Cerebral vs Klarity (A Comparison of Both)
By
OptimistMinds
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Author bio
The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.
In this detailed review, we will be shedding light on the main features of Cerebral and Klarity and comparing the services of these two platforms. Both of these are certainly mental health care platforms but differ in their target population. Cerebral is an overall mental health care platform that can be used for any mental health condition while Klarity focuses mainly on ADHD.
The table below will help you understand the main services offered by Cerebral and Klarity, while also showing you the dissimilarities between these two.
| Feature | Cerebral | Klarity |
| Types of services | Therapy and Psychiatry | Psychiatry services |
| Pricing | Min 85 USD | Min 25 USD |
| Payment options | All major credit or debit cards, HSA, FSA | All major credit cards or debit cards, HAS, FSA |
| Insurance | Available | Unvailable |
| Age group | 18 years and above | Any age group |
Cerebral
Pros
- Cerebral offers therapy as well as psychiatry services
- It caters to several mental health conditions
- It can be covered by insurance
Cons
- It does not offer couples therapy or teens therapy
- It does not have any group sessions
- Therapy services are not available in all the states
Klarity
Pros
- Klarity offers high-quality psychiatry services
- Users can quickly access medication
- It also provides diagnosis
Cons
- There is no insurance coverage here
- Quality of service depends on the provider
- Users have experienced scheduling difficulties
About Cerebral
Cerebral is a tele-health company that was founded in January 2020 by Kyle Robertson. The timing was right on the money with the coronavirus pandemic where thousands were looking for online mental health care platforms. Cerebral was initially called Get Cerebral which is how many people still know the platform.
The main aim of Cerebral is to make the access to mental health care easy and quick. Cerebral offers psychiatry services and also therapy services for its users. There are several plans for users to choose from depending on whether they need therapy alone or only medications or require both these services.
The services in Cerebral are offered through various formats such as live phone sessions and live video sessions. There is also an unlimited messaging feature that is in-built in the platform. Cerebral is pretty affordable and can be easily covered through insurance. This is applicable for the therapy as well the psychiatry services of the platform.
About Klarity
Klarity or Klarity ADHD is a platform that caters to adult ADHD and those who have ADHD – like symptoms. While this mainly caters to adults who are experiencing ADHD, it can be used for those below the age of 18 years as well. In Klarity, the user can get quick access to a medical professional who can help them get the right treatment for their condition.
Treatment is not the only service that is provided in Klarity. Users can also get diagnosed for their ADHD here. The medical professionals in this platform offer a variety of medications for the different groups of symptoms. The affordability of the platform is also pretty high even though Klarity does not offer any insurance coverage.
Best features of Cerebral
Cerebral is a large platform that has served over 100,000 patients ever since its founding. Here are several features available in this platform that users have genuinely loved and found helpful for their mental health. The best of these have been explored in the points below.
Cerebral offers remote access to mental health care
Cerebral can be used from anywhere and everywhere as it operates completely online. The services are available in almost all the states of the US. Thus, those who stay in remote towns can also access high-quality mental health professionals. The online nature of the platform enables even those with very busy schedules to access mental health care at any time.
Therapy as well as psychiatry can be accessed
In this platform, users can avail both therapy services as well as psychiatry services. This means that Cerebral becomes a one-stop shop for all needs and requirements related to mental health care. The therapy or coaching is provided by licensed and accredited therapists while the medications are prescribed by experienced psychiatrists or prescribers.
It is eligible for insurance coverage
Insurance coverage is also easily available in this platform, which greatly increases its affordability and thus accessibility for all. The insurance coverage is made possible by plenty of in-network providers including Aetna, Cigna and Optum. The good thing about the insurance policy in Cerebral is that it covers the therapy as well as medication services as well.
It offers several plans to choose from
Users of Cerebral can opt from several plans in the platform. The platform offers a plan only for coaching or therapy. It also offers a plan only for medications or drugs. Users also have access to care counseling in these plans. Cerebral also offers a plan in which psychiatry services as well as therapy services are available for those who need both.
There is unlimited messaging available here
Users of Cerebral can communicate through several options that are provided in the plans of the platform. While live sessions are conducted through phone calls or video conferencing, users can also communicate with their care teams through unlimited text messaging. This provides continuous emotional support and guidance to the user.
It offers care counseling
Care counseling is another unique feature that is available in Cerebral. This is part of the collaborative care model that the platform uses for all its patients. The care counselor in Cerebral is a mental health professional who may or may not be a licensed therapist. However, the care counselor is integral to mental health care and provides training in behavioral techniques.
Cerebral is very safe
The platform is completely HIPAA compliant and has a very high level of safety and security for its users. The information and the identity of the users are protected using end to end encryptions, strong firewalls and multi-step authentications. Since all the communication is in-person, it brings an added blanket of physical security to the users.
