Cerebral and BetterHelp are both popular online therapy platforms, though their offerings are somewhat different. Cerebral offers medication on top of therapy, while BetterHelp provides more “extras” like group therapy sessions and a dedicated journaling space in the app. BetterHelp is a bit more affordable if you’re paying out of pocket, but Cerebral is in-network with many major insurance providers, plus it offers medication.
We just re-tested both platforms for 2026, and we were pretty impressed with BetterHelp’s current matching algorithm, as it landed our reviewer with a great therapist on the first try. Plus, its therapist network is much larger than Cerebral’s. However, for those looking for both medication and therapy on one platform, Cerebral could be a great fit, especially if it’s in-network with your insurance.
Editor's Notes
We regularly review and update our content to ensure the most accurate and up-to-date information. After our most recent round of reviews, not much has changed with either platform.
We maintain that BetterHelp is likely a better fit for those paying out-of-pocket for therapy, while Cerebral is a decent choice for people with in-network insurance and for those who are also looking for medication management.
Cerebral has recently added therapy for children and teens to its offerings, though this service is currently only available in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. BetterHelp offers therapy to teens aged 13–17 through its subsidiary, TeenCounseling.com.
Compare BetterHelp Vs. Cerebral
| Services Offered | Individual and couples therapy, medication management, child/teen therapy in select states | Individual therapy, teen therapy, couples therapy |
| Cost | $60–$365 monthly | $260–$400 monthly |
| Session Options | Video and phone sessions, plus messaging between sessions | Video, phone, and live messaging sessions, plus messaging between sessions |
| Insurance Accepted? |  | Extremely limited |
| Offers Financial Aid? |  | |
| Offers Medications? | | |
| Geographic Availability | USA & UK | USA & International |
| Get Started | Visit Cerebral | Visit BetterHelp |
| Services Offered | |
| Individual and couples therapy, medication management, child/teen therapy in select states | Individual therapy, teen therapy, couples therapy |
| Cost | |
| $60–$365 monthly | $260–$400 monthly |
| Session Options | |
| Video and phone sessions, plus messaging between sessions | Video, phone, and live messaging sessions, plus messaging between sessions |
| Insurance Accepted? | |
| | Extremely limited |
| Offers Financial Aid? | |
| | |
| Offers Medications? | |
| | |
| Geographic Availability | |
| USA & UK | USA & International |
| Get Started | |
| Visit Cerebral | Visit BetterHelp |
Cerebral Vs. BetterHelp: Key Factors & Differences
Cerebral and BetterHelp are both online therapy platforms that operate in all 50 US states. Cerebral also offers its services in the UK and BetterHelp provides therapy in over 200 countries worldwide. BetterHelp offers therapy for adults, teens, and couples through its various subsidiary brands and has just started accepting very limited insurance coverage in select states.
Meanwhile, Cerebral offers therapy for individual adults and couples, as well as medication management. Cerebral accepts several major insurance providers which can help significantly reduce costs, likely making it a better choice for those with in-network plans.
Price: $60 monthly for medication; Up to $365 monthly for bundled medication + therapy
Insurance Accepted: Yes
Medication Management: Yes
Age Limitations: 18+ (child/teen therapy available in select states)
Cerebral lets you choose from four different subscription plans when you sign up: Medication, individual therapy, medication + therapy, or couples therapy. Since Cerebral accepts some insurance plans, we highly recommend checking with your provider about what might be covered and what your copays will be before signing up.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Therapy & medication management available
- Accepts several insurance plans
- Four subscriptions to choose from
Cons - Some users report issues with billing and customer service
- History of legal issues, though currently all resolved
Cost
Cerebral costs $60–$365 monthly depending on your subscription plan. If Cerebral is in-network with your insurance company, the plans will likely cost about $30 monthly in addition to any co-pays for your visits and medication. Medication subscriptions include the cost of shipping fees but do not include the cost of medications, which can vary depending on your prescription.
Here are the four plans Cerebral offers:
- Medication, $60 monthly (billed as $180 every three months): Includes a 30-minute initial consultation, a 15-minute intake follow-up, and up to two provider check-ins per month. The cost of medication is billed separately. Unlimited messaging with your provider is included.
