Experienced Ketamine Infusion Therapy in NYC
Table of Contents
- What is ketamine therapy?
- How does ketamine therapy work?
- Is ketamine therapy right for me?
- What does ketamine therapy look like?
- How much does ketamine therapy cost?
- How can I find a mental health professional who can provide ketamine treatment?
- Ketamine assisted psychotherapy
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is ketamine therapy?
Ketamine, an anesthetic originally approved by the FDA in 1970, is a breakthrough treatment for depression. Ketamine has already helped thousands of people and is changing the face of mental health treatment with its effectiveness, rapid action and few side effects compared with other antidepressant treatments such as Prozac or Zoloft.
Ketamine was first used to treat depression in the early 2000s and its use has been expanded in recent years to other conditions, including OCD, PTSD, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, addiction, postpartum depression and chronic pain.
How does ketamine therapy work?
Ketamine acts on glutamate, a neurotransmitter in the brain, by reversing damage to connections between brain cells. This process, which repairs micro-damage to the brain, from stress, trauma, anxiety, depression, or addiction, can also build more brain (neurogenesis).
Ketamine acts on glutamate in the brain rather than serotonin as do older antidepressants, and can also reverse damage to the connections between brain cells that have been harmed by stress, anxiety and depression through neurogenesis and reducing inflammation.
What methods are used to give ketamine?
Ketamine can be given through an IV, an injection in the upper arm, a lozenge, or a nasal spray. IV and intramuscular injections have proven to be most effective in relieving symptoms. In any form, ketamine leaves the body within about 12 hours but its effects may last days or weeks.
Is ketamine therapy right for me?
For those who find little success from other conventional treatments for depression, such as antidepressant medications, ketamine therapy can be an excellent option. Usually, ketamine is explored as a depression treatment option only after traditional methods have failed. Specifically, the individual must be an adult who is either experiencing major depressive disorder or suicidal thoughts.
What does ketamine therapy look like?
Treatment typically involves multiple sessions over several weeks. In some cases, your clinician may recommend regular but less frequent sessions after your initial course to ensure that your symptoms do not return.
How much does ketamine therapy cost?
Ketamine treatments in the NYC area typically cost between $650 and $1,000 dollars per session. Although most practitioners do not accept insurance, if you have out-of-network benefits you may be able to have a portion of the costs reimbursed. Your clinician may be able to submit claims for reimbursement and clinical documentation on your behalf. Some clinicians offer free consultations to determine whether or not ketamine would be the right treatment for you.
How can I find a mental health professional who can provide ketamine treatment?
In selecting a clinician to provide ketamine treatments in New York City, you will have the choice of clinicians of various backgrounds, including psychiatrists, anesthesiologists, internists and even emergency medicine physicians.
It’s important that your care team is headed by a psychiatrist, as only a psychiatrist will be able to properly diagnose your depression or anxiety, determine the proper doses and frequency of ketamine treatments, and monitor your progress. Some practitioners have begun to pair ketamine treatments with psychotherapy sessions which may enhance results.
There are many options for ketamine in NYC, from small boutique practices to large clinics that do many treatments per day. When choosing a practice, it’s important to know how long they have been around, the training that their clinicians have undergone, how you will be monitored during the treatments, and what the setting is like. A calming and pleasant space free from distractions is ideal and most conducive to recovery.
Ketamine assisted psychotherapy
Ketamine can be used for treatment outside of depression, such as for general psychotherapy for a variety of mental health conditions. Because ketamine has been proven to be safe, and it produces an experience that is conducive to introspection, ketamine is used as a catalyst for psychotherapy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the percentage of people who get better from ketamine treatment?
About 70 to 85 percent of patients with severe depression who try ketamine treatment find it effective.
How quickly do people get better?
While many people feel the benefits to ketamine therapy during their first sessions, others do not see significant improvements until after several sessions.
Will I fall asleep during ketamine therapy?
The administered dose is too low to directly make you fall asleep. However, patients tend to feel relaxed and comfortable enough that many do take a nap during the session.
Will I get hallucinations or other side effects?
No, the administered dose is a fraction of the dose necessary to result in any hallucinations or significant side effects.
How safe is ketamine?
Ketamine has been in common use for the past 60 years in both adults and children, at significantly higher doses than what is typically used for treating mental health conditions today. Throughout ketamine’s history, we have found that it is a highly safe medication for use, in the correct environment.
Ketamine therapy at Integrative Psych
Integrative Psych is an NYC-based private practice with extensive experience delivering ketamine therapy. Many of our clients are based in Brooklyn, Queens, New Jersey, Manhattan (Chelsea, Village, Lower East Side, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Tribeca, SoHo), Connecticut, Westchester but we are licensed to treat anyone in the state of New York.
The treatment of mental health conditions is a challenging and nuanced task. At Integrative Psych, our ketamine treatment is only administered by trained, qualified mental health practitioners who can fully assess your mental health. Therapy is done in a warm and comfortable room, with noise canceling headphones, sleep masks, and blankets all provided to you. We have found that these techniques and values result in the best outcomes and fastest recoveries for our patients.
Finding an experienced psychiatrist for anxiety in New York City can provide valuable support and guidance in managing your symptoms. If you're interested in working with us, please book an appointment here.
At Integrative Psych, we are your premier destination for integrative and evidence-based therapy in New York City. Our team of experienced and compassionate therapists specializes in a wide range of mental health services, tailored to meet your unique needs. Whether you are seeking assistance with psychodynamic therapy nyc, bipolar disorder nyc, high-functioning anxiety nyc, complex PTSD nyc, or any other mental health concerns, we are here to support you on your healing journey.
At Integrative Psych, we firmly believe in the power of mindfulness-based therapy nyc to promote emotional well-being and personal growth. Our therapists are adept at integrating mindfulness-based techniques into their practice to help individuals cultivate present-moment awareness and develop healthier coping mechanisms for stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.
Patient Testimonials
“I was skeptical about ketamine’s ability to help me—I had already tried multiple antidepressants, so what would make this any different? [At Integrative Psych, I was] told that ketamine works differently than traditional antidepressants since it acts on different chemicals in the brain [and I] decided that I wanted to try it…When I got home, I felt like a whole new person. It was amazing to be able to wake up the next morning without the weight of my depression hanging over me. I’m still working to find the number of follow-up sessions that are right for me.”
“I've struggled with depression for a long time, I have been through various types of therapies and medications in the last 10 years. Unfortunately nothing helped me for long periods of time. Dr Sultan recommended a combination of Ketamine treatment and therapy, and so far it has made a huge difference in my life. The ketamine treatment doesn't take long and isn't invasive in any way. And I'm able to claim back both the ketamine treatment and my therapy sessions from my insurance. This has changed my life!”
“I have been on every depression medication since I was 13 years old and nothing worked. I tried various medications, TMS, and ECT and none of it helped. After about 3 ketamine treatment sessions, I started feeling different, the dark cloud started lifting. I was honestly able to say "I'm ok" without lying. I did 12 sessions and 2 maintenance sessions, and know that if I ever feel like I'm spiraling down that rabbit hole, I can just go back on a program and get through it.”