It can cater to a wide range of conditions
Cerebral can be used to treat a wide range of mental health conditions like Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia and even menopausal depression. However, certain conditions like ADHD and Bipolar disorder which may require the prescription of controlled substances cannot be treated in all the states where Cerebral offers its services.
The medications are sent to the user directly
The medications or drugs in the platform are sent to the home of the user directly, thus saving them from a needless journey to the pharmacy. The good thing about this is that the medications are sent in very discreet packaging. The refills are also sent automatically to the user every month.
Documents and certificates can be availed here
Certificates and documents related to disabilities, work leaves and even other factors such as emotional support animals can be easily availed through Cerebral. This however depends on the decision of the prescriber. This makes it easy for many to receive compensation or other benefits that these documents can bring.
Best features of Klarity
Klarity has a large collection of features that can be quite positive for anyone who is suffering from ADHD or ADHD-like symptoms. Some of these have been described in the following points.
Klarity offers quick access to physicians
Through Klarity, those who have ADHD can access physicians in a short span of time. The user simply has to fill out an evaluation form and mention their location as well as the symptoms they are experiencing. The platform will create an appointment for them in a couple of days after which they will be prescribed the required treatment.
It is pretty affordable
While compared to traditional mental health care facilities, specifically related to the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Klarity is much more affordable. The platform does not accept insurance coverage, but can be used for reimbursements though. Still, it is quite affordable and therefore easily accessible.
It provides diagnoses as well
In Klarity, the user can not only avail treatment but also diagnosis from medical professionals here. The physicians in the platform are licensed and well-experienced to diagnose those who think they might have ADHD. The consultation is for a period of thirty minutes and is conducted completely online and also offers the user an evaluation report.
It offers a range of medications
In Klarity, there are a range of medications and options that users can experience for their treatment. Users can recommend stimulant medications and even non-stimulant medications in this platform. Furthermore, there are even SSRIs and SNRIs that can be great for the treatment of those who have ADHD.
Klarity offers treatment for other comorbidities as well
Those who have ADHD may also have other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. Klarity has options for the treatment of these as well. The great thing about this is that many of the treatments for anxiety and depression can be used for the management of symptoms of ADHD as well.
It can be used for ADHD-like symptoms also
Klarity not only caters to those who have a full-fledged Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It can be great for those who have Attention Deficit Disorder as well. ADD is a condition similar to ADHD where the individual only experiences lapses in concentration and attention but otherwise might not have hyperactivity.
The consultation can be conducted online
All the consultations in Klarity can be conducted in the privacy and security of the user’s home. The individual does not need to leave the house at all for their treatment. The sessions are mostly conducted through video format and can range from the duration of thirty minutes to 45 minutes depending on the availability of the prescriber and the needs of the user.
There are plenty of other resources
There are also plenty of other resources that are offered in Klarity. The blog of the website is continuously updated with useful information related to ADHD and the available treatments for it. In addition, there are also many articles that offer advice on how to navigate certain areas of life for those who are living with ADHD.
Pricing of Cerebral
The prices of Cerebral mainly depend on the type of plan that the user is choosing. The platform offers mainly three types of plans of which the Medication + Care Counseling plan is the cheapest at $85 per month. The Coaching only plan costs $145 per month while the Medication + Coaching plan costs $195 per month. Cerebral offers discounted rates for the first month.
Pricing of Klarity
For the ADHD treatment in Klarity, users can expect to spend $25 per month. For every refill, the user will have to pay $25 as well. This will cover the consultations and also the prices of the medications for the user. The medications will be sent to the local pharmacy where the user can pick them up.
Signing up for Cerebral
To sign up for Cerebral, the user will have to take the brief emotional assessment that is provided in the landing page of the platform. Once the assessment has been done, the user can formally sign-up with their basic details. The next step will be a video or phone consultation with a mental health professional who will direct the user to the next line of treatment.
Signing up for Klarity
To sign-up for the treatment in Klarity ADHD, users can go to the website and take the self-evaluation that the platform provides. Those who have already been diagnosed with ADHD can go to the treatment part of the platform and those who need a diagnosis of their condition can go to the diagnosis part.
Tips for using Cerebral
Cerebral can be used in a number of ways to improve your mental health. Some tips to improve your experience on this platform have been mentioned below.
- To make the best use of your live sessions in Cerebral, make sure that you are in a quiet spot in your home. If you cannot find one in your home, you can always use a quiet park, or even your rooftop.
- You can always maintain a therapy journal to help you vent and express yourself outside of your therapy sessions. In this journal, you can write down your goals and vision for your mental health and also record your reflections from your therapy sessions.
- Cerebral offers care counseling to all its users. The care counselor will train you in various behavioral techniques and you can also message them unlimitedly. This feature can be used to express your feelings, sort your thoughts better and also set reminders for talking points for therapy.
