Cerebral and Talkspace are both mental health platforms that offer online therapy and medication management. To learn more about how Cerebral and Talkspace compare to each other, we’ll take an in-depth look at what each platform offers, their costs and subscription options, as well as any extra features available.
Cerebral Vs. Talkspace: How They Compare
Cerebral earned 3.5 out of 5 stars and Talkspace earned 4 out of 5 stars overall during our independent reviews. Both platforms offer online therapy, online psychiatry, and couples therapy. Both accept insurance and offer great extra features. However, Talkspace does work with more insurance providers than Cerebral does and is able to serve teens age 13+ whereas Cerebral can only serve adults.
What Is Cerebral?
Cerebral is a subscription-based online mental health platform that offers therapy and psychiatry to individuals 18 years and older throughout the United States. All therapy sessions are 45 minutes long and initial psychiatry appointments are 30 minutes long. 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 a provider after you sign up. Depending on which plan you select, costs range from $95 – $365 monthly.
Cerebral’s subscription plans are:
- Medication: $95 monthly – 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: $295 monthly – includes an initial evaluation session, then weekly 45-minute sessions with a licensed therapist, and unlimited messaging.
- Medication + Therapy Plan: $365 monthly – includes everything offered in the medication and therapy plans.
- Couples Therapy: $325 monthly – includes everything offered in the therapy plan for two clients rather than one.
Cerebral prescribes medications for a range of mental health conditions, including medication for depression (including postpartum and menopausal depression), and medication for anxiety, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Depending on location, Cerebral also provides treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, and alcohol use disorder. Cerebral will only prescribe non-controlled medication for ADHD, which means it does not offer prescriptions for stimulant medications. They are also expanding to treat schizophrenia and pediatric conditions in the near future.
What Is Talkspace?
Talkspace offers online therapy subscriptions for individuals, couples, and teens throughout the US and Canada and online psychiatry services to individuals 18+ throughout the US. All therapy sessions are 45 minutes long and costs range from $276 – $436 monthly (advertised as $69 – $109 weekly). Talkspace psychiatry costs $299 for an initial assessment and $175 for follow-up appointments. Currently, Talkspace accepts insurance from several major companies, including some Medicare plans, and is a part of many EAPs.
After completing an initial assessment, you meet with a live agent in a secure chat room to discuss your preferences, needs, and symptoms, so that they can help match you with a therapist. Prior to seeing your three hand-selected matches, you must pay for one of the three subscription plans.
Talkspace offers three online therapy subscriptions for cash-pay members:
- Messaging Therapy ($276 monthly) – This plan gives you a dedicated chatroom where you can send text, audio, or video messages to your therapist anytime. Therapists will respond to messages at least once daily, Monday- Friday. Costs start at $276 monthly, advertised at $69 weekly.
- Video + Messaging Therapy ($396 monthly) – This plan gives you four, 45-minute video sessions with your therapist every month, as well as the messaging plan. Costs start at $396 monthly, advertised at $99 weekly.
- Video + Messaging Therapy+ Workshops ($436 monthly) – This plan includes everything from the Messaging Only and Live Therapy plans as well as access to live Zoom workshops with licensed providers on various mental health topics. Costs start at $436 monthly, advertised at $109 weekly.
Pricing for additional Talkspace services includes:
- Psychiatry ($299 intakes/$175 follow-ups) – Talkspace psychiatry is billed by session. An initial evaluation session costs $299 and follow-up sessions are $175 each. You can buy sessions in bundles for a bit of savings.
- Couples Therapy ($435 monthly) – Couples therapy with Talkspace starts at $436 monthly for weekly live sessions and unlimited messaging.
- Teen Therapy ($276 – $436 monthly) – Teens ages 13-17 can use Talkspace therapy at the same monthly cost as adults.
It is important to note that psychiatry is an additional cost on top of any therapy subscription you choose. With initial psychiatric appointments costing $299, if you are paying out-of-pocket for therapy and psychiatry, your costs for the first month could feasibly exceed $750.
Cerebral Vs. Talkspace Comparison Table
| Cerebral | Talkspace | |
| Services Offered | Individual & Couples Therapy (18+) Medication Management (18+) | Individual Therapy (18+) Couples Therapy Teens Therapy (13+) Medication Management (18+ & US Only) |
| Cost | $95 – $365 monthly, depends on which subscription you choose | Therapy: $276 – $436 monthly, depends on location Psychiatry: $299 initial assessment $175 follow-ups |
| Insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Communication Options | Video Phone Texting Between Session | Video Texting Between Sessions |
| Medications Prescribed | Yes | Yes |
Pros & Cons of Cerebral
Cerebral offers therapy and medication management to all US states and has easy-to-understand costs for all its subscription options. However, Cerebral does not offer teen therapy and live texting is not available.
