Mental health that builds relief today and resilience tomorrow Quality, consistency, and lifelong skills Choosing a mental health care provider can be one of the most challenging parts of getting started — especially online. It can be difficult to compare important aspects of treatment like quality, experience, access, insurance, and more. Mental health can also be difficult to measure, but knowing your therapist or prescriber has a solid plan for your improvement can help give structure to your time together. That’s why we developed the Resilience Methodology — a comprehensive framework for mental health that makes it easier for you and your clinician to set goals and make meaningful progress together. 5 pillars of the Resilience Methodology Compatibility Working with a clinician who understands you is one of the most important parts of making progress in your mental health. We have a pool of over 600 diverse, trained, and vetted therapists and prescribers to make it easier to find the right fit on the first try. And we make it easy to choose a new clinician anytime throughout your treatment for any reason. Collaboration You’re an active part of your treatment. You and your therapist or prescriber will work together to identify goals that are meaningful to you and the steps you’ll take to work toward them. This process also helps you know what to expect along your journey and take note of the progress you’re making together. Coordination Your clinician will ask questions to help them understand all contributing factors of your mental health and how to address the root causes. We also make it easy to add or switch services so you can access therapy, medication, or both whenever it’s appropriate. Your clinicians can also share notes to understand the full context of your journey and provide you with consistent care. Personalization Each person has their own history and health. Our priority is understanding who you are and creating a custom treatment plan tailored to your needs. We also encourage you to be as open and honest with your clinician about how your treatment is working for you so you can make adjustments together as needed. Measurement Mental health can be difficult to measure. We use standardized mental health assessments like PHQ-9, GAD-7, and WHOQOL to help you set goals with your clinician, understand trends over time, and identify changes when they happen. The results of these assessments don’t define who you are — they give additional insight into how you’re feeling, progress you’ve made, and milestones you’ve achieved. How it works  1. We'll get to know each other Your journey starts with an intake session with your therapist or prescriber. They'll ask you some questions about your experience, why you're seeking support, and any symptoms you may be experiencing. The focus is on understanding you and your experiences, goals, and challenges. If you choose to meet with a prescriber, they may determine a diagnosis and prescribe medication if it's appropriate. 2. You'll get a personalized plan Your clinician will make a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs and work with you to set goals. Your treatment plan is a roadmap for your mental health journey, complete with milestones and check-ins with your therapist and/or prescriber. You can always talk to your clinician about how your plan is working and make any necessary adjustments along the way. 3. Keep track of your progress  You'll continue to meet with your therapist and/or prescriber as necessary, and take assessments along the way to help keep track of how you’re doing. You can always talk to your clinician about how your plan is working, and work with them to make any necessary adjustments along the way. You can also message your clinician between sessions if you have questions or need extra support. What sets us apart More than just a patient Our clinicians truly care to know you as a person — not just a patient. We prioritize creating a diverse pool of clinicians to help you find someone who can relate to your experience and make you feel comfortable. We also make it easy to switch therapists or prescribers at any time for any reason — no phone calls or emails necessary. You can see all available options right from your account and book a session with whoever fits your needs and schedule. Coordinated care made easy Sign up once and get access to high quality therapy, medication management, or both. No long wait times, figuring out insurance, or waiting for a referral. And your clinicians can share notes to make sure you’re getting consistent, meaningful care across treatment programs. It’s easy to switch or add services anytime throughout your treatment to help you get support when you need it. More than just relief Our approach isn’t made to just manage your symptoms or feel better in the short term. We built our framework based on real clinical evidence and guidance to help every client develop long-term skills for the future. Our goal is to give you relief now, and tools for life. Ready to get started? Whatever you’re going through, we have clinicians ready to listen and support you. Find a therapist or prescriber here.

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.