Questions people ask

Ketamine has been used in emergency medicine, anesthesia, critical care, and hospital medicine since the 1970s. It is FDA-approved as an anesthetic and is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.

It is called a "dissociative anesthetic." At higher doses, the brain becomes temporarily less aware of the senses, which can create a sense of separation between mind and body. Ketamine is a Schedule III controlled substance.

Ketamine acts on many receptors in the brain. Its main effect is blocking the NMDA receptor on certain brain cells. Research suggests it turns down activity in what is called the default mode network and increases connections between other regions of the brain. Researchers are also studying its effects on neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to form new connections.

Its effects differ by dose. At lower doses, some people feel calmer, and some feel uneasy. At higher doses, it can create a trance-like state in which the brain is less aware of the senses.

Ketamine can be given through an IV, as an injection into the muscle, or as a tablet that dissolves in the mouth. I use injections and dissolving tablets, so there is no IV line or pump, and the room can feel calm rather than clinical.

Each route has its own pace: how quickly it starts, how deep it goes, and how long it lasts.

Ketamine Assisted Therapy uses ketamine alongside therapeutic support: preparation beforehand, support during the session, and integration afterward. During a session, ketamine changes perception and the usual flow of thought. Experiences vary widely. It is considered a form of Psychedelic Assisted Therapy.

There are three ways to do it here: with a therapist present, with a physician present, or as Ketamine Assisted Hakomi Sessions.

Some clinics offer ketamine mainly as a medical treatment, often by IV, with little time before or after. Here, the medicine is one part of the work. We prepare together beforehand, there is support during the session, and there is time afterward for integration.

Psychedelic medicines can change perception, mood, and the way we think, creating what is called a non-ordinary state of consciousness. Psychedelic Assisted Therapy is the intentional, supported use of these medicines in a therapeutic setting. Ketamine is the only one I offer.

Every session is different, even for the same person. Some people feel light, calm, and curious. Some feel warmth or empathy. Senses can blend, and some people feel outside their body or lose their usual sense of self. Some describe it as mystical. Others find it quieter or less eventful than they expected, and sometimes it is uncomfortable.

Integration afterward matters whatever the experience was.

A first session means a new room, a new medicine, and often a new person, and it is natural to feel on guard. Over two or three sessions, the setting and the experience can become more familiar, which can leave more room to work with what comes up.

Three is a suggestion, not a requirement. After that, we decide together.

Ketamine has a long safety record in medical settings, and it should only be used under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider. Before your first session we go through your health history and medications together, and I check your vital signs in person before every session. The room has monitoring and safety equipment.

Every medication has side effects. With ketamine they can include temporary nausea, vomiting, dizziness, impaired coordination, and raised blood pressure or heart rate. With frequent or long-term use, ketamine can irritate the bladder and urinary tract, causing urgency, frequent urination, or pain. We will go over these in more depth at your intake.

You will need a ride home after every session, and please do not drive until the next morning.

It can be. With frequent use, people can develop tolerance and dependence, and ketamine can be misused, especially recreationally or without medical supervision.

Ketamine Assisted Therapy here is different. The medicine is given only in the clinic, in measured doses spaced apart, under medical supervision. Used this way, the risk of addiction is low. We talk about your history with substances at your intake, so we can plan with that in mind.

Some mental health conditions need extra care with ketamine, including bipolar disorder or mania and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. If you live with one of these conditions, you will need to be in close, active care with a psychiatrist. I would work with your psychiatrist, and we would decide case by case.

If you are living with an active substance use disorder, you will need to be in care with an addiction medicine specialist. I work with several in the area; please ask.

Some medical conditions need extra care, and we will go over them at your intake. They include heart disease (including coronary artery disease), a history of stroke, uncontrolled high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, and liver or kidney problems. I do not offer ketamine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

People come to Ketamine Assisted Therapy for many reasons, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, substance use, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and other chronic pain, and distress around serious illness or the end of life. Whether it is a good fit for you is something we figure out together, starting with a free 10-minute call.

Yes. Sessions are the same as for anyone else: the same room, the same length, and the same support. Whether ketamine is a good fit for you is decided at your medical intake. Sometimes I will ask you to check with your own doctor first.

Yes. Ketamine has been FDA-approved as an anesthetic since 1970. Its use in Ketamine Assisted Therapy is off-label, meaning it is not FDA-approved for this purpose, though physicians can legally prescribe it this way. In 2019, a nasal spray form (esketamine) was approved for some types of depression.

Yes, and research is ongoing. Ketamine has been studied most for depression. I am happy to talk through what is known, and what is not, on our call.

I do not accept insurance, and most insurance does not cover Ketamine Assisted Therapy. I can provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement, and you may be able to use HSA or FSA funds. We go over payment methods at your intake.

If cost is a barrier, please let me know. A limited number of scholarships are available.

Fees depend on which option you choose. See the fees page. If you are paying out of pocket, you have the right to a Good Faith Estimate of expected costs.

If you already have a therapist you trust, you can do your sessions with them in the room. If you would like a quieter session with a physician present throughout, you can do them with me. If you are curious about working more actively with what comes up, Ketamine Assisted Hakomi Sessions may fit. We can sort it out on the call.

Yes. That is one of the three options. It can be a therapist you already see or one I suggest, and I talk with them beforehand. I do the medical intake and give the medicine, stay in the room for the first 15 to 30 minutes, and then stay in the clinic for the rest of the session.

No. All sessions are in Ventura, at 2929 Loma Vista Road. From Ojai, it is about 25 minutes down Highway 33.

Horizon Healing closed in September 2026. If we worked together there, I would be glad to continue with you in Ventura. Reach out through the contact form, and we will find a time to talk. You will fill out new intake forms, but we will not be starting from scratch. I hold Horizon Healing's client records; use the contact form if you would like a copy of yours.