Cerebral is a subscription-based therapy and psychiatry platform that earned a 3.5 out of 5-star rating in our independent review. The platform offers weekly video or phone therapy sessions, ongoing medication management, and even couples therapy. Subscription plans range from $95 – $365 monthly. It also accepts several insurance plans, which can help reduce costs.
Editor's Note
Cerebral recently settled a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigation into concerns over data sharing and prescription practices. As part of the settlement, it paid a $7 million fine and committed to strengthening consumer protection, privacy, compliance, and data security measures.
While Cerebral still provides medication management, it no longer prescribes controlled substances, including stimulants like Adderall.
Cerebral at a Glance
Cost: $95 – $365 monthly
Insurance Accepted: Yes
Therapy & Psychiatry: Yes
Pros & Cons of Cerebral
Pros - Affordable cash-pay psychiatry & therapy
- In-network with several insurance plans
- Accepts HSA & FSA for payment
- Discounts for bundling medication & therapy
- Choose your own provider or be matched
Cons - Only accepts a few insurance plans
- 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 that offers individual therapy, couples therapy, and psychiatry to adults throughout the US.
All therapy sessions are 45 minutes and initial psychiatry appointments are 30 minutes. You can attend your appointments via video or phone. Cerebral costs range from $95 – $365 monthly, depending on the level of care you need.
The prescribers at Cererbal are licensed medical professionals, including physicians (MDs or DOs), nurse practitioners, and physician assistants (PA) with specialized training in psychiatry. They treat anxiety, depression, insomnia, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and more. In addition to offering therapy and medication management, Cerebral’s platform includes features like progress tracking, journaling, and meditations.
If you’re looking for a platform that accepts insurance and provides more comprehensive care from certified psychiatrists, the best option is Talkiatry, which works with insurance exclusively.
Brightside Health is another fantastic option, with or without insurance. For those of you who are only looking for short-term solutions for refills on established medications, then Nurx may be a good fit.
Detailed Review of Cerebral
We rated Cerebral 3.5 out of 5 stars. The company recently resolved a multi-year legal dispute with the FTC, resulting in approximately $7 million in fines. Now, with that chapter behind them, Cerebral is positioning itself for a fresh start, emphasizing “safe and secure” mental healthcare.
During our review, we appreciated the flexibility to choose your own provider or be matched automatically, as well as the discounts available for bundling therapy with psychiatry. With competitive pricing and moderate insurance acceptance, Cerebral remains a viable option for many. However, given its recent legal history, we recommend proceeding with caution and staying informed.
Review our scoring criteria for online psychiatry platforms here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
Medication Subscription
Cerebral’s medication subscription plan is its most affordable option, costing $95 monthly. If you have insurance that Cerebral accepts, the cost drops to around $30 per month. However, medication costs are billed separately and vary based on your prescription and insurance coverage. While Cerebral’s prescribers can prescribe a variety of medications, they no longer offer controlled substances, including stimulants and benzodiazepines.
How it Works
With this plan, you’ll receive an initial evaluation (about 30 minutes) with a licensed medical provider who can diagnose and prescribe medication if needed. Your prescription can be mailed directly to you or sent to your local pharmacy for pickup.
The plan also includes:
- In-app scheduling for follow-ups
- Progress tracking and messaging with your care team
- Self-care tools, including a journal and learning modules
Cerebral allows you to choose your own provider from a list of licensed medical professionals, including physicians (MDs/DOs), nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician assistants (PAs) with specialized training in psychiatry.
Follow-up appointments last about 15 minutes and are typically scheduled monthly, though your provider may adjust the frequency based on your needs. If you have any concerns between visits, you can message your care team through the app, and they will relay questions to your provider.
A Firsthand Experience
One of our Mental Health Technology Editors, Caitlin, found the scheduling process convenient, even securing a weekend appointment that fit her schedule. At the time of her session, she simply logged into the Cerebral app and clicked the home screen link, which took her to a virtual waiting room. Though her prescriber was running behind, they messaged her with an update.