Pros & Cons of Talkspace
Talkspace offers therapy for individuals, couples, and teens across the US and Canada. While they do offer medication management, there are no options to bundle a therapy subscription with it, which may make out-of-pocket costs high for some.
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Talkspace Vs. Cerebral: Costs
Costs between Talkspace and Cerebral are structured very differently and it is important to know which one will work best for you.
How Much Does Talkspace Cost?
Talkspace Therapy costs start at $276 – 436 monthly ($69 – $109 weekly), with exact pricing depending on where you live, therapist availability, and which subscription package you choose. Talkspace does accept insurance from major providers, which could lower the cost of your subscription.
Talkspace offers three online therapy subscriptions for cash-pay members:
- Messaging Therapy ($276 monthly) – This plan gives you a dedicated chatroom where you can send text, audio, or video messages to your therapist anytime. Therapists will respond to messages at least once daily, Monday- Friday. Costs start at $276 monthly, advertised at $69 weekly.
- Video + Messaging Therapy ($396 monthly) – This plan gives you four, 45-minute video sessions with your therapist every month, as well as the messaging plan. Costs start at $396 monthly, advertised at $99 weekly.
- Video + Messaging Therapy+ Workshops ($436 monthly) – This plan includes everything from the Messaging Only and Live Therapy plans as well as access to live Zoom workshops with licensed providers on various mental health topics. Costs start at $436 monthly, advertised at $109 weekly.
Pricing for additional Talkspace services includes:
- Psychiatry ($299 intakes/$175 follow-ups) – Talkspace psychiatry is billed by session. An initial evaluation session costs $299 and follow-up sessions are $175 each. You can buy sessions in bundles for a bit of savings.
- Couples Therapy ($435 monthly) – Couples therapy with Talkspace starts at $436 monthly for weekly live sessions and unlimited messaging.
- Teen Therapy ($276 – $436 monthly) – Teens ages 13-17 can use Talkspace therapy at the same monthly cost as adults.
How Much Does Cerebral Cost?
Cerebral costs $95 – $365 monthly depending on your subscription plan. If Cerebral is in-network with your insurance company, the plans will cost ~$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 start at $8.
Cerebral’s subscription plans are:
- Medication: $95 monthly – 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: $295 monthly – includes an initial evaluation session, then weekly 45-minute sessions with a licensed therapist, and unlimited messaging.
- Medication + Therapy Plan: $365 monthly – includes everything offered in the medication and therapy plans.
- Couples Therapy: $325 monthly – includes everything offered in the therapy plan for two clients rather than one.
Cerebral Vs Talkspace: How to Get Started
Cerebral and Talkspace both offer convenient and easy sign up processes either online or through their apps.
How to Sign Up for Cerebral
To sign up with Cerebral, you will first visit their website and complete an initial assessment. This assessment will further help you determine what you seek care for. After selecting your preferred subscription and paying for your first month, you will then select your therapist or medication manager.
If you choose to enroll in a medication plan, you will be prompted to answer additional symptom questions, verify your identity with a government ID, and then choose a prescriber and a date and time to meet them.
After completing the sign-up process you can schedule your first therapy session or your first medication management appointment.
To learn even more about their sign-up process, please read our in-depth review of Cerebral.
How to Sign Up for Talkspace
To sign up for Talkspace, you can visit the website and start answering the onboarding questions, like why you’re seeking therapy and biographical information. After you choose how you’d like to pay and which subscription you’d like, you will confirm your email address. Once you have confirmed your email, you will be taken into your Talkspace chatroom and begin a text-based chat with a matching agent.
This matching agent will review the information you provided them and select your top three therapist matches. You will then be able to select which one you think will suit you the best and schedule your first session. It is important to note that if you do not self-select from your matches, you will be automatically placed with a therapist.
Signing up for medication management will follow a similar process as signing up for therapy.
To read even more about this process, you can read our comprehensive review of Talkspace.
Talkspace Vs Cerebral: Extra Features
Talkspace and Cerebral both offer extra features that can enhance your therapeutic experience.
Talkspace Extra Features
Talkspace offers educational Workshops. All of the workshops are on various mental health topics like “Navigating Conflict at Work.” These are held through Zoom meetings, and you do not have to have your camera on if you don’t want to. During the Workshops, you will need something to write with and paper as there are questions and prompts to answer in many of them. In my experience, each question or prompt was timed and it took me between two to four minutes to complete, which was a nice way to stay engaged with the topic.
