Brightside vs Cerebral
Both offer psychiatric medication management + therapy online. Brightside uses PHQ-9/GAD-7 measurement-based care and offers a Crisis Care program for suicidal ideation. Cerebral, following its 2024 FTC settlement, no longer prescribes Schedule II stimulants for ADHD in most states.
At a glance
| Aspect | Brightside | Cerebral |
|---|---|---|
| Measurement-based care | PHQ-9 / GAD-7 scored at every visit. | Standardized intake; ongoing measurement varies by clinician. |
| Crisis Care | Explicit Crisis Care program for suicidal ideation. | Standard psychiatric intake. |
| Controlled substances | Not prescribed. | Not prescribed (post-2023 policy change). |
| Insurance | In-network with Aetna, Cigna, UHC, Optum, others. | Commercial insurance accepted; coverage varies by state and service. |
- You want measurement-based-care with structured PHQ-9/GAD-7 tracking
- You want an explicit crisis-care pathway
- You want a cash-pay entry tier — visit provider for current details
- You already have Cerebral through your employer or plan
Things to consider
- Cerebral's 2024 FTC settlement is public record — corrective action was required. The company continues to operate under FTC-mandated privacy controls.
- Neither service prescribes controlled substances. For ADHD stimulant prescribing, see Circle Medical or a local psychiatrist.
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Frequently asked questions
What happened with Cerebral and the FTC?
In 2024 the FTC resolved a case against Cerebral over consumer-data disclosures. The company is under a mandated privacy program. See the FTC press release linked from Cerebral's provider profile for full details.