- Therapy, $175 per session: Set the frequency of your sessions based on what would be best for your needs, and pay per-session instead of on a subscription plan.
- Medication + Therapy Plan, $365 monthly: Includes everything offered in the medication and therapy plans, offering weekly therapy visits.
- Couples Therapy, $325 monthly: Weekly 45-minute couples therapy sessions, includes a treatment plan and regular check-ins.
Overview
Cerebral is a subscription-based online mental health platform that offers therapy and psychiatry to adults throughout the United States, plus child/teen therapy in select states with plans to grow this program. You can choose to attend your appointments either via video or phone call. With Cerebral, you will be able to choose from several subscription plans as well as select your own provider after you sign up.
Depending on which plan you select, costs range from $60–$365 monthly, or a flat $175 rate per therapy session. With insurance, these costs could be much lower. Cerebral states that the average copay per therapy or medication visit is about $30.
Cerebral has had some controversies over the past few years, the biggest being that it was accused of over-prescribing controlled medications in 2022. It no longer offers controlled medication prescriptions (including drugs like Adderall and Xanax), and it has resolved all of its issues with the DOJ as of 2024.
To learn more about the sign-up process and what to expect, read our in-depth review of Cerebral.
Cerebral Extra Features
Cerebral offers self-care tools in its app under a tab called “Learn.” You will have some assigned work to complete, but you can also explore what else there is in the “Discover” section. Here you will find learning modules on topics like “What Is Anxiety?,” “What is CBT?,” and “Goal Setting.”
There are also grounding techniques, a journaling tab, and two cognitive behavioral therapy worksheets to complete. You can even listen to a meditation, a visualization practice, or a progressive muscle relaxation exercise.
Price: $260–$400 monthly
Insurance Accepted: Extremely limited
Medication Management: No
Age Limitations: 18+ (13+ through its subsidiary TeenCounseling.com)
BetterHelp’s monthly cost makes it one of the most affordable cash-pay online therapy options out there. For those without insurance, this could be a good way to go. There’s also financial aid available for students, veterans, and those going through difficult times.
We appreciate BetterHelp’s thorough-but-not-overwhelming intake process that matched our reviewer with a great therapist on the first try. Plus, it has lots of helpful “extras” for those on their mental health journey, including journaling, worksheets, and free weekly group sessions including in the subscription cost.
Since BetterHelp doesn’t offer medication management, it’s best for those who don’t need prescriptions or are fine with using multiple platforms for their mental healthcare.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Therapy is available in all US States and internationally
- Offers financial aid
- Accurate therapist matching algorithm
Cons - Extremely limited insurance acceptance
- No medication management available
Cost
BetterHelp costs range from $260–$400 monthly (advertised at $65–$100 weekly), with the ultimate cost depending on your location and therapist availability.
BetterHelp’s therapy subscription includes:
- One weekly video, phone, or text-based therapy session
- Ability to text with your therapist at any time (responses can be expected at least once daily)
- An in-app journal that you can keep discreet or share with your therapist
- Optional weekly group sessions where you can meet with others going through similar situations, such as depression, parenting, queer support, and more
Those who have been previous BetterHelp clients may be offered a “maintenance plan” which costs $200 monthly (advertised at $50 weekly). This plan includes text, video, and audio messages with your therapist plus one live session every month.
If you can’t afford therapy, BetterHelp offers financial aid to those who meet certain income criteria, as well as automatic discounts for students and veterans.
Overview
BetterHelp is an online therapy platform that can connect you with a licensed counselor or therapist incredibly quickly. The intake form took our reviewer about 15 minutes to fill out, and it felt more thorough than many online therapy platforms that she’d sign up for. This led her to a really great therapist match immediately, though BetterHelp also makes it really easy to switch therapists if you don’t get a good fit right away.
BetterHelp has one subscription option, which includes a weekly video, phone, or live texting session, plus the ability to message your therapist anytime between sessions, with therapists typically responding within 24 hours. A BetterHelp subscription also provides access to its journaling tool and optional group therapy sessions.