In addition, the Talkspace app has a handful of interactive exercises for things like mindfulness, grounding techniques, and breathing exercises. Talkspace lacks the journal feature that you find in the Cerebral app.
Cerebral Extra Features
Cerebral offers self-care tools in their app under a tab called “Learn.” You will have some assigned work to complete, but you can also explore 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 exercise, or a progressive muscle relaxation exercise.
Cerebral also offers crisis management services, including a dedicated crisis team to help clients who develop active suicidal thoughts. A free case management program is included for clients who develop ongoing suicidal thoughts to ensure adequate social support and linkage to community resources.
Cerebral Vs Talkspace: Who Might Need An Alternative
Cerebral and Talkspace are great for individuals over 18 years old, but kids and teens may need to find an alternative. In addition, those with substance use issues and those who prefer an in-person provider will also need to find an alternative.
Kids & Teens
While Talkspace does offer teen therapy to teens 13 years and older, Cerebral does not. Furthermore, if your child is under the age of 13, you will need to seek out a different platform. There are several dedicated kids’ mental health platforms that offer therapy and medication management, like Brightline Mental Health. With Brightline, your child can attend live therapy sessions and be referred in person for psychiatry if it is deemed necessary.
To learn more about this platform and what it offers to families, you can read our comprehensive review of Brightline Mental Health.
Substance Use Issues
Cerebral can treat alcohol dependence issues in select states, but Talkspace does not offer a dedicated program for substance use issues at this time. A great alternative for those seeking at-home treatment would be a platform like WorkIt Health. Not only can you receive personalized treatment with WorkIt Health for your substance use issues, you can also receive therapy for any other co-occurring mental health symptoms you are experiencing.
To read all about their program, check out our WorkIt Health review.
You Need an In-Person Provider
There can be a number of reasons why someone may prefer to meet with a provider in person. These can be deeply personal and finding a provider that respects your choices and will lead you through your mental health symptoms is important. A great place to start looking for an in-person provider would be through an online therapist directory. With a directory, you can filter by age, gender, location, and much more. Thriveworks is an online mental health platform that also has some in-person locations. Learn more in our full Thriveworks review.
Talkspace Vs Cerebral: Final Verdict
Both Talkspace and Cerebral offer very similar services for individuals over 18 years old, they both accept insurance, and both have user-friendly apps. If your insurance is accepted, either platform would be a strong choice in terms of therapy and medication management. However, if you are looking for simple cash-pay, Cerebral would be a better option since it’s more affordable. Not only can you select a subscription plan that includes both therapy and medication management, but you will also be able to pay much less than you would with Talkspace. However, if you are looking for therapy that’s covered by insurance, Talkspace might be the better option since it accepts many more insurance plans than Talkspace does. Similarly, if you’re looking for care for your teenager, then Talkspace is your best bet.
BetterHelp Vs Talkspace Vs Cerebral
Cerebral, BetterHelp, and Talkspace are some of the biggest names in the online mental healthcare world at this time. 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, whereas BetterHelp does not.
Cerebral and Talkspace both offer out-of-pocket costs 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 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 really great option that offers more relative value than Talkspace’s individual psychiatry rates.
Currently, BetterHelp does not offer medication management and does not accept insurance, but it does offer financial aid through the BetterHelp financial assistance program. To learn even more about BetterHelp you can read our in-depth review of BetterHelp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Online Therapy & Psychiatry Right For?
Online therapy and online psychiatry are a good fit for those who have mild to moderate mental health symptoms. This is also a great choice for those who like the convenience of attending their sessions and appointments in their own home.
What Credentials Do Cerebral & Talkspace Therapists/Providers Hold?
Cerebral therapists hold master’s or doctoral degrees in counseling, social work, or psychology. All providers on Talkspace are fully licensed and board-certified. They do not use interns, providers who are not fully licensed, or those who are still under supervision.
Do Talkspace & Cerebral Accept Insurance?
Yes, both Talkspace and Cerebral accept many insurance plans from major providers.
Can Cerebral & Talkspace Prescribe Medication?
Yes, both Cerebral and Talkspace can prescribe non-controlled medications.
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: Caitlin Bell, MA (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Fact-checked, revised, and updated with most updated facts. Updated Cerebral and Talkspace pricing and images throughout article. Reviewed and updated for accuracy and readability.
Author: Caitlin Bell, MA
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD
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