Cerebral is a subscription-based platform that offers weekly video or phone therapy sessions, ongoing medication management, and couples therapy. Without insurance, medication management plans cost $180 every three months (i.e., $60 monthly), $175 per therapy session, $365 monthly for medication + therapy, and $325 monthly for couples. It also offers therapy for children and teens in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, with plans to expand state coverage.
Cerebral accepts several insurance plans, which can help reduce costs. It states that the average copay for sessions is around $30.
Cerebral earned 3.5 stars in our independent review. We like how easy it makes getting mental health prescriptions and therapy online and that it has affordable cash-pay and insurance-based prices, but Cerebral faced some controversy in 2022 that involved over-prescribing controlled medications. However, it has since stopped prescribing controlled substances and has taken all necessary action to right its previous issues. While we will continue to keep an eye on its practices, at the moment, we have no reason not to recommend it for those looking for online mental healthcare, especially for those with in-network insurance.
Cerebral at a Glance
Cost: $180 every 3 months for medication; $175 per therapy session; $365 monthly for medication + therapy
Insurance Accepted: Yes
Therapy & Psychiatry: Yes
Pros & Cons of Cerebral
Pros - Affordable cash-pay psychiatry & therapy
- In-network with several insurance plans
- Choose your own provider or be matched
Cons - History of data-sharing issues & legal trouble
- Reports of glitches and bugs in the app
Preview Cerebral
Cerebral is a subscription-based online mental health platform offering individual therapy, couples therapy, and medication management to adults in the US and therapy for children/teens in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, with more states coming soon.
Before insurance, plans cost $180 every three months (i.e., $60 monthly) for medication management (although, if you want to add any face-to-face follow-ups vs. the included provider messaging, it costs an additional $80 per session), $175 per therapy session, and $325 monthly for couples therapy. Users can also get a combined medication + therapy plan, including weekly therapy sessions, for $365 monthly. Cerebral accepts several insurance plans, which can help reduce costs.
Providers on Cerebral can address a range of mental health conditions, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Bipolar disorder
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
In addition to therapy and medication management, the platform includes features like progress tracking, journaling, and meditations.
Cerebral is not suitable for individuals actively experiencing suicidal ideation, recent mental health crises, or severe mental illnesses like psychosis. These clients are encouraged to seek immediate, in-person care, such as emergency services or crisis hotlines.
If you’re looking for a platform that accepts more insurance plans and provides comprehensive care from certified psychiatrists, the best option is Talkiatry, but it doesn’t treat out-of-network patients. Brightside Health is another great option for online mental healthcare, with or without insurance. And for those of you who are looking for short-term solutions (e.g., refills on established medications), consider Doctor on Demand.
Detailed Review of Cerebral
We rated Cerebral 3.5 out of 5 stars. We like the flexibility to choose your own provider or be matched automatically, and with its competitive pricing, moderate insurance acceptance, and recent regulatory compliance, Cerebral is worth consideration.
In 2024, Cerebral resolved a multi-year legal dispute with the FTC, resulting in approximately $7 million in fines. Now, it is positioning itself for a fresh start, emphasizing “safe and secure” mental healthcare.
Review our scoring criteria for online psychiatry platforms here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
Cerebral’s Medication Subscription Plan
Cerebral’s most affordable option, its medication subscription plan, is billed at $180 every three months, coming out to $60 monthly. This is one of the more affordable subscription plans in the online mental health space. Plus, if you have insurance that Cerebral accepts, the cost should be significantly less. You can choose to have your prescription mailed directly to you or sent to your local pharmacy for pickup.
Cerebral’s medication plan includes an initial evaluation with a licensed medical provider who can diagnose and prescribe medication as needed, then the plan offers up to two face-to-face visits per month. Medication costs are billed separately and vary based on your prescription and insurance coverage, though if you pay out-of-pocket then prescription costs are included in the plan when you use Cerebral’s in-house pharmacy.
While Cerebral’s “prescribers”—a group of clinicians made up of physicians, physicians assistants (PAs), and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs)—can prescribe a variety of medications, they no longer offer controlled substances, including stimulants like Adderall for ADHD and benzodiazepines like Xanax.
The plan also includes:
- In-app scheduling for follow-ups
- Monthly progress tracking
- Unlimited messaging with your provider
Our Reviewer’s Firsthand Experience
In our reviewer’s experience, the scheduling process was convenient, and she was able to secure a weekend appointment easily. During the appointment, she discussed her anxiety symptoms and felt that her conversation with the prescriber was really collaborative when determining which prescription would work best for her based on her previous experience and current symptoms and needs. She says she felt seen and heard, and was pleasantly surprised to be able to pick up her medication that very same day.
