Introducing Cerebral Way: Your Personalized Path to Feeling Better

5 Things to Look for in a Therapist Finding the right therapist is a personal and important step on your mental health journey. A therapist can provide the support, guidance, and tools you need to work through challenges and make meaningful progress. However, with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start or what factors to prioritize.  In this blog, we’ll explore five key factors to consider when looking for a therapist, helping you make a confident and informed choice that aligns with your unique needs and goals. Let’s dive in! {MiniWidget:Anxiety} 1. Accessibility When searching for a therapist, one of the key considerations is their accessibility. While affordability is an important aspect, there are several other factors to take into account. Let's explore them in more detail: Online vs. In-Person Therapy In-person therapy allows you to meet your therapist in an office setting, which many individuals enjoy. However, factors such as location and scheduling can sometimes make attending in-person sessions less convenient. Online therapy typically offers greater accessibility, as it enables you to attend sessions from the comfort of your home, eliminating the need for travel and accommodating a wider range of schedules. Flexibility Especially if you work traditional hours, it may be desirable to look for a therapist who is able to see you in the evenings or on the weekends.  With Cerebral, you can view therapists’ availability before booking and confirming a session online. Learn more here. Affordability For many, a major barrier to getting therapy is cost. On average, therapy sessions cost between $100 to $300 per session. And although getting the mental health care you deserve is important, these costs can become prohibitive for many. Cerebral partners with many major insurance providers, which may allow you to use your insurance to help cover the cost of care. You can also use HSA or FSA funds as your primary payment method. If you’re not covered, rest assured that we’ve intentionally built our service plans to be as affordable as possible, with clients paying as much as 50% less than in-person care.  2. Qualifications Any therapist you choose must have the right qualifications and licensure. Like many medical services, becoming a mental health therapist requires engaging in years of education and training. There are multiple licenses that allow people to practice mental health therapy in the U.S., including: PhD or PsyD (licensed psychologist) LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) LPC (licensed professional counselor) LMHP (licensed mental health professional) You can look up potential therapists’ information through the state licensing board. At Cerebral, we vet all of our therapists’ training, licenses, and qualifications. 3. Specializations Even among licensed and qualified therapists, there is a lot of variety. It’s important to choose a mental health provider who has the specializations and expertise to treat what you, specifically, are going through. Determine the therapist’s experience working with clients who face similar concerns as you do or on areas of focus that are important to you. During your first session, you can also ask about the specific treatment methods they use so you can find the person who best meets your needs. Having a therapist who understands the cultural context of your experiences is also an important factor many individuals consider. There doesn’t necessarily need to be an exact cultural match between you and your therapist - but many people understandably prefer to work with therapists who share parts of or have expertise in their identity. Cerebral makes it easy and convenient by putting therapist profiles on our website, allowing you to browse all providers in your state so you can select the provider you want. And, if things don’t work out with your choice, you can switch therapists at any point. 4. Reviews and Testimonials One way to gather information on whether a potential therapist is a good fit for you is to look for reviews and testimonials. Some therapists may not have client reviews published for the public, but you may be able to ask them to share private and anonymized testimonials. You can also search online for reviews and testimonials of the therapist. Look for reviews that speak to the things that are most important to you when looking for a therapist. For example, you might look for reviews that mention the therapist’s experience and skill in working with the concerns you’re facing.  5. Comfort and Connection Lastly, sometimes what to look for in a therapist can’t be measured - it’s more about following your gut. Research shows that therapeutic rapport is essential in good therapy outcomes.  When you first meet your therapist, how do you feel with them? Do you feel like they understand and respect you? Does the way they communicate with and respond to you help you feel safe and comfortable? Do you feel like you can show up as your full self in sessions with them? These signals of good therapeutic rapport may not happen right away. It’s generally recommended to try seeing a therapist for at least three sessions before deciding whether or not it’s a good fit. But if you simply don’t feel connected with your therapist, trust your instincts and try a different therapist. Find a Therapist with Cerebral Cerebral simplifies the process of finding an online therapist and accessing the mental health support you deserve. Our licensed therapists are specially trained in the Cerebral Way, our intentional approach to mental health care designed to help you achieve meaningful progress. With the Cerebral Way, you're not just a name or diagnosis. Your therapist understands your specific needs, goals, and experiences, shaping a path forward that is unique to you. Your clinician will review your goals and milestones so you can see how much progress you’re making and adjust your care if your needs change. And if you find that you're not making the progress you’d like to see with your therapist, you have the flexibility to switch to a new one at any time.  Start your therapy journey with Cerebral today.

