The Science of Ketamine in Mental Health Treatment

Ketamine is a medication that has been used safely in medical settings for decades, primarily as an anesthetic. Over the past 20 years, a growing body of research has demonstrated that, at much lower doses, ketamine can produce rapid and meaningful antidepressant effects—often within hours to days, rather than the weeks required for traditional antidepressant medications.

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Unlike conventional antidepressants, which primarily target serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine systems, ketamine works through a different pathway. It acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist, influencing the brain’s glutamate system—the primary excitatory neurotransmitter network involved in learning, memory, and neural communication.

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Current research suggests several overlapping mechanisms.

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Ketamine appears to help “reset” dysfunctional neural circuits associated with depression, particularly those involving the prefrontal cortex and limbic system. This may contribute to the rapid relief many individuals experience.

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It also appears to enhance neuroplasticity. Ketamine promotes the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and activates pathways associated with the growth of new synaptic connections. In practical terms, this creates a temporary window in which the brain is more capable of forming new patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior.

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In addition, ketamine may help loosen rigid patterns of thinking and emotional reactivity. Depression, anxiety, and trauma-related conditions are often maintained by deeply ingrained loops. Ketamine appears to increase psychological flexibility, making it easier to shift perspective and engage more effectively in psychotherapy.

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When combined with psychotherapy, this period of increased plasticity can be used intentionally to support meaningful and lasting change.

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Research protocols commonly involve a series of repeated doses, often eight sessions over several weeks. This repeated exposure appears to support more durable changes in mood and cognitive patterns. While ketamine is best established for treatment-resistant depression, there is emerging evidence that it may also be helpful for certain individuals with anxiety and mood-related conditions when used within a carefully structured clinical setting.

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A Thoughtful, Accessible Approach at Waypoint Psychotherapy

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Ketamine treatment is often difficult to access. On one end are medical ketamine clinics offering intravenous infusions or esketamine (Spravato), which can be effective but are often expensive and primarily medically focused, with limited integration of psychotherapy. On the other end are at-home ketamine services, which increase accessibility but may lack sufficient clinical structure and support.

At Waypoint Psychotherapy, we aim to bridge this gap.

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We partner with Journey Clinical, a national medical provider specializing in ketamine treatment, to offer a model that is medically supervised, psychologically integrated, and more accessible than traditional clinic-based care, while also providing more structure and support than unsupervised at-home use.

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In this model, medication management is handled by a licensed prescribing psychiatrist through Journey Clinical, while your psychotherapy and the guided experience of ketamine sessions take place with your therapist at Waypoint.

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What Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Looks Like

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Initial Consultation at Waypoint

You meet with your therapist to assess your history, current symptoms, and treatment goals. If ketamine-assisted psychotherapy appears appropriate, we will discuss the process in detail and answer any questions.

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Referral to Journey Clinical

You will receive a link to schedule a consultation with a prescribing psychiatrist at Journey Clinical.

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Initial psychiatric consultation: $372

This includes the evaluation and medication for the first two doses.

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Follow-up consultation: $358

This includes the follow-up evaluation and medication for the next two doses.

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Medication Delivery

Ketamine is prepared by a licensed compounding pharmacy and shipped directly to you.

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Preparation and First Dosing Session

You bring the medication to your session at Waypoint. We provide a calm, private setting and guide you through the process, including monitoring vital signs and ensuring your comfort and safety.

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The medication is administered as a sublingual tablet, placed under the tongue and held for approximately 12 minutes before being spit out and rinsed. This method allows for a controlled and gradual onset of effects.

The first session is designed as a gentle introduction, helping you become familiar with the experience in a supportive environment.

 

Dosing Sessions

A typical session lasts approximately two hours from arrival to readiness to leave.

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Insurance typically covers 60 to 90 minutes of psychotherapy, depending on your plan.
An additional $100 facilitation fee applies for ketamine dosing sessions.

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Ongoing Treatment and Flexibility
After the first two to three sessions, many clients feel comfortable with the process. At that point, there is often the option to transition to at-home dosing with therapist support, where the initial portion of the session is conducted online. This can reduce both time and cost while maintaining clinical oversight.

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Our Clinical Approach

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At Waypoint, ketamine is not viewed as a stand-alone intervention, but as a tool that enhances psychotherapy.

We approach this work with careful attention to preparation, support during sessions, and integration.

Preparation involves clarifying intentions and helping you feel psychologically ready for the experience.
Support during sessions involves providing a grounded, safe, and responsive therapeutic presence.
Integration focuses on helping you make sense of your experience and translate it into meaningful and lasting change.

The goal is not only symptom relief, but a deeper and more sustainable shift in how you experience yourself and your life.

 

Is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Right for You?

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Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may be appropriate for individuals who:

Have not responded adequately to traditional treatments
Experience persistent depression or mood instability
Feel stuck in rigid emotional or cognitive patterns
Are seeking a treatment that combines biological and psychological approaches

If you are curious whether this approach may be a good fit, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our team.

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Click the videos below to learn more about ketamine, or schedule a consultation here.

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