Therapy Sessions on Cerebral
Cerebral offers a stand-alone therapy plan that costs $175 per visit without insurance. For in-network patients, costs could be significantly lower. Sessions are 60 minutes in length, and they can be scheduled as-needed based on the treatment plan your therapist determines necessary for your care.
Utilizing Cerebral for therapy also gives you access to unlimited messaging with your therapist, plus monthly mental health check-ins that can help you and your therapist adjust your personalized care plan to best suit your goals.
Medication + Therapy Subscription
Cerebral’s Therapy + Medication plan costs $365 monthly. With in-network insurance, it states that copays are typically around ~$30 monthly, though exact prices vary. This plan includes everything that’s in the Medication and Therapy offerings combined, allowing for weekly therapy visits and ongoing access to the medication prescriber.
How Much Does Cerebral Cost?
Here is a breakdown of Cerebral’s cash-pay subscription plans:
- Medication plan: $180 every 3 months
- 40-minute initial evaluation
- Possible diagnosis and prescription
- Ongoing medication management
- Unlimited messaging with your care team
- The option to have your prescriptions mailed directly to you through its in-house pharmacy
- Additional prescriber sessions at $80 each
- Therapy plan: $175 per session; or $795 for 3 months (saves $90)
- Initial evaluation and personalized care plan
- Weekly 45- or 60-minute video therapy sessions (set by your provider)
- Possible diagnosis
- Monthly progress assessments
- Unlimited messaging with your therapist
- Medication + Therapy plan: $365 monthly; or $885 every 3 months (saves you $210)
- Includes everything from both plans
- Couples therapy: $325 monthly
Medication subscriptions include the cost of shipping but do not include the cost of medications, which vary greatly. Medication can be picked up at a local pharmacy, which may be covered by insurance. CerebralRx, the platform’s in-house pharmacy, doesn’t accept insurance. However, HSA/FSA can be used.
Discounts
Cerebral offers discounts for bundling therapy and medication plans together. If you purchase multiple months of service at a time you get a discounted rate. Veterans, active military personnel, and their families also get a 15% discount.
Insurance
Cerebral accepts several major commercial health insurance plans, including:
- Aetna,
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Optum
- United Healthcare
If your health insurance plan is not in-network with Cerebral, it can assist you in using your out-of-network benefits. Check if your insurance benefits are accepted on Cerebral’s insurance partners page.
Out-of-Network Benefits
If your health insurance plan is not in-network with Cerebral, you may still be able to use your insurance to help cover the cost of services. After you pay upfront, Cerebral can provide a superbill. Once you send that to your insurance provider and your claim is processed, they may reimburse you for some or all of the costs of treatment. Cerebral also accepts FSA and HSA for mental health services.
Cerebral User Reviews
Cerebral reviews generally skew positive, but there is a mix. Many people appreciate the convenience and quality of services, but several others mention Cerebral’s ongoing controversy related to prescription practices and data sharing. Others still describe the platform as being much improved since Cerebral settled with the FTC.
Reviews from the Apple App Store | 4.6 out of 5 stars | 32K reviews
Positive reviews from the Apple App Store about Cerebral mention appreciation for Cerebral’s flexibility and consistency. Users noted that they received good-quality care through Cerebral and appreciated the convenience of rescheduling and changing sessions through the app.
Negative reviews from the Apple App Store about Cerebral indicate that some users feel a sense of betrayal about Cerebral’s history of selling protected user data. Others noted problems with customer service and issues getting their prescriptions filled. One reviewer noted that they loved the process of getting care, but that their therapists (they tried multiple) always felt really rushed and would end sessions early.
Reviews from the Google Play Store | 4.4 out of 5 stars | 12.3K reviews
Positive reviews from the Google Play Store indicated that some users felt that Cerebral was worth the cost and that they saw many improvements to their mental health. Others mentioned that the service has been consistent and reliable for them, and that they found providers they loved on the platform.
Negative reviews from the Google Play Store indicated that many users felt as though Cerebral forced them to change providers very frequently. Several recent reviews indicate that staff turnover seems high and care can be inconsistent because of this. Other reviewers noted frustration and concern about the Cerebral data-sharing incident, plus several report issues with their insurance copays being much higher than what they were initially quoted. One reviewer mentioned that their account got deactivated when they were late on a payment.
Reviews from Trustpilot | 4.4 out of 5 stars | 5.3K reviews
Positive reviews from Trustpilot highlight that Cerebral is a highly valuable and convenient tool for receiving mental healthcare. Many users noted that Cerebral has improved considerably over the past couple of years, and many reviews mention individual providers by name, stating how much they’ve been helped.
Negative reviews from Trustpilot often revolve around Cerebral’s cost feeling too high for the services offered. Other negative reviews indicate isolated problems with customer service and individual providers, along with a few mentioning billing issues.
