Cerebral Review 2022 - Medical News Today

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Cerebral is a subscription-based mental health platform offering counseling and prescription services.

The National Institute of Mental Health states that nearly 1 in 5 American adults have some form of mental illness.

The resulting need for mental health services has given rise to virtual and online-based services offering counseling and therapy. A 2017 review found that online therapy provides the same benefits as in-person therapy. However, the researchers also stated that further studies with larger sample sizes are necessary.

This article outlines what Cerebral is, its treatment process, what medication it offers, and its plans and pricing. It also discusses counselor qualifications and quality of care and who may benefit from using this service.

Cerebral is a subscription-based mental health service provider. A person pays a monthly fee for access to physicians, counselors, and licensed therapists who provide regular online counseling and prescription medication management. People can also engage in unlimited online messaging with members of the service’s care team.

Through the service, Cerebral professionals can diagnose and treat mental health conditions. They can also prescribe medication if necessary, sending it directly to a person’s home in discreet packaging.

People taking previous prescription medication can also use Cerebral’s services for medication management and refill requests.

Cerebral offers treatment for a range of mental health conditions, including:

Cerebral also currently employs prescribing providers who hold licenses to practice in all states.

To get started with Cerebral, a person completes a short form online, answering questions about their symptoms. They then choose the treatment plan that will best suit their needs. Once the signup process is complete, they can schedule a telehealth assessment appointment with a Cerebral provider.

Clients with in-network insurance must sign up for video appointments, but those without can opt to meet through video or by phone. The company aims to schedule the initial appointment within 7 days of signing up for services.

During this meeting, the provider will confirm an appropriate treatment plan and decide if medication is necessary. This assessment may result in an adjustment to the client’s plan.

Clients then meet with their care counselors or therapists regularly. The service usually schedules sessions a week ahead of time. If necessary, users need to cancel appointments 24 hours in advance.

The company’s care counselors guide clients in learning self-care practices, such as mindfulness, to further improve treatment outcomes.

Cerebral’s medication prescribers guide new clients through safe and effective strategies for starting and managing medication such as antidepressants. In some situations, the platform’s providers may also help users modify their medication plans and develop safe plans for switching or coming off medication.

Cerebral’s therapists treat clients with evidence-based techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). And while research suggests telehealth CBT effectively treats depression, further study into its effectiveness is necessary.

Members can also access care through the Cerebral mobile app, available on Google Play and the Apple App Store. With this app, people can schedule appointments, track their progress, and manage their accounts.

Cerebral provides monthly subscription plans, and people have the option to cancel at any time.

The table below lists Cerebral’s treatment plan options:

However, these subscription plans do not factor in medication costs, but the plans do include shipping costs. Some subscription options are also only available in certain states.