BetterHelp Vs. Talkspace Vs. Cerebral Online Therapy

Therapy has gone virtual, making mental health support more accessible than ever. With online counseling from providers like BetterHelp, Talkspace, and Cerebral, you can get help for depression, anxiety, relationship issues and more without leaving home.

But how do you choose between the top virtual therapy platforms?

This comprehensive guide compares BetterHelp, Talkspace and Cerebral across key categories like availability, plans, features, specialties, and reviews to determine the best online counseling option for your needs and budget.

A Brief Comparison Table

Overview of BetterHelp

Founded in 2013, BetterHelp is one of the first and largest virtual counseling services, having matched over 2 million people with licensed therapists. BetterHelp touts affordability, flexibility and specialization as key advantages.

Here are some quick facts about BetterHelp:

• Over 15,000 licensed counselors representing over 90 specialties
• Optional video, phone, chat, and messaging sessions
• Plans from $60 – $90 weekly after initial week at $40
• Counselors typically respond within 24 hours
• Change counselors anytime for free
• Available worldwide with counselors in US, Canada, UK, Australia

Overview of Talkspace

Also launched in 2012, Talkspace boasts over 1 million users who have connected with licensed therapists through the platform’s web and mobile app. Their model uses text, video, and audio messaging for convenience and privacy.

Some Talkspace basics:

• Over 5,000 licensed therapists
• Matching based on over 80 specialties, goals, orientation
• Plans from $49 – $99 weekly
• Responses guaranteed within 24 hours
• Free counselor change within first month
• Service available nationwide

Overview of Cerebral

Cerebral is newer, founded in 2020, but gaining traction for its mental health assessments and treatment plans tailored to each individual. Their network includes counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists.

Cerebral service highlights:

• Over 2,000 licensed counselors and specialists
• Therapy and medication management
• Starter plan $29/month for monthly care plan
• Premium plan $325/month includes weekly 1:1 therapy
• Available nationwide
• Specializes in common disorders like anxiety, depression, PTSD

Also Read: Comparison Between HealthTap And SteadyMD Virtual Care Service.

Key Differences Among BetterHelp, Talkspace And Cerebral

Now that we’ve looked at a quick profile of each provider, let’s do an in-depth comparison across several key factors:

1. Types of Therapy Offered

All three platforms offer private online counseling conveniently through phone, video, chat and messaging. But there are some differences in features.

BetterHelp

• Live video or phone sessions
• Unlimited chat and messaging with therapist
• Ability to email journals or photos
• Optional couples counseling

Talkspace

• Live video available for extra fee
• Unlimited text, audio, and video messaging
• Send images, notes to supplement messages
• Also offers teen counseling

Cerebral

• No live video therapy offered currently
• Unlimited messaging with care team
• Submit progress notes and questionnaires
• Focused on individual therapy plans

If quick live video access is important, BetterHelp is the best choice here. But all provide ongoing support through unlimited messaging.

2. Specializations and Focus Areas

The therapy focus and counselor specialties vary somewhat between the three brands:

BetterHelp Specializations

• Over 90 areas from anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, self-esteem, anger management, etc.
• Counselors include psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists.

Talkspace Specializations

• Over 80 issues and goals covered including stress, relationships, parenting, addiction, life transitions.
• Also treats eating disorders, LGBTQ+ support, trauma, depression.
• Counselors have similar credentials to BetterHelp.

Cerebral Specializations

• Tailored specifically for common disorders like depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD.
• Also available for sleep, stress management, substance abuse.
• Involves care team of counselor, psychologist, and/or psychiatrist.

If seeking help for diagnosed conditions like depression or PTSD, Cerebral provides tailored treatment plans. For wider range of issues, BetterHelp and Talkspace have broader therapist networks.

Also Read: Comparison Between Headway And Grow Therapy

3. Medication Management

Cerebral is the only one of the three to incorporate prescription medications along with therapy:

• Offers medication management from network psychiatrists.
• Supports therapy with prescription if recommended after assessment.
• Provides ongoing oversight for medications prescribed.
• Ships medications directly to your door.

BetterHelp and Talkspace currently focus on counseling services only without in-house medication options. You’d need to get prescriptions from your regular healthcare provider.

4. Counselor Matching Process

All three services aim to pair you with a suitable counselor, but use somewhat different approaches.

BetterHelp Matching

• Answer questionnaire about needs, then suggest 3-4 counselors.
• Get therapist credentials and profiles before choosing one.
• Provides free counselor switches anytime.

Talkspace Matching

• First matched with a therapist based on needs.
• If unsatisfied after a month, get rematched for free.
• See counselor’s qualifications and style before starting.

Cerebral Matching

• Talk with care counselor to design custom treatment plan.
• Get assigned licensed counselor and/or psychiatrist based on plan.
• Currently no counselor rematching if unsatisfied.

BetterHelp and Talkspace give more direct control over counselor selection. Cerebral assigns based on your care plan.

