Cerebral vs Talkspace: Which Online Therapy Platform Is Better?

Anxiety, stress, and depression – thankfully, it’s no longer taboo to discuss these prevalent mental health concerns. With tens of millions of adults and kids in the United States suffering from anxiety disorders, it’s about time that we bring mental health into the limelight.

Whether you’re looking to manage a mental health condition or alleviate occasional stress, therapy is a valuable tool. We can all benefit from speaking to a trained professional to overcome worries and anxieties, no matter how large or small. 

With the recent boom in telehealth services from the COVID-19 pandemic, online therapy platforms became a mainstream way to get the mental health care that you need. These “teletherapy” providers make it quicker, more convenient, and more affordable to talk to a therapist – and that’s something we can get behind!

If you’re looking to give teletherapy a try, the first step is to choose a platform. This has become a pretty crowded field over the past several years, but Talkspace and Cerebral are undoubtedly two of the forerunners. 

A summary of online therapy platforms

In past generations, mental health care was anything but accessible. For one, in-person therapy sessions average $100 to $200 per session, making cost a major barrier standing between many patients and the care that they need.

For those with mental health care insurance coverage, finding a local, in-network provider can prove to be mind-bending-ly frustrating, if not downright impossible. And that’s before you even decide whether or not the therapist is a good fit for you!

These factors leave out a significant downside of traditional therapy: convenience. Most therapists work within normal office hours, making it difficult to slot sessions into a busy schedule. Add in the time required to commute to that session, and it’s no wonder why people may give up on therapy altogether. 

With online therapy platforms like Talkspace and Cerebral, you don’t have to worry about these inconveniences. Virtual therapy is far less expensive than conventional therapy, and most platforms offer all-inclusive subscription plans. 

Additionally, teletherapy platforms do the hard work of finding a provider for you. In most cases, you’ll complete an initial assessment and, based on your answers, the platform will find a therapist within its network that matches your needs. 

We also can’t talk about online therapy without noting the benefit of getting mental health care from the comfort of home. No stuffy waiting rooms, no commute, and complete privacy – what’s not to like?

Cerebral vs Talkspace
Based on reviews from real users, Cerebral is our top choice for online therapy. They offer a more affordable and convenient option for both therapy, medication & care counseling Check Price →	Talkspace is also a convenient online therapy option if Cerebral isn’t available in your state. Thousands of patients have seen success connecting with a therapist via Talkspace. Try Talkspace →

Cerebral review

Read our in-depth review of Cerebral, or if you’re short on time, here’s a quick summary. Cerebral is a telehealth platform offering mental health services, including assessments, video and phone appointments, medication management, and medication delivery. The company’s mission is to bring affordable, high-quality, and on-demand mental health care to the masses. 

Additionally, Cerebral works hard to give users a stigma-free care platform. By getting the mental health care that you need from the comfort of your own home, you can steer clear of judgment and enjoy complete privacy. 

What does Cerebral treat?

Cerebral treats anxiety, depression, insomnia, depression, trauma, and PTSD. In certain states, the platform also offers treatment for ADHD, bipolar disorder, alcohol dependence, opioid use disorder, and chronic obesity. In addition, pediatric care and schizophrenia care will soon be added for certain states. 

Note that Cerebral recently stopped prescribing stimulants for ADHD. However, you can still receive non-stimulant ADHD treatments on the platform. 

Ease of signing up with Cerebral

Thankfully, it only takes a few minutes to register online with Cerebral. To get started, you’ll simply need to follow these steps:

1. Create an account 

First off, Cerebral will gather basic information including your name, address, phone number, a photo of your face, and a government-issued ID. You’ll also be asked which mental health concern(s) you’re seeking treatment for.  

2. Complete a questionnaire

Cerebral conducts an emotional assessment to find the right treatment plan for your needs. This questionnaire only takes a minute to complete and asks basic questions such as how often you experience feelings of fear or anxiety. 

3. Select a treatment plan

After finishing the emotional assessment, Cerebral will give you three different subscription package options (Medication + Care Counseling, Medication + Therapy, and Therapy). Once you select a package, the platform will offer a selection of therapists and/or prescribers, along with their bios. You can review the bios and choose the provider that best suits your needs.  

4. Consult with your prescriber virtually

Upon choosing a provider, Cerebral will schedule your first phone or video appointment within seven days. Your provider will establish your treatment plan during this appointment. 

If your provider includes medication in your treatment plan, they’ll order a monthly prescription. This prescription can be either shipped to your doorstep or picked up at a local pharmacy.  

5. Connect with your care counselor

With your treatment plan in place, you’ll either have a weekly virtual appointment with your therapist or speak with a Care Counselor via phone or video each month. You can also schedule a follow-up appointment with your therapist, Care Counselor, or prescriber at any time. 

Cerebral treatment plans

Above, we mentioned that Cerebral offers three different subscription plan options. These include:

Medication + Care Counseling

This membership plan includes:

• A virtual evaluation, diagnosis, and medication prescription from a licensed prescriber
• Monthly prescription delivery
• Monthly virtual sessions with your Care Counselor
• Behavioral health counseling and progress checks

With this plan, you’ll first meet with your prescriber to set your personalized treatment plan and prescribe the medication that you need. After this point, you’ll have monthly virtual meetings with a Care Counselor.

Your counselor is responsible for checking in on your well-being and the effectiveness of your treatment plan. You can ask them questions about your medication, side effects, and other mental health strategies, such as meditation and guided breathing.

Monthly meetings with your Care Counselor aren’t as extensive as therapy sessions, but still go a long way towards keeping your therapy journey on track. 

Medication + Therapy

This membership plan includes:

• A virtual evaluation, diagnosis, and medication prescription from a licensed prescriber
• Weekly virtual therapy sessions
• Monthly prescription delivery
• 24/7 virtual chat with your therapist
• Progress tracking from your prescriber and therapist

This treatment plan is more extensive than the Medication + Care Counseling option because you’ll meet with a licensed therapist rather than a Care Counselor. It’s a good choice for people who benefit from weekly therapy sessions and may need medication to manage their mental health concerns. 

Therapy sessions through Cerebral are conducted virtually and last for 45 minutes. All of the therapists on Cerebral are licensed in their state and use evidence-based tactics, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). 

Along with weekly therapy sessions, this subscription plan includes secure messaging with your therapist, which you can access at any time. 

Therapy

This membership plan includes:

• Weekly virtual therapy sessions
• 24/7 virtual chat with your therapist
• Progress tracking from your prescriber and therapist

This membership plan is a fitting option for patients who are interested in weekly therapy sessions but don’t require medication. You’ll get weekly virtual therapy sessions, access to a secure chat room with your therapist, and progress tracking.