Cerebral is proud to be teaming up with the San Antonio Spurs to make mental health care more accessible and affordable for communities across Texas.  According to KFF, since 2022, 30% of adults in Texas who reported symptoms of anxiety or depression said they needed counseling or therapy but didn't receive it. Cerebral, alongside the Spurs, are on a mission to break down the barriers to care, offering convenient and comprehensive support, covered by insurance, so Texans of all backgrounds have access to professional mental health care when they need it most. “At Cerebral, our mission has always been to break down barriers to mental health care and ensure that every individual has access to the high-quality support they need. Together, with the San Antonio Spurs, we’re not just creating opportunities for communities across Texas - we’re creating a culture where mental health is prioritized, understood, and supported at every level,” said Cerebral President, Brian Reinken. {MiniWidget:Generic} A new era of care Cerebral is creating a new era of mental health care that goes beyond a traditional, static model by addressing both effectiveness and accessibility. Through dynamic care that combines a personalized, coordinated approach with in-network accessibility with partners like BlueCross, Cigna, UnitedHealth, and more, each individual can feel empowered to take control of their health on their terms. And the outcomes are the proof: As of March 2024, at least 72% of Cerebral clients with moderate to severe anxiety and/or depression reported feeling better within 12 weeks. Raising awareness around mental health Cerebral will leverage their partnership with the Spurs to raise awareness about mental health, share resources, and advocate for the importance of mental well-being in both the sports world and everyday life. In addition to signage and media presence at Spurs home games, Cerebral will host a mental health workshop for the Spurs Community Leadership Institute, a program designed to provide curated curriculum, expert panels, and group collaboration for Impact leaders in San Antonio.  “We believe in taking a holistic approach to health, in both mind and body, and want to support our community in accessing affordable and convenient mental healthcare,” said Frank Miceli, Chief Commercial Officer for Spurs Sports & Entertainment. “We admire the work Cerebral has done to expand access for all.” About Cerebral Cerebral’s mission is to increase access to high-quality mental health care to all. Unlike traditional mental health care, Cerebral’s telehealth service is accessible, convenient, and affordable. With several monthly subscription plans to choose from, members receive online access to therapists and prescribing providers, all from the comfort of home or anywhere else with an internet connection. Visits are done via video chat, and members can message their care team directly. Members can even receive medications delivered straight to their door (if prescribed). About Spurs Sports & Entertainment Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SS&E) is a value-based and community-centric sports and entertainment company that provides premier live and global digital experiences for fans across a portfolio of three teams and several first-class venues in South Texas – all supported by a staff of more than 1,000 full and part-time employees. SS&E owns and operates the San Antonio Spurs (NBA), Austin Spurs (NBA G League), and San Antonio FC (USL), as well as manages the day-to-day operations of the Frost Bank Center, The Rock at La Cantera, Toyota Field and Ricos STAR Soccer Complex. Images by Markus Spiske and on pexels.

We understand that finding affordable mental healthcare may feel like a daunting task. With rising medication and therapy costs, many people can find it hard to access the support they need within their budget. We're on a steadfast mission to change that. Here, we’ll guide you through using insurance for mental health services at Cerebral, making it easier and more affordable to get the care you deserve. {MiniWidget:Generic} More insurance partners, more access At Cerebral, we continuously collaborate with insurance partners to expand access to our online mental health services. This expansion aims to provide more people with access to our affordable therapy and psychiatry options, potentially reducing cost as a barrier. By working with various insurance providers and growing our partnerships, we strive to offer affordable therapy and medication management to all who need it. Check your insurance coverage Understanding your insurance coverage is essential if you’re looking for low-cost therapy, affordable medication management, or both. With Cerebral, you can connect with licensed prescribers and therapists who accept: Cigna BlueCross BlueShield United Healthcare & Optum and more Availability is based on state, and you can find the full details here. Wondering if you can use your insurance for Cerebral? Here are the steps you can take to check your insurance coverage for therapy and/or medication management: Verify with Cerebral: With your insurance information in hand, you can check your coverage. If your plan is eligible, we'll onboard you with a credentialed clinician. Review your benefits: Look through your insurance plan details to understand the extent of your coverage, including copays, deductibles, and any out-of-pocket costs. It never hurts to double-check. You could also reach out to your insurance company to verify if they cover mental health services, including therapy sessions and medication management for mental health conditions, under your plan. Because we're working toward adding new partners to provide low-cost therapy and medication management, you always have the option of signing up and using your insurance at a later date if your carrier becomes a partner. How it works After you’ve confirmed your eligibility, getting started with Cerebral is easy. Here’s how it works: Create your account in a few easy steps, and we’ll set you up with an in-network plan. Choose your in-network clinician and schedule a session on a weekday, night, or weekend.  