About Cerebral
More about our mission, our approach to mental healthcare, and who we serve.
22 topics
What is Cerebral?
Cerebral is an online mental health care provider that offers 1-on-1 therapy, couples therapy, and medication prescription service plans. Plans include regular virtual sessions with our qualified and compassionate therapists and prescribers — as well as personalized treatment plans, progress tracking, and goal setting.
We offer long or short-term care, and have worked to make our costs as low as possible for our clients.
Cerebral treats many mental health conditions, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Postpartum depression
- Menopausal depression
- ADHD
- Trauma and PTSD
- Bipolar disorder
- Alcohol dependence
We can also support:
- Relationship issues and divorce
- Stress management
- Anger management
- LGBTQI+ experiences
- Grief and loss
- Traumatic life events
- Confidence and self-esteem
- Phobias
- Coping with illnesses
How often can I meet with my therapist?
f you are subscribed to a 2x a month therapy plan:
Your subscription includes 2 sessions per month
If you are subscribed to a 4x a month therapy plan:
Your subscription includes 4 sessions per month
If you need support between sessions, you can log into your account and send your therapist a message. Responses to messages can take up to 2 business days.
You may schedule additional sessions, which will be billed at $135 per session.
Does Cerebral provide assessments and documentation for medical paperwork requests or applications?
Providing paperwork or documentation is up to the discretion of your therapist or prescriber and is not guaranteed. Approval for any paperwork or documentation may take time, and may require meeting with your therapist or prescriber over multiple sessions so they can make an informed decision.
Our therapists and prescribers can complete paperwork or documentation related to:
- Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Leave Of Absence
- Social Security Disability
- Emotional Support Animals
- Fitness for Duty
- Return to Work
- Housing Evaluations
This is not a comprehensive list. We recommend you discuss any paperwork or documentation requests with your therapist or prescriber to make sure they can support you. Therapist Associates cannot complete documentation or paperwork.
Cerebral can also provide clients with their medical records.
Log into your account to send us a message, or email support@cerebral.com to request them.
How do I switch therapists if it isn’t a good fit?
Most clients find a therapist they like on the first try, but it’s easy to switch anytime for any reason.
Log into your account and click on your therapist’s profile to find a new one.
If you need more help, log into your account and send us a message.
How do I track my progress?
Our program is built to help you see your progress over time. You’ll work with your prescriber and/or therapist to build a personalized treatment plan. About once a month, we’ll also send you a regular mental health assessment to check in about how you’re feeling. You can keep track of your results of these assessments over time in the Progress section of your account.
What medications does Cerebral offer?
We can prescribe hundreds of medications that help manage symptoms for a wide range of conditions — including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and ADHD.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Escitalopram (Lexapro), Sertraline (Zoloft), Fluoxetine (Prozac), and more.
Serotonin & Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
Duloxetine (Cymbalta), Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), and more.
Atypical Antipsychotics
Aripiprazole (Abilify), Olanzapine (Zyprexa), Quetiapine (Seroquel), Ziprasidone (Geodon), and more.
We do not prescribe controlled substances.
Including:
- benzodiazepines (Xanax or Klonopin)
- stimulants (Adderall or Concerta)
- hallucinogens (ketamine)
But we can prescribe other non-addictive, clinically proven medications and treatment options that may support you.
How does Cerebral work?
Cerebral offers online psychiatry and therapy provided by mental health professionals to help treat a wide range of mental health conditions.
- When you sign up, you’ll choose whether you are interested in medication, therapy, or both.
- Then you can see all available therapists or prescribers licensed in your state, and choose who you’d like to work with. Most clients are happy with their first choice, but you can switch anytime for any reason.
- Once you choose a therapist or prescriber, you can see their availability and book your first session. Most clients are able to meet with someone within 3 days of signing up.
- Your intake session includes a professional evaluation and personalized treatment plan, if diagnosed.
- If you meet with a prescriber, you’ll work with them to determine if medication is appropriate for you. If so, you’ll get a prescription sent to the pharmacy of your choice. Prescriptions filled by CerebralRx, Cerebral’s in-house pharmacy, include free expedited shipping directly to your door.
- You’ll continue to meet with your prescriber or therapist for support and to keep making progress toward your goals.
See what our medication and therapy services include
What’s included in therapy
What is the Cerebral Way?
The Cerebral Way is our intentional approach to improving your mental health.
Our program is built to give you specific goals and milestones to look forward to and help measure your progress over time. Our goal is that you’ll learn the skills to navigate life’s challenges on your own — and know you have the long-term support of your care team whenever you need it.
When you join Cerebral, you will:
- Build a personalized treatment plan with your therapist and/or prescriber to use as a guide for your sessions
- Complete an initial assessment before your first intake session, and then about once every 30 days to keep track of how your mental health changes throughout your treatment
- Meet with your therapist or prescriber periodically to review your treatment plan and make any necessary adjustments.
These steps give important structure to your mental health care journey and are designed to help you make more meaningful progression with your therapist or prescriber over time. Every person’s journey is different, and our approach is tailored to your specific needs and flexible enough to make adjustments to your treatment along the way.
This approach is intended to help you play an active role in your mental health care with support from your therapist or prescriber. Our goal is to help you make real, long-lasting progress in your mental health.
Can I message my therapist between sessions?
Yes.
Log into your account to send a message in the Therapist Chat section of the messaging feature. Your therapist will also use this space to share any summaries or notes about your sessions.
Responses may take up to 2 business days.