Currently, BetterHelp does not prescribe medication, and it has only just started accepting very limited insurance plans in select states. Through subsidiary brands Teen Counseling and Regain, BetterHelp also offers therapy for teens and couples. When I used BetterHelp, I thought the service offered a lot of value for the cost. Plus, if you can’t afford therapy, BetterHelp offers financial aid to those who qualify.
BetterHelp’s therapy subscription includes:
- One weekly video, phone, or text therapy session.
- Ability to message your therapist at any time (responses can be expected at least once daily).
- An in-app journal that you can keep discreet or share with your therapist.
- Group webinars to attend on topics like anxiety, stress, depression, and more.
To learn more about its sign-up process, you can read our in-depth review of BetterHelp.
BetterHelp Extra Features
The “Journal” section gives you journal prompt suggestions, with options to shuffle or see all. There are quite a few journal prompts to choose from in categories like depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and general suggestions, or you can just start writing.
You can choose to share these journal entries with your therapist or keep them to yourself. You also do not have to use the journal prompts and, instead, can treat this as a free writing space.
BetterHelp’s group sessions offer the chance to meet with others dealing with similar mental health topics, including depression, relationships, trauma, anxiety, parenting, and skill-building. These sessions don’t replace therapy, but are run by a licensed BetterHelp therapist who can help navigate the discussion and ensure everyone gets a chance to share. One weekly group session is included in your subscription.
BetterHelp’s app also includes a “goal-setting” tool, which helps you think through and set achievable goals to work toward during your therapy journey. Unlike the journaling tab which lets you choose whether or not to share your entries, your goals get shared with your therapist automatically.
Who Might Need an Alternative to Cerebral or BetterHelp?
While Cerebral and BetterHelp can help individuals over 18 with mild to moderate mental health symptoms, these platforms will not be ideal for those with more severe symptoms or those under 18 years old. Plus, if you have mental health insurance but Cerebral isn’t in-network with your plan, it’s likely worth it to look elsewhere.
Get ADHD Treatment With These Alternatives
Both BetterHelp and Cerebral can help treat the symptoms of ADHD, but if you’re looking for in-depth diagnostics and treatment, there are better options available. Talkiatry is one of our favorite providers that offers ADHD care with its thorough approach. Circle Medical is another option that provides comprehensive help with online ADHD management.
Get Help for Children & Teens With These Alternatives
While BetterHelp does have a teen therapy option, called Teen Counseling, it is only available to teens 13 years and older. Cerebral has just started adding therapy for children as young as six, though this service is currently only available in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
For kids and teens younger than 13, a great online therapy and medication management option is Bend Health. While it’s not currently available nationwide, we also recommend Manatee Health.
Get In-Person Therapy With These Alternatives
Online therapy and psychiatry can come off as cold and disconnecting for some people. For those who would prefer to see a provider face-to-face, we recommend exploring an online therapist directory. Directories can help you find someone close to your location and there are filters available to find particular specialties. Another great option is Thriveworks, which offers in-person services in certain cities. Grow Therapy also offers a directory that includes in-person therapists.
Cerebral Vs. BetterHelp Vs. Talkspace
Cerebral, BetterHelp, and Talkspace are some of the biggest names in the online mental healthcare world. All three platforms offer therapy to individuals over the age of 18 across all 50 US states. However, Cerebral and Talkspace both offer medication management and accept insurance, while BetterHelp does not offer medication and has incredibly limited insurance coverage, though it states it is actively increasing its network.
Cerebral and Talkspace both offer out-of-pocket payment options for medication management. An initial evaluation with Talkspace is $299 and follow-up appointments cost $175. Cerebral, on the other hand, charges a monthly subscription fee (of $60 monthly if you only need medication management) 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, Talkspace accepts significantly more insurance plans than Cerebral does, so if Cerebral is out-of-network it’s worth checking Talkspace.
If you are only seeking medication management, Cerebral’s Medication Management Plan is only $60 monthly (billed at $180 every three months), making it a really affordable option that offers more relative value than BetterHelp or Talkspace. If you have insurance, though, you might be better off with Talkspace.