During her appointment, Caitlin discussed her anxiety symptoms and worked collaboratively with the provider to decide on Hydroxyzine as the best option. She was pleasantly surprised that she didn’t have to wait for her medication to arrive in the mail—she was able to pick it up the same day at her local pharmacy.
Overall, Caitlin described her experience as genuinely amazing, noting that it was the first time she felt truly heard by a prescriber, rather than just being treated based on her assessment scores.
Therapy Subscription
Cerebral offers a stand-alone therapy plan that costs $295 monthly for people without insurance and $30 for anyone using in-network insurance. Much like the Medication + Therapy plan, you will get four 45-minute video or phone sessions per month with a therapist of your choice. It also includes unlimited messaging with your therapist between live sessions and activities, like the learning lessons and journal.
Medication + Therapy Subscription
Cerebral’s Therapy + Medication plan costs $365 monthly for people without insurance and ~$30 monthly for anyone in-network. This plan includes ongoing visits with a prescriber, weekly therapy sessions with a licensed therapist, unlimited messaging, and medication delivery, combining all the benefits of the medication-only and therapy-only plans. In comparison, Brightside Health has the same plan type and costs $349 monthly, meaning Cerebral is slightly more expensive.
Cerebral’s therapy plans include weekly 45-minute video or phone sessions with a licensed therapist, plus in-app messaging, progress tracking, and self-care tools like journaling and learning modules. During sign-up, you’ll receive a list of therapists based on your preferences and can view availability and book appointments directly through the app or website. Some providers even offer next-day and weekend availability.
How Much Does it Cost?
Cerebral costs $95 – $365 monthly depending on which subscription plan you choose. If Cerebral is in-network with your insurance company, the plans will cost ~$30 monthly. Medication subscriptions include the cost of shipping fees but do not include the cost of medications, which start at $8.
Cerebral’s subscription plans are:
- Medication Plan: $95 monthly
- Therapy Plan: $295 monthly
- Medication + Therapy Plan: $365 monthly
- Couples Therapy: $325 monthly
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. 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.
Cerebral states that it accepts certain insurance plans from the following companies, among others:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- UnitedHealthcare
- Optum
Cerebral will assist you in verifying your insurance coverage once you sign up for an account.
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 you with a superbill that you will submit to your insurance company if you have out-of-network benefits. Once your claim is processed, your insurance company may reimburse you for some or all of the costs. Cerebral also accepts FSA and HSA for mental health services.
Who Does it Serve?
Cerebral serves adults aged 18 and older. Cerebral is available in every US state, including Washington D.C. Cerebral’s therapists and prescribers can only provide care to clients residing in the state where they are licensed. Scheduling capacity and availability for individual therapists and medication prescribers may vary depending on location.
Cerebral addresses a range of mental health conditions, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Bipolar disorder
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Cerebral is not suitable for individuals actively experiencing suicidal ideation, recent crises, or severe mental illnesses like psychosis. These clients are encouraged to seek immediate, in-person care, such as emergency services or crisis hotlines.
User Reviews
Reviews from the Apple App Store | 4.6 out of 5 stars | 30.7K reviews
Positive reviews from the Apple App Store about Cerebral indicate that many users appreciated Cerebral’s flexibility and consistency. Users noted that they received good-quality care through Cerebral and appreciated that convenience for rescheduling and changing sessions.
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 unreliable service with some prescribers.
Reviews from the Google Play Store | 4.3 out of 5 stars | 12K 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.
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.
Reviews from Trustpilot | 4.2 out of 5 stars | 5.1K reviews
Positive reviews from Trustpilot about Cerebral indicate that many users feel as though 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.
Negative reviews from Trustpilot about Cerebral indicate that several users feel that Cerebral’s cost is too high for the service that is offered. Other negative reviews indicated isolated problems with customer service and individual providers.
Reviews from Better Business Bureau| 1.05 out of 5 stars | 118 reviews
Positive reviews from BBB about Cerebral include users praising their staff’s 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 about Cerebral include unwanted charges made on some users’ accounts. Users expressed their frustration about continuously being charged for a monthly subscription even though they requested their membership to be canceled.