Reviews from Better Business Bureau | 1.02 out of 5 stars | 45 reviews
Positive reviews from BBB include users praising Cerebral’s staff for exceptional service. According to one user, her provider was truly helpful in getting her through “crisis mode,” and she described her experience as efficient, empathic, sincere, and non-judgmental.
Negative reviews from BBB include unwanted charges made on some users’ accounts, along with faulty cost estimates and high insurance copays. Some users expressed their frustration about continuously being charged for a monthly subscription even though they requested their membership to be canceled.
Alternatives & Competitors
While Cerebral offers convenient mental healthcare, its services won’t be right for everyone. For a similarly structured platform that offers plans for medication, therapy, and medication + therapy, try Brightside Health.
If you want to be considered for a prescription of controlled medication, like Adderall, go with Talkiatry or Klarity Health. And if your priority is speed, Circle Medical often offers same-day and next-day appointments for medication.
Most Comprehensive - Brightside Health
Price: $45–$349 monthly
Insurance Accepted: Yes
Therapy & Psychiatry: Yes
Like Cerebral, Brightside Health offers therapy and medication. Brightside’s medication subscription plan costs $95 monthly (although it also offers a cheaper $45/month plan for qualifying established patients); whereas Cerebral’s medication subscription costs $180 billed every three months (i.e., $60 monthly).
Another difference is that Cerebral allows you to select your own provider, whereas Brightside matches you with someone based on an assessment. Whether or not you prefer that will be a matter of personal choice.
Visit our Brightside Health Review to get a better idea of what we like and don’t like about the platform.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Accepts many insurance plans
- Excellent, hands-on care from providers
Cons - Customer service can be slow
- Sessions limited to 30 minutes
Best for More Medication Options - Talkiatry
Price: ~ $30 copay
Insurance Accepted: Yes, exclusively
Therapy & Psychiatry: Yes
We recommend Talkiatry for anyone whose insurance is accepted (it does not accept out-of-network patients). With 300+ psychiatrists under its umbrella, it can prescribe a wider variety than many other psychiatric platforms, including controlled substances like stimulants and benzodiazepines, if clinically appropriate. While therapy is not offered as a standalone service, it is available to existing patients on an as-needed basis.
For more information on this platform, read our full Talkiatry review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Treats children (5+), teens, and adults
- 300+ highly vetted psychiatrists
- Can prescribe controlled medication
Cons - Only accepts in-network patients
- Fees vary based on location & coverage
- Does not offer weekend appts
Same-Day Appointments - Circle Medical
Price: $120–$179 per session
Insurance Accepted: Yes
Therapy & Psychiatry: No (just psychiatry)
Circle Medical is a quick and simple way to see an online primary care provider, often the same-day or next-day after signing up. While providers aren’t able to prescribe controlled substances like Xanax or Adderall, for those looking for other medication prescriptions or refills, meeting with a doctor on Circle Medical could be a seamless solution.
Circle Medical is currently available in 32 US states and takes many major insurance providers, meaning your copay could be quite low if your plan is accepted. Out of pocket costs are in line with other similar platforms, costing $120 to $179 per session depending on the service. While there aren’t any therapists on Circle Medical, your doctor could provide a referral for therapy if necessary.
Learn more in our thorough Circle Medical review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Same-day and next-day appointments often available
- Accepts many insurance plans
- Comprehensive primary care services in one platform
Cons - Not yet available nationwide (32 states so far)
- Does not offer therapy
Why You Can Trust My Review
“As a licensed clinical psychologist and Certified Perinatal Mental Health Provider (PMH-C), I specialize in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and have extensive experience supporting individuals through various mental health challenges. My work includes therapy, advocacy, and writing to increase awareness and accessibility to mental health care. Plus, I’ve reviewed dozens of online mental healthcare providers, giving me a good idea of what’s available today.
In reviewing Cerebral, I found it to be a solid, affordable option, particularly for those paying out-of-pocket. The subscription-based services offer flexibility, and it accepts several major insurance plans. However, due to past legal and ethical concerns and the discontinuation of some services, we rate Cerebral 3.5 out of 5 stars. While not perfect, Cerebral remains a viable option for accessible, low-cost medication management.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cerebral Legit?
Yes, Cerebral is HIPAA-compliant and a legitimate form of mental healthcare. All of your health information is stored in a HIPAA-compliant format and is only available to your care team. You can visit their website for more information about Cerebral Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Details about Cerebral’s FTC settlement and its improved privacy policies can be found in Cerebral’s statement about the settlement.
What Medications Can Cerebral Prescribe?
Cerebral providers typically prescribe SNRIs and SSRIs to treat depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Cerebral does not prescribe any controlled medications for any diagnoses.