Tips for using Klarity
Those who are using Klarity for the treatment of their ADHD can find great use in the tips mentioned below. These suggestions can improve the user experience in the platform and also contribute to their overall treatment.
- Go through the blog of the website often. It is regularly replenished with content and articles related to ADHD, medications and also advice corners that can help in many areas of life such as relationships and careers.
- If the prescribed course of medication does not work for you, don’t worry. The platform offers a wide range of treatments from stimulants, to non-stimulants and even SSRIs and SNRIs. You are sure to find the right combination that helps in boosting your performance through this portal.
- If you are opting for a live video consultation in Klarity, make sure that you are being as expressive as you can about your symptoms and your feelings. This will allow the doctor to understand you better even if you are not in the same room as them.
Personal experiences in Cerebral
Cerebral has a rating of 4.7 stars in Apple apps and a rating of 4.3 stars in the Google Play store. Most of the users of this platform have had positive experiences. Some of their experiences have been explored in the points below.
- A large percentage of users of Cerebral have felt that the access to mental health care is pretty quick and easy on this platform.
- However, many users have complained that the app of Cerebral has many bugs and thus many glitches often keep recurring.
- Some users have experienced difficulties when their clinicians or prescribers suddenly cancel on their appointments.
- Most users have felt that the platform is really useful for psychiatry services. They have also enjoyed the fact that the medications are delivered directly to the home of the user.
Personal experiences in Klarity
Klarity ADHD has been in the industry for more than 10 years and has served millions of users so far. The platform is solely dedicated to the treatment of ADHD, especially adult ADHD. Some experiences that users have had in this platform while seeking treatment have been compiled below.
- Users of Klarity ADHD have felt that the platform definitely helps in the treatment of the condition both by the high quality of treatment and quick access to treatment.
- Many users have loved that all the consultations can be completed online and does not require in-person meetings.
- Users have also felt that the medications prescribed by the platform have been very useful for the management of the symptoms of their ADHD.
- The medications are also delivered directly to the home of the user which is one of the best-selling points of the platform.
Conclusion
Cerebral and Klarity might be both in the mental health care industry. However, Cerebral offers treatment for all types of mental health conditions including ADHD, while Klarity only focuses on ADHD. Thus, both these platforms have been designed keeping these conditions and factors in mind.
In Cerebral, the user can avail therapy, medications or both these services by opting for certain plans. The platform also offers care counseling through which the user is provided with constant emotional support and behavioral techniques for the management of symptoms. The plans of Cerebral can also be covered through insurance and thus are very affordable.
Klarity is a platform where the user can avail treatment for the management of their ADHD. This platform has been designed in such a manner so that those who have ADHD can easily consult their doctor, be diagnosed or get treatment. There are also various types of medication available in the platform for the treatment of ADHD.
BetterHelp: A Better Alternative
If you are on the prowl for an amazing platform that offers superb mental health services, we would highly recommend BetterHelp. BetterHelp offers individual therapy services, couples therapy services and even therapy for teenagers. Furthermore, the platform also provides group therapy sessions that are conducted about once a week.
The subscription to BetterHelp is pretty affordable and while there is no insurance coverage here, the platform provides financial assistance to those who are unemployed, disabled and even those who have veteran status. The financial assistance needs to be renewed every three months and can reduce the costs of therapy by up to 25 per cent.
Frequently asked questions:
Does Klarity take insurance?
No, Klarity does not take insurance. However, the treatment in this platform is very affordable so that anyone with ADHD can make use of it easily.
How to cancel/reschedule my appointments in Klarity?
To cancel/reschedule your appointment in Klarity, you can do so through the client portal. If this is not working for you, you can always contact the customer support of the platform for this.
Is Cerebral in network?
Yes, Cerebral is in-network with several insurance providers such as Cigna, Optum and even Aetna. Tricare is also included here so that active duty members and their families can get mental health care.
Can you cancel Cerebral anytime?
Yes, you can cancel Cerebral at any time by simply sending an email request to the customer support team of the platform. However, Cerebral advises longer commitments as the process of mental health care takes time and effort.
How do I change my Cerebral plan?
To change the type of your membership plan, you can go to the ‘My Membership Plan’ of the platform and change the type of your plan. You can also contact the ‘Coordinator’ who will do it for you.
If you like this review, please post your comments and questions below.
Citations
https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/cerebral
https://oakhcft.medium.com/in-conversation-with-kyle-robertson-co-founder-ceo-cerebral-13255b05a15a
https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/digital-mental-health-subscription-service-cerebral-lands-35m
https://www.reviews.io/company-reviews/store/klarityadhd
https://forums.howtoadhd.com/t/has-anyone-ever-used-klarity-adhd-before-to-get-a-refill/9269
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