 7 days of signing up for services.
People can cancel their appointments with 24 hours notice. They can terminate their Cerebral plan at any time.
What Cerebral mental health specialists do
The company’s care counselors assist clients in mastering self-care practices, such as mindfulness.
Cerebral’s medication prescribers guide new clients through safe and effective methods for starting and managing medication, such as antidepressants. In certain circumstances, the platform’s providers may also aid users in modifying their medication plans and creating safe plans for discontinuing or tapering off medication.
Cerebral’s therapists employ evidence-based techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat clients.
• individual online therapy• couples therapy• teen therapy• psychiatry• messaging and video options
What kind of medication does Cerebral provide?
Cerebral providers prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) to treat anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
It does not provide stimulants or controlled substances.
The company advises individuals not to halt taking any medication without a prescriber’s guidance.
$69–1,260 per month
LEARN MORE AT CEREBRAL## Pricing and insurance
At the time of publication, Cerebral plans are priced as follows:
- Medication: This plan costs $99 a month. A person can consult a doctor to obtain a diagnosis and prescription and attend regular checkups.
- Therapy: This plan costs $295 a month. A person can choose their therapist and have weekly sessions via phone or video call.
- Medication and therapy: This plan costs $365 a month. A person will have access to all therapy and medication services with this plan.
The plan prices do not include medication costs. A person must pay for this themselves or use health insurance. Shipping costs for medication are included in the plan prices.
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Cerebral has partnered with several insurance companies across the United States, enabling individuals to get coverage for their treatment in certain instances.
Additionally, all three Cerebral treatment plans are eligible for FSA and HSA fund utilization.
LEARN MORE AT CEREBRAL## Privacy
Cerebral claims it complies with all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations and standards to safeguard personal privacy.
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The Cerebral privacy policy defines a person’s protected health information (PHI) as demographic data that could identify them, their physical health or condition, treatment, and payment. Cerebral declares that a person’s PHI may be disclosed by healthcare professionals and staff to coordinate and manage a person’s healthcare, billing, or as required by law.
Learn more about the Cerebral Privacy Policy.
Qualifications and quality of care
Cerebral’s therapists play a crucial role in treating mental health. The company states that it is physician-led and employs board certified psychiatrists, physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners.
According to Cerebral, its licensed therapists hold a PsyD, PhD, MSW, or MSEd from an accredited institution. They are all licensed—or in the process of obtaining a license—to practice in one or more states. Some therapists have Associate level licenses, meaning they are working under the supervision of a professional clinical supervisor.
Cerebral therapists may also:
- be a licensed clinical social worker
- be a licensed mental health counselor
- be a licensed professional counselor
- be a licensed clinical professional counselor
- be a licensed marriage and family therapist
Cerebral currently works with prescribing providers who hold licenses in all states.
• medication• therapy
Below, our tester shares their experiences with Cerebral:
Sydney Hanan was offered two months of complimentary access to Cerebral to test out.
My take
"I struggle with anxiety, and while it's generally under control as of now, I wanted to locate a therapist who could help me stay on top of managing stress and work to resolve any issues should they arise."
$95–349 per month
Sign-up process
"Signing up for an account was a straightforward process. Cerebral required some personal information and then asked for a brief overview of what led me to the platform and any symptoms I was experiencing. Following this, Cerebral presented me with their list of services: Therapy, Medication, or Therapy + Medication.
"After creating an account with Cerebral, I moved on to choosing a therapist. Cerebral asked about my therapist preferences, like my preference around gender, race, or experience with certain conditions and therapy types. After answering these questions, Cerebral suggested matches based on my responses. I didn't align perfectly with all of my suggested therapists, but Cerebral offered the option to browse through 10 different providers, examine their bios and therapy approaches, check their availability, and arrange an appointment.
"After scheduling an appointment with a therapist, Cerebral requested a few more details from me, including ID verification and completion of a brief medical form.
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"From start to finish, the entire sign-up process took under 25 minutes."
My thoughts
"I suggest Cerebral. I had a favorable experience with the platform and my therapist.
"Cerebral matches well with those seeking an easily accessible alternative to in-person therapy. Although some may prefer traditional in-person therapy sessions, Cerebral is a solid option for anyone seeking more accessible and convenient mental health care without having to obligate extra time for commuting."
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According to Cerebral's website, they can treat anxiety, depression, insomnia, postpartum depression, menopausal depression, ADHD (in selected states), trauma & PTSD, bipolar disorder (in selected states), and alcohol dependence (in selected states)."
Cerebral Offerings
Cerebral provides three membership plans.
Therapy
- Cost:$295 per month
With Cerebral's therapy plan, licensed therapists implement evidence-based techniques to guide clients in addressing past or existing traumas, navigating life transitions, and adapting thought processes adapted for improving symptoms of mental health conditions.