5. Platform Experience and Features

The platform functionality and overall experience using the apps differ as well:

BetterHelp

• Easy access 24/7 through online portal or mobile app.
• Dashboard to schedule, communicate, journal, track progress.
• Not as many supplemental tools and features.
• Clean and simple interface.

Talkspace

• Web dashboard and user-friendly mobile app.
• More tools like meditations, assessments, goal setting, and e-courses.
• Can track moods and wellness on monthly progress report.
• Very convenient and discreet platform.

Cerebral

• Primarily uses web dashboard to communicate with care team.
• Submit journal entries and progress evaluations.
• Get care plan updates and prescription requests.
• Mobile app coming soon. Web interface only for now.

Talkspace likely provides the most well-rounded experience via their app. But all platforms are easy to use and access counseling.

Watch this review video:

6. Counselor Qualifications

The counselors and therapists across all three brands have proper licensed to provide mental health treatment:

• All counselors hold either a PhD, PsyD, or Masters level degree.
• Counselors are licensed psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, or professional counselors.
• Psychiatrists prescribed medications through Cerebral are board certified MDs.
• All providers must follow strict state and federal licensing requirements.

You can feel confident in the level of training and credentials with any of these online platforms.

7. Membership Plans and Pricing

Pricing and plan options vary across BetterHelp, Talkspace, and Cerebral. Here’s an overview:

BetterHelp Plans

• $60 – $90 per week depending on frequency of live sessions.
• Initial 7 days at $40 to try service out.
• Cancel anytime with no long term commitments.

Talkspace Plans

• $49 – $99 weekly based on messaging frequency and live video.
• Billed monthly with ability to pause or cancel anytime.
• Offer financial aid to those who qualify.

Cerebral Plans

• $29 monthly for basic care plan, $325 monthly for dedicated 1:1 therapy.
• Bill monthly with no long term commitments.
• First month free and financial assistance available.

In general, BetterHelp and Talkspace are most affordable, with Cerebral focused on customized treatment. But all offer lower cost options to make therapy accessible.

Also Read: Comparison Between Doctor On Demand And MDLIVE

8. Customer Reviews

Reviews from actual users can provide helpful insight into the real-life experience with these services:

BetterHelp Reviews

• Many praise convenience, easy access, and affordable pricing.
• Mixed feedback on quality of therapists matched with.
• Some concerns with hidden fees or billing issues.
• Note it takes effort to find best counselor fit.

Talkspace Reviews

• Also positive feedback on convenience and low cost.
• Some issues noted with delayed therapist responses.
• App and usability gets high marks from many users.
• Takes some trial and error to find most suitable counselor.

Cerebral Reviews

• Generally positive feedback on assessment process and treatment plans.
• Some concerns with medication management and prescription approvals.
• Issues noted with changing care teams and counselors.
• Helped many struggling with specific conditions like anxiety or ADHD.

While no service receives perfect reviews, the majority of users are happy with the convenience, value, and mental health support received through these platforms. Trying out different counselors can improve match quality.

Watch this review video:

Pros and Cons of BetterHelp, Talkspace, and Cerebral

To recap, here are the core advantages and disadvantages of each online therapy provider:

BetterHelp Pros

• Large therapist network across wide range of specialties
• Access live video counseling and change counselors anytime
• Flexible messaging-based therapy
• Affordable pricing with no long-term commitments

BetterHelp Cons

• Inconsistent reviews on therapist quality
• Members have reported some billing/fee issues
• Less supplemental tools than some competitors

Talkspace Pros

• Live video option available for extra fee
• Thoughtfully designed app with convenience features
• Broad therapist pool covering most common issues
• Also affordable and easy to pause or cancel

Talkspace Cons

• No diagnosis or prescription medications provided
• Some reports of delayed counselor response times
• Not as customizable of a therapy plan

Cerebral Pros

• Care team of therapist and psychiatrist
• Diagnosis and prescription medications if needed
• Tailored treatment programs for mental health disorders
• All-in-one approach to care

Cerebral Cons

• More limited counselor options than other platforms
• Higher cost unless you qualify for financial aid
• Mixed reviews of medication management process
• Currently no mobile app, web only

Also Read: Comparison Between GoodRx And OptumRx Prescription Savings Programs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Still evaluating BetterHelp, Talkspace and Cerebral? Here are some commonly asked questions and answers about these services:

Final Thoughts

While all three platforms provide convenient online access to mental health support and counseling, there are clear differences when choosing between BetterHelp, Talkspace and Cerebral.

BetterHelp offers the largest counselor network and live video chat, while Talkspace has the most advanced mobile app experience. For clinical diagnosis and prescription management, Cerebral may be preferable.

Determine whether you want general talk therapy, treatment for a diagnosed condition, medication management or some combination to find the right virtual counseling fit for your health needs and budget. Reading customer reviews can provide additional helpful insight into real user experiences.

With online therapy, support for depression, anxiety and other common issues is more available than ever. Choosing a trusted platform like BetterHelp, Talkspace or Cerebral is the first step to getting quality virtual mental health care.