Psychiatry Practice

What Is a Psychiatry Practice Offering Ketamine Therapy?

A psychiatry practice that offers ketamine therapy is led by a psychiatrist, a medical doctor specializing in mental health. Psychiatrists can prescribe medications, perform psychiatric evaluations, and manage complex treatment plans. When a psychiatry practice adds ketamine to its services, you are getting treatment from someone with deep expertise in psychiatric diagnosis and psychopharmacology.

At a psychiatry practice, ketamine may be administered as IV infusions, intramuscular injections, sublingual lozenges, or Spravato (esketamine nasal spray). Spravato is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression and must be administered in a certified healthcare setting under observation. Many psychiatry practices are Spravato-certified, making them one of the few places where you can receive this specific formulation.

The advantage of receiving ketamine through a psychiatry practice is the provider's ability to evaluate your full psychiatric picture. A psychiatrist can assess whether ketamine is appropriate given your diagnosis, medication regimen, and treatment history. They can also manage your other psychiatric medications alongside ketamine, adjusting doses or combinations as needed for the best overall outcome.

With 394 providers, psychiatry practices are the second-largest category in this directory. They are a particularly strong fit if you have a complex psychiatric history, are taking multiple medications, or want a provider who can offer comprehensive psychiatric care alongside ketamine treatment rather than ketamine as a standalone service.

What to Expect

Your first visit will involve a thorough psychiatric evaluation. The psychiatrist will assess your diagnosis, symptom severity, treatment history, and current medications. This evaluation is more comprehensive than a general medical screening because the provider is making a psychiatric determination about whether ketamine fits your overall treatment plan.

Treatment sessions vary based on the route of administration. If the practice offers Spravato, you will self-administer the nasal spray under supervision and remain in the office for at least two hours of monitoring, as required by the FDA's Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program. For IV or IM ketamine, sessions follow protocols similar to those at infusion clinics, with continuous monitoring.

Ongoing psychiatric care is a key part of the experience. Your psychiatrist will track your symptoms using validated assessment tools, adjust your treatment plan as needed, and manage any interactions between ketamine and your other medications. Follow-up appointments are standard to evaluate your progress over time.

How to Choose a Provider

Look for a board-certified psychiatrist with experience administering ketamine. Ask how many patients they have treated, what conditions they most commonly treat with ketamine, and whether they are Spravato-certified if you are interested in that option. Psychiatrists who have been offering ketamine for several years will have a clearer understanding of realistic outcomes.

Ask how the practice handles treatment monitoring and follow-up. Good psychiatry practices use standardized depression or anxiety scales to track your progress objectively. Find out whether your psychiatrist will be the one administering the treatment or whether a nurse or other staff member handles that portion, and who to contact if you have questions between appointments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between ketamine and Spravato?

Ketamine is a racemic mixture of two molecular forms. Spravato (esketamine) is a nasal spray containing only one of those forms and is FDA-approved specifically for treatment-resistant depression. Spravato must be administered in a certified setting. Standard ketamine can be used off-label and is available in multiple formulations including IV and sublingual.

Can a psychiatrist adjust my other medications alongside ketamine?

Yes, and this is one of the main advantages of receiving ketamine through a psychiatry practice. Your psychiatrist can evaluate how ketamine interacts with your current medications and make adjustments to your overall regimen. This is especially important if you are taking antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or benzodiazepines.

Do I need a referral to see a psychiatrist for ketamine therapy?

It depends on the practice and your insurance. Some psychiatry practices accept self-referrals, while others prefer or require a referral from your primary care provider or therapist. If you are using insurance, particularly for Spravato, your plan may have specific referral or prior authorization requirements.

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