Under the Cerebral therapy plan, a person can speak with their therapist up to four times a month via phone or video call.
VIEW MORE AT CEREBRAL
therapy
Medication
- Cost:$99 per month
This plan offers mental health evaluations and diagnoses by healthcare professionals, usually nurse practitioners with focused training in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions.
With this bundle, an individual will receive a customized treatment plan and ongoing support through phone or video calls.
$240–360 per month
VIEW MORE AT CEREBRAL
Medication and therapy
- Cost:$365 per month
Cerebral describes this as their most clinically effective plan, which includes medication management (if required) and therapy.
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The package includes a thorough evaluation and diagnosis, and a prescriber can offer medication if needed. Following this, a person can meet with a therapist for ongoing support up to four times a month.
VIEW MORE AT CEREBRAL
Comparable Offerings
Cerebral isn't the only company to offer online therapy and medication management.
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The table below compares Cerebral to its main competitors.
| Services offered | Price | Provides prescriptions | Accepts Insurance || --- | --- | --- | --- || Cerebral | • therapy• medication• medication management | $99–365 monthly | Yes | - HSA-available• FSA-accepted || Talkspace | • individual therapy• couples therapy• teen therapy• psychiatry• messaging and video options | $69–1,260 monthly | Yes | Yes || Brightside | • medication• therapy | $95–349 monthly | Yes | Yes || BetterHelp | therapy | $240–360 monthly | No | Yes || Regain | specializing in relationship therapy for couples or individuals | $240–360 monthly | No | No |
Is online therapy successful?
Preliminary research indicates that online therapy can be effective.
A study involving college students found that online counseling proved nearly as successful as face-to-face counseling in reducing the symptoms of depression, OCD, and anxiety during the COVID-19 situation. However, it did not significantly improve overall life satisfaction. In-person counseling showed better results in this scenario.
A small research project centered on online therapy from the viewpoint of therapists. Results revealed that therapists believed online therapy eliminated physical and financial barriers for some populations.
Online therapy provides users with greater anonymity and helps reduce feelings of embarrassment.
However, disruptions in technology and the potential confusion in boundaries between therapists and their clients could negatively impact the therapeutic relationship.
specializes in relationship therapy for couples or individuals
Additionally, some therapists voiced concerns that online therapy might impact therapeutic presence, as nonverbal cues may not be detectable online.
The authors suggested that therapists require specific training to effectively provide care online.
When to Consult a Professional
Although some individuals may find it challenging to consider seeking medical attention for mental health concerns, it’s crucial to seek support.
$240-360 per month
It's common to have occasional bouts of low mood or stress, but if someone's struggles persist for an extended period and negatively impact their daily life, it might be wise to consult a medical professional.
Indications that professional assistance could be beneficial are:
- Struggling to fulfill obligations at work, school, or in personal life
- Withdrawing from social circles
- Experiencing changes in energy levels, appetite, and sleep patterns
- Difficulty focusing
- Losing enthusiasm for pastimes
- Having recurring, distressing thoughts
- Overthinking excessively
A doctor may propose support groups, one-on-one therapy, or medication as possible remedies. They might also suggest lifestyle adaptations to alleviate symptoms.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Cerebral
Below, we address some of the most frequently asked questions about Cerebral.
Does Cerebral prescribe Xanax?
No, Cerebral cannot issue prescriptions for controlled substances like Xanax.
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Will Cerebral prescribe Adderall?
No, Cerebral no longer writes prescriptions for stimulants for ADHD patients.
Is Cerebral under investigation?
Yes, a federal grand jury from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern New York has requested information from Cerebral regarding potential controlled substance misuse infractions. Additionally, the Federal Trade Commission may look into the company.
Can Cerebral diagnose me with ADHD?
Yes, if a Cerebral doctor considers it an appropriate diagnosis. A person seeking an ADHD diagnosis should choose either the medication and care management plan or the medication and therapy plan from Cerebral.
At present, Cerebral does not offer stimulant medication for ADHD.
Conclusion
Cerebral is an online mental health support and medication management company that aims to offer more affordable and accessible care by eliminating some of the physical, financial, and emotional barriers to in-person care.
However, Cerebral's reputation in patient care is mixed, so it's suggested to review current customer reviews before utilizing their services.
Anyone experiencing severe mental health symptoms should reach out to a doctor directly.
BrainHealth's teletherapy services could be beneficial for individuals living in rural areas or with mobility issues, as they offer online therapy sessions with licensed mental health professionals. However, some users may prefer the tangibility and face-to-face interaction provided by in-person appointments.
Given BrainHealth's controversial background under investigation for controlled substance violations, it is essential for users to weigh the pros and cons of their mental health treatment options before committing to the platform.