Does Cerebral treat bipolar disorder?
Yes. We offer medication and therapy services that are proven to help reduce and manage symptoms of bipolar disorder.
You can meet with a prescriber or therapist to learn more about specific treatment options customized to fit your needs.
Do I get to choose my prescriber?
Yes. After you sign up and choose a service, you’ll see all available prescribers who are licensed in your state. From there, you can learn a bit about each one and see when they’re available to meet. Once you find a prescriber you want to work with, you can book a session with them.
Most of our clients are able to meet with someone within 3 days of signing up.
How do I cancel my subscription?
To cancel your subscription:
- Log in to your account through the mobile app or on a web browser
- Click the menu in the top right corner of the screen
- Go to My Account, then Subscription Plan > Cancel Subscription
Your subscription will stay active until your billing cycle ends. You can still meet with your prescriber or therapist during this time.
Once your billing cycle ends, you will no longer have access to your prescriber or therapist.
You can request your medical records anytime by emailing support@cerebral.com.
If you choose to re-subscribe later, we can’t guarantee your previous prescriber or therapist will still be available. But you will see all available prescribers or therapists in your state, and can choose someone else to work with.
Any outstanding costs of services or medications not covered by your recurring subscription fee will be billed to your payment method after your subscription ends — including medication refills or additional sessions beyond what’s included in your plan.
We encourage you to discuss cancelation options with your prescriber or therapist before canceling your subscription — as there may be risks associated with stopping your medication or treatment abruptly. They can help you form a plan to safely transition out of your Cerebral therapy or medication plan. Whatever the situation, we are here to listen and help.
Need more help?
Contact support@cerebral.com or send us a message in your account
Do I get to choose my therapist?
Yes. After you sign up and choose a service, you’ll see all available therapists who are licensed in your state.
From there, you can learn a bit about each one and see when they’re available to meet. Once you find a therapist you want to work with, you can book a session. Most of our clients are able to meet with someone within 3 days of signing up.
What is Cerebral’s mission?
Our mission is to democratize access to high-quality mental health care for all.
Factors like cost, convenience, and fear of judgment can sometimes make getting high quality mental healthcare difficult.
We call our approach to care the Cerebral Way — an intentional program we established to give our clients a clearer way to understand their progress and mental health goals.
Mental health is not linear and results happen differently for everyone over time. We believe starting with a clear plan is an important part of long-term improvement.
The Cerebral Way includes:
- a personalized treatment plan
- goal setting (typically only therapy)
- monthly assessments
- progress tracking
How often can I meet with my prescriber?
You will meet with your prescriber to complete your intake (typically done in one session). After that, you and your prescriber will decide how often you should meet according to their clinical recommendation and your specific needs.
If you need support between sessions, you can log into your account and send your prescriber a message. Responses to messages can take up to 2 business days.
How and when can I contact Cerebral?
If you are experiencing an emergency — dial 911.
Contact us:
- Email: support@cerebral.com
- Text or call: 415-403-2156
Our support team is online from:
- 6am – 6pm PT Monday – Friday
- 7am – 4pm PT Saturday and Sunday
Existing clients:
- Log into your account to send us a message.
Response times may take up to 2 business days.
Questions about medications, refills, side effects, and other clinical questions may require additional time to fully resolve depending on the request.
How long will I have to stay on medication?
Length of treatment will depend on many factors. The goal is to provide you with the right amount of care for the right amount of time it takes for you to feel better.
You will work closely with your prescriber to determine a medication, dose, and regimine — and then make any necessary adjustments over time. Each person is different, and long-term options may be more appropriate for some people than others. Combining therapy with medication may also help you see more improvement in your mental health and affect your length of treatment.
Addressing mental health concerns is not always a linear process, and support at Cerebral is available for as long as you need it.
What happens if I'm having side effects?
If you are experiencing serious side effects or need emergency help — call 911 immediately.
If you are not experiencing serious side effects or having an emergency — you can discuss any questions, concerns, side effects, or prescription refills with your prescriber during your next session or send them a message directly.
Log into your account to start a new message. Responses may take up to 2 business days.
Is there a Cerebral mobile app?
Yes. You can use it to schedule appointments, see your progress journey, message your care team, and more.
Can I message my therapist or medication prescriber between sessions?
Yes, you can message your therapist or prescriber anytime between sessions.
Responses may take up to 2 business days.
Log into your account to start a new message.
How often can I meet with my therapist or prescriber?
Therapy
If you are subscribed to a 2x a month therapy plan:
Your subscription includes 2 sessions per month
If you are subscribed to a 4x a month therapy plan:
Your subscription includes 4 sessions per month
You may schedule additional sessions with either plan, which will be billed at $135 per session.
Medication
You will meet with your prescriber to complete your intake (typically done in one session). After that, you and your prescriber will decide how often you should meet according to their clinical recommendation and your specific needs.
Need more support?
You can log into your account and send a message to your prescriber or therapist directly if you need more support. Responses may take up to 2 business days.
Who is Cerebral for?
Cerebral is for anyone:
- Age 18 years or older
- Living in an area that we serve
- Not a beneficiary of Medicaid. (If you are a beneficiary of Medicare or certain other government-funded healthcare programs such as TRICARE and CHAMPUS, you may elect to pay for our services out-of-pocket. Terms and conditions vary by plan type.)
- Experiencing symptoms a mental health condition or who just wants to talk with someone
Seeking clinical or behavioral support to improve their mental health