How long does it take for therapy to work for anxiety?

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

Relationship Anxiety: Understand the Signs and Ways to Cope Relationships have the potential to bring immense joy, yet for many individuals, they can also become a significant source of anxiety. If you find yourself worrying about your partner’s feelings or constantly seeking reassurance, you might be experiencing relationship anxiety.  This type of anxiety often stems from past experiences or personal insecurities, which may have led you to have concerns about trust and commitment. The good news is that by identifying the signs, implementing strategies, and exploring Couples Therapy, you could create a more balanced and fulfilling relationship.  In this article, we’ll explore the signs that could suggest you’re experiencing relationship anxiety. Additionally, we’re sharing six practical tips to help you effectively manage and overcome it. {MiniWidget:Anxiety} Understanding the signs of relationship anxiety Relationship anxiety isn’t a formally recognized anxiety disorder. Although there isn’t a common consensus on its definition in the scientific community, it generally refers to when people have intense fears or worries about their relationships, especially their primary (intimate) relationship. It’s normal to feel some anxiety in a relationship, especially in the early stages or when trust has been shaken, such as dealing with infidelity. But if you’re feeling anxious on a regular basis, even when your relationship isn’t in crisis, then it could be a sign of relationship anxiety. Here are 11 signs of relationship anxiety: 1. You need constant reassurance You seek constant reassurance from your partner about their feelings and commitment. This need could stem from insecurities or past experiences that lead you to doubt the stability of your relationship. 2. You overthink interactions You find yourself overanalyzing every conversation and interaction you have with your partner. You replay what was said or done and worry about how they perceived your actions, which makes you feel even more stressed and confused. 3. You fear abandonment You experience a pervasive fear of being abandoned or left alone, and it significantly impacts your relationship. This fear may cause you to cling to your partner or act in ways that push them away. 4. You have difficulty trusting You find it challenging to trust your partner, even if they’ve done nothing to betray your trust. You often find yourself questioning their words or actions. This lack of trust can lead to feelings of suspicion and paranoia, and put a heavy strain on the relationship. 5. You are preoccupied with the relationship You may feel an overwhelming focus on your relationship, prioritizing it above your own needs and interests. This preoccupation can lead to obsessive thoughts and feelings that make it difficult to maintain a healthy balance in your life. 6. You experience jealousy and insecurity You frequently feel jealous or insecure about your partner’s interactions with others. These feelings often stem from a lack of self-confidence or a fear of losing your partner to someone you perceive as “better.” This insecurity might cause you to accuse your partner of betraying you even when they haven’t. 7. You doubt your partner’s feelings You frequently find yourself doubting your partner’s feelings toward you. This uncertainty can stem from past experiences or insecurities, but it could also be a sign of underlying self-esteem issues. Regardless of the reason, it can cause you to question their love or commitment. 8. You avoid conflict You tend to avoid addressing conflicts or difficult conversations for fear of upsetting your partner. This avoidance can lead to unresolved issues and resentment, which can ultimately harm the relationship over time. You might even experience self-silencing, which is when you suppress your inner voice and needs just to please your partner and avoid conflict. 9. You have intense emotional reactions You may experience intense emotional reactions to perceived slights or misunderstandings. These reactions can include anger, sadness, or frustration. They may be hard to understand from your partner’s point-of-view when they don’t understand the inner struggle that may be happening for you. 10. You notice physical symptoms of stress You might experience physical manifestations of stress, such as a racing heart, sweating, or stomach issues, especially during interactions with your partner or when you think about relationship challenges. 11. You seek control You may feel compelled to control various aspects of your relationship in an effort to calm your fears. This desire for control can manifest in behaviors like monitoring your partner’s activities or making excessive demands, which can create tension and strain. Relationship anxiety vs. Relationship OCD For some people, relationship anxiety could be so severe and disruptive that it could be considered a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD.  OCD is a mental health condition that causes two key symptoms: obsessions and compulsions.  Obsessions are intrusive and unwanted thoughts or urges that unrelentingly stick in the person’s mind. They cause intense feelings of fear, disgust, or shame. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that the person performs to try to keep themselves safe or reduce anxiety.  These symptoms make OCD different from standard anxiety. OCD obsessions and compulsions can revolve around any topic. Some people have obsessions about their relationship. People with relationship OCD have intrusive thoughts about the relationship or their partner that go beyond typical relationship anxiety. For example, they may second-guess their own feelings for their partner and worry that they aren’t actually in love. They might compulsively check their own feelings of attraction. It’s important to differentiate whether you have OCD or anxiety, because the treatments that are used in each condition are very different.  How to cope with relationship anxiety Here are some tips that may help you reduce relationship anxiety: 1. Acknowledge your feelings Start by recognizing that relationship anxiety is something you're dealing with. Identifying this emotional experience helps you confront it in a healthy way. It’s important to reflect on whether your worries come from past experiences, personal insecurities, or real issues in the relationship. Don’t push the feelings away; simply notice them.  2. Focus on open communication Talking openly with your partner about your feelings can help you gain reassurance and reduce misunderstandings. Expressing your concerns calmly without blame encourages trust and strengthens emotional connection, which can ease your anxiety. Avoid constant reassurance-seeking, but talk to your partner about how you’re feeling. 3. Practice self-care and mindfulness Taking care of your mental and physical health through activities like meditation, exercise, or journaling can help lower overall anxiety levels. Focusing on your well-being helps you feel more secure and grounded, which can go a long way in reducing the intensity of anxious thoughts about your relationship. 4. Challenge negative thoughts Anxiety can make you prone to overthinking or expecting the worst in your relationship. Learn to identify and question these thoughts by replacing them with more balanced, realistic perspectives. This is a technique based in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Focusing on making this mental shift can ease the pressure and stress you feel. 5. Set boundaries to prevent over-dependence It can be easy to get lost in relationships, especially when you live with relationship anxiety. Establish healthy boundaries with your partner to maintain a sense of individual identity. By giving each other space to grow separately, you build trust and reduce the anxiety that comes from being overly dependent on the relationship. 6. Learn about relationship anxiety Gaining knowledge about relationship anxiety can help you manage it. A study found that even a single session focused on teaching couples about unhelpful behaviors like constant reassurance-seeking and self-silencing made a big difference in reducing these behaviors. By learning more about these patterns and how to address them, you can feel more empowered and better equipped to navigate your relationship with less anxiety. Get professional support with Cerebral Some individuals may be able to manage relationship anxiety on their own, but if these worries have affected your relationships either currently or in the past, it may be a good idea to explore your symptoms and possible treatment. A therapist can also help you identify what’s triggering your relationship anxiety and learn new skills to manage it. In addition, if you’re experiencing relationship anxiety with your partner, then Couples Therapy could be a great option for you. A couples therapist can provide a safe place and third-party perspective on how to improve your relationship dynamics. Get started with Cerebral today and take the first step toward getting the support you deserve. Image by Anna Shvets on Pexels.