Ketamine has been shown effective and safe for mental health conditions when provided in a safe therapeutic container under the supervision of a trained health care provider. This use is not approved by the FDA and is considered off label for mental health conditions.

At Luminous Spiral Healing, each patient is first screened by the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner to see if this modality is right for them. Then, the therapeutic journey begins with preparation sessions so the patient and their support team know what to expect. They receive the medicine under supervision of the provider in a therapeutic setting while being medically monitored. And the process continues with full integration provided.

Ketamine works on the NMDA receptor in the brain. When administered, it causes a person to feel some relaxation, dissociation, and other perceptual changes. When these changes occur in a therapeutic setting at standard, lower than anesthetic doses, a hormone called brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) is released and this may cause neuroplasticity in the brain. This is just one way that ketamine may help patients with treatment resistant conditions form new, positive connections and reduce depressive, anxious, or ruminating thoughts.

Ketamine is a medication. There are risks and benefits with any treatment and those must be discussed thoroughly with you before considering any medication or treatment. There are absolute contraindications and the provider will discuss your personal health and psychiatric history with you and determine, in collaboration with your other healthcare team, before making the determination if ketamine is appropriate for you.

January Robinson, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC has been providing ketamine services since 2019. Her training was both medical and using and Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapeutic approach. She is IFS level 1 trained. However, the provider is aware that each patient’s experience and therapeutic needs are individualized.

For more information, please reach out directly to my office. The treatments are IM and IV. Please call with any questions that you have.