What Are Medication Shipping Costs With Cerebral?
Shipping costs are included in your subscription fee, with the actual cost of medications billed separately. You can use your health insurance to pay for your medication or you can choose to pay out-of-pocket. The typical cost per medication is approximately $8, but may be higher for certain medications.
Are Cerebral’s Therapists Vetted?
Cerebral therapists hold master’s or doctoral degrees in counseling, social work, or psychology. They are also required to be licensed in the state in which they practice and see clients. All providers on Cerebral have their license numbers listed in their profiles and you can easily look them up in your state’s mental health provider databases.
Can I Use my HSA or FSA to Pay for Cerebral?
Yes, you may use FSA or HSA funds to pay for Cerebral. To do this, you will input your FSA/HSA account information as your form of payment instead of a credit card. If you need a receipt for reimbursement, you can contact Cerebral and it will provide one.
How Do I Cancel My Cerebral Subscription?
Cerebal now allows you to cancel your subscription directly through the account section of the Cerebral app or website.
Does Cerebral Offer Refunds?
No, Cerebral does not offer refunds on subscriptions or medications already shipped to you. If you have received the wrong medication or have an issue with your order, you can contact Cerebral at [email protected].
ChoosingTherapy.com strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
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(2024, April 15). “Proposed FTC order will prohibit telehealth firm Cerebral from using or disclosing sensitive data for advertising purposes, and require it to pay $7 million.” United States Federal Trade Commission. Retrieved from: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/04/proposed-ftc-order-will-prohibit-telehealth-firm-cerebral-using-or-disclosing-sensitive-data
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Lovett, L. (March 3, 2025). Behavioral Health Business. “Cerebral CEO Steps Down, Founds New Behavioral Health Triage Venture.” Behavioral Health Business. https://bhbusiness.com/2025/03/03/cerebral-ceo-steps-down-founds-new-behavioral-health-triage-venture/
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Rueger, A. (December 2025). Brightside Health Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & My Experience. ChoosingTherapy.com. Retrieved from: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/brightside-health-review/
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Church, M. (October 2025). Talkiatry Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & My Experience. ChoosingTherapy.com. Retrieved from: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/talkiatry-review/
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Lieberman, A. (January 2026). Circle Medical Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & My Experience. ChoosingTherapy.com. Retrieved from: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/circle-medical-review/
We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.
Author: Emily Guarnotta, PsyD. (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, M.D. (No change)
Primary Changes: Updated therapy pricing from monthly to per-session model; Added information about child/teen counseling; Updated user reviews; Fact-checked and edited entire article for readability and clarity.
Author: Emily Guarnotta, PsyD. (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, M.D. (No change)
Primary Changes: Edited for accuracy and clarity; updated ratings and reviews; removed News & History section; updated pricing, specifically the Medication plan, from $95 monthly to $180 every three months.
Author: Emily Guarnotta, PsyD. (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, M.D. (No change)
Primary Changes: Fact-checked all information; updated data about user reviews; added new information to News & History regarding Cerebral’s CEO, David Mou, stepping down; added detail about CerebralRx, the platform’s internal pharmacy; added out–of-network costs.
Author: Emily Guarnotta, PsyD. (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, M.D. (No change)
Primary Changes: Added details to History & News that Cerebral CEO Dr. David Mou is stepping down; in the interim, Brain Reinken, former board member, is acting as CEO.
Author: Emily Guarnotta, PsyD. (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, M.D. (No change)
Primary Changes: Fact-checked all information; updated where necessary to improve factual accuracy and readability; updated formatting.
Author: Emily Guarnotta, PsyD. (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, M.D. (No change)
Primary Changes: Updated information about Cerebral based on communication with company representative. Updated information about medication costs, canceling services, changing therapists, the privacy lawsuit and FTC settlement, and onboarding process changes. Fact-checked and verified for accuracy. Added “Firsthand Experiences” section. Reformatted and updated “User Reviews” section.
Author: Emily Guarnotta, PsyD. (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, M.D. (No change)
Primary Changes: Added review summary block, revised star rating based on Cerebral’s most up-to-date service offerings, fact-checked and updated content throughout. Added to the News & History section a summary of Cerebral’s recent legal problems. Updated insurance information based on Cerebral’s published insurance payor partners. Updated pricing plans to reflect Cerebral’s most recent plan prices.
Author: Emily Guarnotta, PsyD. (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, M.D. (No change)
Primary Changes: Reassessment of Cerebral & 1st person appointment impression; Moved miscellaneous information to FAQ sections; Updated cost; Updated screenshots/images; Added summary chart; Deleted programs no longer offered, added removed services to “History”; added latest news about Cerebral to “History”
Author: Emily Guarnotta, PsyD.
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, M.D.
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