Alternatives & Competitors
When it comes to comparing platforms, Cerebral has several competitors that could be more appropriate for you, depending on your needs.
Most Reliable - Talkspace
Price: $276 – $436 monthly
Insurance Accepted: Yes
Therapy & Psychiatry: Yes
Talkspace is arguably one of the biggest online therapy and psychiatry platforms available to consumers in the United States. And while Cerebral is also available in every state in the US, Talkspace has been around much longer and is viewed as a very reliable brand. With Talkspace, you will choose your provider from your top three matches, and therapy and psychiatry exist as separate plans. There is not a bundled option of the two offerings, like with Cerebral, which means Talkspace is potentially much more expensive out-of-pocket than Cerebral.
Cerebral and Talkspace also have different ways of billing for psychiatric care. Out-of-pocket costs for an initial evaluation with Talkspace are $299 and follow-up appointments cost $175. Cerebral, on the other hand, charges a monthly subscription fee with shipping for medication included.
Both Talkspace and Cerebral accept insurance, which could lower the out-of-pocket costs and may make them quite comparable in price. However, if you are only seeking medication management, Cerebral’s Medication Plan is only $95 monthly, making it a cost-effective option.
To help you make your decision, read our Talkspace Review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Accepts many insurances
- Also offers therapy
Cons - Not much control over initial therapist choice
- Fewer psychiatrists than therapists
Most Comprehensive - Brightside Health
Price: $45 – $349 monthly
Insurance Accepted: Yes
Therapy & Psychiatry: Yes
Like Cerebral, Brightside Health offers therapy and medication. The costs for the medication-only plans with Brightside Health and Cerebral are the same at $95 monthly, although Brightside offers a maintenance plan for established patients that only costs $45 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.
Overall, Brightside provides a wider scope of care, including psychiatry, therapy, Crisis Care for individuals with elevated suicide risk, and Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP) for substance user disorder (SUD). It also uses its own AI-driven technology, PrecisionRx, to assist licensed psychiatric providers in prescribing the most effective medicine from 1,000 medication/dose combinations.
Visit our Brightside Health Review to get a better idea of what we like and don’t like about Brightside.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Accepts many insurance plans
- Excellent, hands-on care from providers
Cons - Customer service can be slow
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.
In reviewing Cerebral, I found it to be a solid, affordable option, particularly for those paying out-of-pocket. Their subscription-based therapy and psychiatry 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 recently adjusted their rating to 3.5 out of 5 stars. While not perfect, Cerebral remains a viable option for accessible, low-cost medication management.”
History & News About Cerebral
Year Founded: 2020
CEO: David Reinken
Headquarters: Claymont, Delaware
Public or Private: Private
Cerebral was founded in January 2020 to expand access to affordable, high-quality mental health care. In May 2022, CEO Kyle Robertson resigned following a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into potential violations related to prescribing controlled substances. Dr. David Mou, then chief medical officer, stepped in as CEO.3
In September 2022, Cerebral came under further scrutiny for failing to verify patient IDs during a surge in demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This lapse proved critical when a 17-year-old, prescribed an antidepressant with known adolescent risks, died by suicide. The company had not obtained parental consent, later claiming the teen misrepresented his age and that the treatment was appropriate, despite acknowledging the failure.4
In April 2024, the FTC fined Cerebral $7 million for mishandling user data and misleading practices around prescriptions. The company is now subject to restrictions on data use and must make it easier for users to cancel services. A portion of the fine was deferred due to Cerebral’s inability to pay in full. The FTC noted the company was cooperative, and Cerebral stated the settlement allows it to move forward with enhanced privacy, security, and transparency measures.5,6
In a statement, a Cerebral representative said the following: “We are pleased to report that Cerebral has reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission to close its investigation into the company. As part of the resolution, Cerebral has agreed to implement enhanced consumer protection, privacy, and compliance measures to further protect the personal information of our clients, increase transparency into our data practices, and implement enhanced data security protocols and tools to allow our clients control over their privacy settings.”7
Early in 2025, Cerebral partnered with the San Antonio Spurs to expand affordable mental health access across Texas.8 Later, in March, Dr. David Mou stepped down as CEO and returned to his role as chief medical officer. Former board member Brian Reinken is acting as interim CEO and president.9
Frequently Asked Questions
What Insurance Companies Does Cerebral Work With?
