Program/Pricing
What conditions do you treat?
Depression
Clinically referred to as major depression, depression is a serious mental health condition that has a negative impact on your feelings, thoughts, and the way you handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. People with depression can experience feelings of guilt, unworthiness, or low self-esteem, and they may start avoiding being around people. Depression is different than normal emotion of sadness or grief which will typically pass in a few days.
We do not have complete understanding of the causes of depression. However, we do know that some causes can arise organically from within an individual whereas others come from environmental events that affects the person. People differ in their susceptibility, both by virtue of the biological heritage, their parenting heritage, their styles of thinking, the coping skills they acquire or deliberately cultivate, and the degree to which situations afford them the ability to control their fate.
The two main types of treatment used for depression are medication and therapy. In cases of severe depression, therapies like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), ketamine – Spravato® is the only FDA approved ketamine for this indication, or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may help. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment for depression, so it is important to remember that what works for a friend or family member may not work as well for you. To truly heal from depression though, any treatment should be combined with some form of talk therapy to help you understand your triggers and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm or feelings of wanting to hurt others, then you need to seek immediate care by calling 911 or 988.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal response to stressors. Our bodies have an innate fight-or-flight response that stimulates our ability to respond to challenging situations to help us protect ourselves. However, when we develop anxiety, we become overwhelmed by normal stressors of life. For those with an anxiety disorder the anticipation of a future concern can be associated with a physiological response such as elevated heart rate, difficulty breathing, sweating, or chest pain to name a few; this response can lead to avoidance behavior. Anxiety disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness or anxiousness and involve excessive fear or anxiety that interfere with daily life. There are numerous types of anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, phobias, separation anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are among other mental health conditions that present with prominent anxiety.
The causes of anxiety disorders are currently unknown but likely involve a combination of factors including genetic, environmental, psychological and developmental. The cause is more than likely multifactorial as data shows that anxiety disorders run in families, suggesting that a combination of genes and environmental stresses may lead to the disorder.
Anxiety disorders are treated with psychotherapy and medications. These treatments can be given alone or in combination. Medications will not cure anxiety disorder; they provide relief from symptoms. Individuals can learn to cope with symptoms of anxiety disorders and make treatment more effective by learning stress management techniques and meditation.
When to consider other treatments?
-Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
-Have uncontrolled hypertension
-Have acute cardiovascular disease
-Had a previous negative response to ketamine therapy
-Have a history of psychosis, substance abuse, or increased intracranial pressure
What’s the process to get treatment for my depression and anxiety?
Your healing journey begins with a consultation with one of our medical providers. During the consultation you will have a discussion regarding your diagnosis, determine if you are a good candidate for sublingual ketamine at home, answer any questions you may have about ketamine and formulate a treatment plan if it’s determined this is the right path for you.
How much does ketamine treatment cost?
First Month – $250
- 30 minute consultation with a medical provider
- Post-Consult email summarizing the consultation and treatment protocol
- 30 Minute integration session with first treatment
- 15 minute follow-up phone call in 2 weeks after first session
Monthly follow-up appointments – $150
- Complete a PHQ-9/GAD 7 to track treatment progress
- 15 minute follow-up visit in person or telehealth with medical provider to address treatment progress, medication side effects, and any necessary dose adjustments
Integration sessions are offered through a Psychedelic Integration Specialist after your complimentary session. You will receive a referral. Pricing ranges from $50-$100 for 30-60 minute sessions.
The cost of medication is not included in the above pricing.
What pharmacy do I use for ketamine?
You may use your own compounding pharmacy. If you do not have a pharmacy preference, the prescription will be sent to an online compounding pharmacy. The online pharmacy will call you within 48 hours to pay for your prescription and will receive it within 2-4 business days. Pricing typically ranges from $50-$100 depending on the dosage.
How do you use ketamine sublingual troches?
You will be given detailed instructions on how to use ketamine troches by your provider in your post-consultation email. Basically, the ketamine troche is placed under your tongue and held there until it is entirely dissolved. Continue to hold the dissolvent and any saliva that builds up for at least 10-15 minutes, then spit it out. While it is safe to swallow, it may cause gastrointestinal upset.
How is sublingual ketamine different?
Traditional antidepressants target three neurotransmitters; serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine which together, they represent about 15% of the brain’s neurotransmitters. While the exact mechanism of action of ketamine is not well known, we do know that it targets the glutamate system, which is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter released by nerve cells in the brain. A recent study on the effectiveness of sublingual ketamine found that 89% of patients achieved relief from anxiety and depression symptoms. Ketamine disrupts negative feelings, stops the mind from racing and help the brain create new, healthier patterns. Patients typically feel symptoms relief the same day of treatment whereas traditional medications can take up to 6 weeks to work. While ketamine is not FDA approved from this indication, we know that it has been used safely since the 1970 in the operating room, on the battlefield by corpsmen, and in emergency rooms as a pediatric anesthetic and analgesic. The medical community is embracing the effectiveness of off-label ketamine use as an antidepressant and anxiolytic in the comfort of your home, on your schedule. Treatment with sublingual ketamine twice a week can provide lasting symptom relief especially when combined with integration or therapy.