We do think BetterHelp is a good option for those new to therapy who are willing to pay out-of-pocket and who aren’t looking for medication management. Its matching algorithm and extra features are quite excellent compared to both Cerebral and Talkspace.
To learn more about how its online platform works, you can read our in-depth review of Talkspace.
So Which Is Better, BetterHelp or Cerebral?
“In terms of therapy subscriptions, these two companies are tied. BetterHelp will likely be more affordable for those paying with cash, but Cerebral could be more affordable for those with in-network insurance. But if we take into consideration that Cerebral offers a subscription that combines therapy and medication management, that could make it a more attractive option for those needing mental health medication. Oftentimes, people with moderate mental health symptoms will feel better faster if they combine therapy and medication.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Online Therapy & Psychiatry Right For?
Online therapy and online psychiatry are great for people who are new to both and have mild to moderate mental health symptoms. Utilizing these services online can save you money and time. Having the convenience of attending sessions and appointments from the comfort of your own home can easily outweigh any qualms you may have.
What Credentials Do Cerebral & BetterHelp Therapists/Providers Hold?
All therapists and counselors on BetterHelp and Cerebral are licensed and accredited psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, or professional therapists.
Do BetterHelp & Cerebral Accept Insurance?
Cerebral accepts insurance from several major insurance companies. BetterHelp has just started accepting a few insurance plans in select states, but users can expect to pay with cash for the foreseeable future. However, it does offer financial aid through the BetterHelp financial assistance program.
Can Cerebral & BetterHelp Prescribe Medication?
Cerebral has providers who can prescribe medications but BetterHelp does not prescribe medications.
Is Cerebral the Same as BetterHelp?
No, Cerebral and BetterHelp are not the same—they are separate companies with different services offered. BetterHelp offers therapy, whereas Cerebral offers both therapy and medication management.
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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Rueger, A. (December 2025). BetterHelp Review: Cost, Pros & Cons, & My Experience. ChoosingTherapy.com. Retrieved from https://www.choosingtherapy.com/betterhelp-review/
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Guarnotta, Emily. (January 2026). Cerebral Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & Who It’s Right For. ChoosingTherapy.com. Retrieved from https://www.choosingtherapy.com/cerebral-review/
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BetterHelp. (2025). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from https://www.betterhelp.com/faq/
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Cerebral. (2025). Our Services. Retrieved from https://cerebral.com/plans
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Cerebral. (2025). Plans, Costs & Insurance. Retrieved from https://cerebral.com/faqs/plans-costs-insurance
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BetterHelp. (August 2025). How Much Does Online Therapy Cost? BetterHelp Pricing Explained. https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/general/betterhelp-pricing-what-you-can-expect-to-pay-for-therapy/
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: Abigail Rueger, MA (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Added information about Cerebral’s child and teen therapy; Updated Cerebral’s pricing for its therapy plan; Added information about BetterHelp’s group sessions and other features; Updated information about BetterHelp’s insurance acceptance; Updated images; Fact-checked and edited entire article for readability and clarity.
Author: Abigail Rueger, MA (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Rewrote several sections for better readability. Fact-checked entire article.
Author: Abigail Rueger, MA (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Updated Cerebral’s medication plan pricing from $95 monthly to $60 (billed as $180 every three months).
Author: Abigail Rueger, MA (New author)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Updated BetterHelp’s pricing from $260-$400 monthly to $280-$400 monthly.
Author: Caitlin Bell, MA (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Fact-checked all content and updated where appropriate; updated BetterHelp pricing; edited for readability and clarity; updated the “Who Might Need An Alternative?” section.
Author: Caitlin Bell, MA (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Fact-checked all content and updated where appropriate; updated Cerebral pricing and service offerings, refreshed all verbiage for enhanced readability, and confirmed all facts to be accurate.
Author: Caitlin Bell, MA (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Updated costs for BetterHelp throughout; updated all images.
Author: Caitlin Bell, MA (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Updated cost section for BetterHelp to reflect current price options.
Author: Caitlin Bell, MA
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD
Primary Changes: Updated cost section for BetterHelp to reflect current price options.
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