According to a Cerebral representative, these are the insurance companies that Cerebral currently works with:
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia:
- Medication-Only: GA
- Cigna:
- Medication & Therapy: AZ, CA, FL, GA, IL, NY, PA, TX, VA, WA
- Blue Shield of California:
- Medication & Therapy: CA
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois:
- Medication & Therapy: IL
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas:
- Medication & Therapy: TX
- Blue Cross Network (BCN) of Michigan:
- Medication & Therapy: MI
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arkansas:
- Medication-Only: AR
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska:
- Medication-Only: NE
- Capital Blue Cross and Blue Shield:
- Medication & Therapy: PA
- CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield:
- Medication-Only: DC, MD
- Highmark – Blue Cross and Blue Shield:
- Medication & Therapy: PA
- Medication-Only: WV
- Humana:
- Medication-Only: KY
- United Healthcare/Optum:
- Medication & Therapy: CA, FL, LA, NC, ND, NH, NY, OK, OR, PA, SD, TX, WA, WY
- Therapy-Only: ME, NE, RI
- Medication-Only: AR, AL, AZ, CO, DC, GA, HI, KS, KY, MD, MI, MN, MT, NM, NV, OH, UT, VA, WI
Who Is Eligible for Medication with Cerebral?
Medication management is available for individuals 18 years and older who live in the United States.
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 You Choose a New Therapist?
If you would like to choose a new therapist, you are able to self-select a new one through the client portal in the Cerebral app or website. If you need extra help, your care team will assist you in how to select a new therapist.
Can I Use my HSA or FSA?
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].
Is Cerebral Legit and HIPAA-Compliant?
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.
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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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Medication-assisted treatment. Retrieved from: https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment
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National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019). Treatment approaches for drug addiction DrugFacts. Retrieved from: https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction
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Olsen, E. (2022, May 25). Cerebral announces transformation plan amid controlled substance scrutiny. Mobi Health News. Retrieved from: https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/cerebral-announces-transformation-plan-amid-controlled-substance-scrutiny
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Safdar, K. (2022, Sept 29) Cerebral Treated a 17-Year-Old Without His Parents’ Consent. They Found Out the Day He Died. The Wallstreet Journal. Retrieved from: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cerebral-treated-a-17-year-old-without-his-parents-consent-they-found-out-the-day-he-died-11664416497
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United States Federal Trade Commission. (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. FTC Press Releases. 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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(April 15, 2024). Cerebral reaches settlement with FTC. Cerebral. https://cerebral.com/cerebral-reaches-settlement-with-the-ftc
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Healthcare Dive. (Nov. 6, 2024) “Telehealth company Cerebral to pay nearly $3.7M over prescribing practices” Retrieved from: https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/cerebral-controlled-substance-prescribing-fine-doj-dea/732108/
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Business Wire. (Jan. 15, 2025). “Cerebral Partners with the San Antonio Spurs to Expand In-Network Access to High-Quality Mental Health Care Across Texas.” Retrieved from: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250115248680/en/Cerebral-Partners-with-the-San-Antonio-Spurs-to-Expand-In-Network-Access-to-High-Quality-Mental-Health-Care-Across-Texas
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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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Church, M. (March 14, 2025). “Talkspace Review 2025: Pros & Cons, Cost, & My Experience” ChoosingTherapy.com. https://www.choosingtherapy.com/talkspace-review/
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Church, M. (March 18, 2025). “Brightside Health Review 2025: Pros & Cons, Cost, & My Experience.” ChoosingTherapy.com https://www.choosingtherapy.com/brightside-health-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: 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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