Collaborate with your care team on a personalized plan with progress tracking and ongoing support. Focus on your care — we bill your insurance provider for you. The majority of our clients are able to see someone within a week, and while most of them are happy with their first choice, you can pick a new one whenever you want for any reason.  Cost of Cerebral subscription benefits With insurance, you can access all subscription plan benefits for $30 per month. This fee includes a range of services and features designed to support your mental health goals, including: Quick access to care (typically less than a week)  Easy online scheduling and session reminders Flexibility to choose your preferred in-network clinician  A personalized treatment plan with progress tracking Unlimited messaging with your care team between visits  In-app resources and therapeutic exercises  Complimentary lab work at partner labs when clinically appropriate for bipolar treatment Access to CerebralRx, our at-home medication delivery service with free 2-day delivery It’s important to note that CerebralRx medication costs are billed separately and are not covered by insurance benefits. If you choose to fill your prescription through another pharmacy, your insurance may cover those medications. You may also be responsible for additional cost share fees such as copays and deductibles. Understanding cost share Depending on your insurance plan, you could be responsible for additional cost-share fees like copayments, coinsurance, or the full cost of services if you haven't met your deductible. If you’re newer to the ins and outs of insurance (or, understandably, get a little confused by it), here’s what those terms mean: Copayment (copay): A fixed amount you pay for covered services at the time of your visit. Coinsurance: A percentage of the costs of a covered healthcare service you pay after your deductible. Deductible: The amount you need to pay out of pocket for healthcare services before your health insurance plan begins to cover costs. Your insurance company will send you an explanation of benefits (EOB) outlining any additional costs. For copays and your deductible, you might be able to offset costs by using tax-free dollars from a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA). No one likes surprise bills, so we also notify you of any owed cost share fees 7 days before charging the payment method on file. Cerebral Network and clinicians At Cerebral, we offer a network of fully licensed and trained prescribers and therapists that you can connect with all from the comfort and convenience of your home. At Cerebral, we display profiles of in-network providers, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your needs and is in-network with your payer. When using insurance for Cerebral, you’ll be able to meet with your care team whenever clinically appropriate. We’ll manage all the billing and claim submissions for you so you can focus on getting high-quality care. You can also message our care team for support between sessions. They're available during business hours and will respond to you within 1-3 business days. Other ways to help cover costs If you would prefer not to use your in-network coverage or aren't covered by insurance or one of our partners, there are other options.  Using FSA/HSA funds FSA or HSA accounts allow you to set aside pre-tax money for medical expenses, often including mental health services. You can absolutely use your HSA or FSA card as your primary payment method in your Cerebral account. Just a reminder: These accounts could also be used to cover copays and your deductible. It's always helpful to double-check and get more information. Contact your insurance provider to find out more about HSA or FSA options and how to submit receipts for reimbursement. They can also provide answers to any questions you have about ​​submitting a claim, using your HSA or FSA funds, or receiving reimbursements. How to get reimbursed for out-of-network services If you decide to choose an out-of-network clinician, you can request a special type of itemized receipt (known as a superbill) that typically includes: Client contact information  Provider information   Your diagnosis in the form of an ICD code  CPT code(s)  Dates of service Itemized list of costs Referrer contact information (if applicable) Our team would be happy to assist you with this process — all included with your subscription plan. Then, all that’s left is submitting it to your insurance provider for reimbursement. How to get one: To request a superbill, simply log into your account and send us a message. Requesting verification of your payer when added We’re continuously working to onboard new payers to expand our insurance coverage. If your insurance provider isn't currently on our list, as a Cerebral client, we'll notify you via email when new partners are added. This way, you can start using your plan benefits as soon as your carrier becomes available. Expanding insurance partnerships At Cerebral, we understand the importance of accessible mental health care. That's why we're committed to expanding our insurance partnerships to provide more people with the support they need. We're actively working to onboard new providers so our clients can have more options for affordable mental health care. Navigating insurance coverage for mental health services can be challenging, but we’re doing what we can to make it easier. Our expanded insurance partners and low-cost monthly subscription plans for insured clients can help you receive high-quality care with the convenience and affordability you deserve. Check your insurance coverage today and take the first step toward better mental health. Images by diana.grytsku and freepik on Freepik.