The Benefits of Light Therapy for Mental Health

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.

We’re excited to announce that Cerebral has acquired Resilience Lab, a behavioral health organization known for its outcomes-focused care model and pioneering clinician development platform. This acquisition marks a major milestone in our mission to deliver high-quality, integrated mental healthcare. By joining forces, we’re combining Cerebral’s national reach and operational strength with Resilience Lab’s proven methodology and training infrastructure—ensuring clients receive consistent, personalized care from a deeply supported network of clinicians. Why it’s important to raise the standard of care Access to mental health support has increased in recent years—but access alone isn’t enough. For care to truly make a difference, it has to be consistent, personalized, and rooted in evidence-based practices. That’s why Cerebral is investing in what matters most: clinical quality. By acquiring Resilience Lab, we’re taking a major step toward delivering on our mission to provide exceptional mental healthcare with real, lasting results. What this means for clients Cerebral and Resilience Lab are now one team, working together under the Cerebral brand. What makes this partnership so impactful is that it solves two of the biggest challenges in the industry: Fragmented care Traditionally, clients see separate providers for therapy and psychiatric care, with little coordination between them. That fragmentation can slow progress or lead to gaps in treatment. Cerebral’s integrated model brings therapists and prescribers together on the same care team. Providers collaborate in real time, making shared treatment decisions and adjusting care as needed. Inconsistent outcomes Everyone deserves high-quality care, no matter who they see. Resilience Lab focuses on developing and empowering early-career clinicians and providing them with supervised training rooted in clinical best practices. They recognize that care is rooted in your relationship with your clinician, and establishing that trust is everything. That means more reliable, effective support for clients—and a stronger mental health workforce. What makes the Resilience Methodology different? Resilience Lab’s approach is unique because it prioritizes both clinical excellence and clinician wellbeing. Here’s how it works: Structured development for early-career therapists and prescribers Clinicians are trained in a rigorous, evidence-informed method that prioritizes therapeutic alliance, ongoing feedback, and personalized care. Support to prevent burnout and turnover The clinician experience is central. With better training, support, and supervision, therapists are more equipped to stay engaged and grow in their careers—benefiting both clients and the broader system. Measurement-informed care Clinical decisions are guided by real-time progress tracking, which helps tailor treatment to each client’s unique needs and goals. In short, clients benefit from care that is grounded in data, backed by training, and focused on building lasting resilience, not just symptom relief. Why this matters for the future of mental health Cerebral serves more than 100 million commercial insurance members nationwide. With this acquisition, we’re scaling a clinician-centered, outcomes-driven model that will help transform how mental healthcare is delivered across the country. “Our mission is to set a new standard for the quality of integrated mental health care,” said Brian Reinken, CEO of Cerebral. “We’re combining Cerebral’s operational scale and breadth with Resilience Lab’s clinical rigor to become a true center of excellence.” Seeking out professional support Whether you’re managing anxiety, burnout, or simply navigating life’s challenges, quality care makes all the difference. At Cerebral, our therapists and prescribers work together to support your mental health journey, offering personalized treatment, real-time collaboration, and if needed, medication delivery right to your door. We’re proud to welcome Resilience Lab to our team as we continue our commitment to helping you feel your best, today and in the future. Ready to take the next step? Learn more and get started at www.cerebral.com

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.