Ketamine-Assisted Therapy
Medically supervised ketamine treatment combined with psychotherapy, used for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, or PTSD.
Ketamine-assisted therapy combines medically supervised, low-dose ketamine administration with psychotherapy, most often explored for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, or PTSD when other approaches haven't provided sufficient relief. This is a medical treatment requiring a licensed prescriber (physician or, in some states, nurse practitioner), typically delivered alongside a therapist for preparation and integration sessions. Broader psychedelic-assisted therapy (using substances like psilocybin) is a related but distinct, and much more legally restricted, field, currently only available through specific state-regulated programs (such as in Oregon and Colorado) or FDA clinical trials, not general practice. If you're specifically interested in that, confirm legal status in your state before pursuing it.
Medically supervised ketamine treatment paired with psychotherapy for treatment-resistant conditions.
What to expect: This is a structured, multi-part process: a medical evaluation to confirm you're an appropriate candidate, one or more preparation sessions with a therapist, the ketamine sessions themselves (medically supervised, typically 1–2 hours each, with a lingering after-effect period), and integration sessions afterward to process the experience. It's typically delivered as a series over several weeks, not a single appointment. Cost and insurance coverage vary significantly, ask about this upfront.
Good fit for: You've tried other treatment approaches for depression, anxiety, or PTSD without sufficient relief, You're working with, or willing to coordinate with, your existing psychiatric provider, You're prepared for the full process (medical evaluation, preparation, sessions, integration), not just the ketamine session itself, You've confirmed the clinic uses licensed medical and therapeutic staff
Explore for: Depression, anxiety, or PTSD that hasn't responded to other treatment approaches, Wanting to explore this specifically alongside, not instead of, your existing psychiatric care, Being medically appropriate for ketamine treatment (a prescriber will assess this), Readiness for the intensive preparation and integration process this approach involves, Interest in a treatment combining a medical intervention with structured psychotherapy
Not the right fit if: You have a medical condition where ketamine is contraindicated (certain cardiovascular conditions, uncontrolled high blood pressure, psychosis history), this requires a thorough medical screening, You're looking for a single-session quick fix without the preparation and integration process, You're pregnant or nursing, You haven't discussed this with your current psychiatric provider, and coordination matters here
How to choose a practitioner: Confirm the clinic uses licensed medical prescribers (not just any staff) for the ketamine administration itself Ask about the therapist's training in psychedelic-assisted or ketamine-assisted integration specifically Ask directly about their medical screening process and how they handle safety monitoring during sessions Confirm current legal status in your state, this is an evolving regulatory area
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