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Ketamine Therapy Explained: How It Helps Depression and Anxiety

Ketamine Therapy Explained

by | Nov 11, 2025

Depression and anxiety are among the most common mental health conditions, affecting millions of people worldwide. For many, traditional treatments like antidepressants or therapy may not provide adequate relief. In such cases, ketamine therapy has emerged as a promising and innovative solution. Originally used as an anesthetic, ketamine is now recognized for its ability to alleviate depressive and anxious symptoms rapidly, often when other treatments have failed.
Clinics like Family Psychological Services, Inc. (FPSCA) in Agoura Hills, California, specialize in providing professional care for individuals seeking ketamine therapy. Their comprehensive mental health approach ensures that patients receive safe, evidence-based treatment tailored to their unique needs.
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What is Ketamine Therapy?

Ketamine therapy involves the use of ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, in low doses to treat mental health conditions. Unlike conventional antidepressants, which can take weeks to show noticeable effects, ketamine can produce rapid improvements in mood, often within hours or a few days. This speed makes it particularly valuable for individuals experiencing severe depression or anxiety that does not respond to traditional treatments.
Ketamine can be administered in several forms:
  • Intravenous (IV) Infusion: The most common method in clinical settings, allowing precise dosing and monitoring of patient response.
  • Nasal Spray: FDA-approved Spravato (Esketamine) is a nasal spray specifically used for treatment-resistant depression. Administered under professional supervision, it provides a controlled and effective treatment option.
  • Oral or Sublingual Forms: Less commonly used, these methods are typically reserved for experimental or adjunctive therapy.
At FPSCA, licensed clinicians conduct thorough evaluations before starting treatment, ensuring each patient receives a safe and personalized approach.
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How Ketamine Works in the Brain

Ketamine functions differently from traditional antidepressants, which primarily target serotonin and norepinephrine systems. Its primary mechanism involves modulating NMDA receptors in the brain and enhancing glutamate signaling. This activity promotes neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to form new neural connections, which is often impaired in individuals with depression and anxiety.
Key Effects of Ketamine:
  • Rapid Relief: Patients often experience improvements in mood within hours or days, rather than weeks.
  • Anxiety Reduction: Ketamine can help reduce persistent worry, tension, and intrusive thoughts.
  • Enhanced Brain Function: By promoting neuroplasticity, ketamine may help restore healthy cognitive and emotional functioning.
Because ketamine targets neural pathways not addressed by SSRIs or traditional antidepressants, it is particularly effective for individuals with treatment-resistant depression.
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Conditions Treated with Ketamine Therapy

Ketamine therapy has demonstrated efficacy in treating a range of mental health conditions, including:
  • Major Depressive Disorder: Particularly in individuals who have not responded to standard antidepressants.
  • Treatment-Resistant Depression: Provides a vital option when multiple medications have failed.
  • Anxiety Disorders: Including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and panic disorders.
  • Emerging Applications: Research continues on ketamine’s potential in PTSD, chronic pain, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Patients undergo a comprehensive assessment at FPSCA, ensuring ketamine therapy is appropriate for their specific condition. A tailored treatment plan maximizes efficacy while minimizing risk.
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Spravato (Esketamine) and Its Role

Spravato is an FDA-approved nasal spray derived from ketamine, indicated for adults with treatment-resistant depression. Unlike traditional ketamine infusions, Spravato is administered as a nasal spray in a clinical setting under strict supervision.
Key Features of Spravato:
  • Rapid Symptom Relief: Patients often notice improvements within hours, particularly in mood and suicidal ideation.
  • Adjunctive Treatment: Spravato is usually combined with oral antidepressants for optimal results.
  • Professional Supervision: Patients are monitored for potential side effects during and after each session.
  • Tailored Treatment Schedule: Dosing frequency is adjusted based on individual response and clinical guidelines.
By providing a standardized, controlled option, Spravato expands access to ketamine therapy while maintaining safety and efficacy standards in licensed clinics like FPSCA.

What to Expect During Ketamine Treatment

Before beginning ketamine therapy, patients undergo a detailed evaluation to assess their medical history, mental health status, and treatment goals. This assessment ensures safety and identifies the most effective treatment approach.
Typical Treatment Process:
  • Pre-Treatment Assessment: Comprehensive mental health evaluation, including current symptoms, prior treatments, and potential contraindications.
  • Treatment Administration: Depending on the method, ketamine is delivered via IV infusion or Spravato nasal spray under professional supervision.
  • Monitoring: Patients are closely observed during and after each session to manage potential side effects.
  • Treatment Frequency: Initial therapy often involves multiple sessions per week, with maintenance sessions scheduled based on patient response.
Possible Side Effects:
  • Temporary dissociation or altered perception
  • Nausea or dizziness
  • Mild headaches or fatigue
  • Temporary increases in blood pressure
Clinics like FPSCA ensure patient safety through professional monitoring and post-treatment support, providing peace of mind for those exploring ketamine therapy.

Benefits of Ketamine Therapy

Ketamine therapy offers several advantages, particularly for individuals who have not found relief from traditional treatments:
  • Rapid Mood Improvement: Relief from depressive symptoms can occur within hours or days.
  • Reduction of Suicidal Thoughts: Ketamine can be life-saving for individuals experiencing severe depression or suicidal ideation.
  • Improved Functioning: Anxiety reduction and mood improvement support better daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life.
  • Treatment-Resistant Depression: Provides an alternative path for patients who have not responded to other therapies.
Clinical studies consistently demonstrate ketamine’s effectiveness, making it a valuable tool for modern mental health care.

Risks and Considerations

While ketamine therapy is generally safe under clinical supervision, it is not without risks:
  • Short-Term Side Effects: Dissociation, nausea, dizziness, or elevated blood pressure.
  • Not Suitable for Everyone: Individuals with certain heart conditions or a history of substance abuse may require alternative therapies.
  • Long-Term Considerations: Although research is ongoing, long-term effects are not fully understood, making follow-up care essential.
A licensed clinician can weigh the risks and benefits for each patient, ensuring ketamine therapy is delivered safely and effectively.

Integrating Ketamine Therapy into a Comprehensive Treatment Plan

Ketamine therapy is most effective when combined with other mental health strategies, forming a comprehensive approach:
  • Psychotherapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other therapeutic modalities enhance long-term outcomes.
  • Lifestyle Interventions: Exercise, proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and stress management complement the therapy.
  • Ongoing Support: Licensed mental health professionals provide guidance and monitoring to optimize results.
FPSCA offers a personalized treatment plan that integrates ketamine therapy with other interventions, ensuring a holistic approach to mental wellness.
Ketamine therapy represents a breakthrough in the treatment of depression and anxiety, particularly for patients who have not responded to conventional therapies. FDA-approved options like Spravato provide additional pathways for rapid symptom relief in treatment-resistant cases. Seeking professional guidance at trusted clinics like FPSCA ensures safe administration, personalized care, and integration into a comprehensive mental health plan.

Start Your Personalized Ketamine Therapy at FPSCA

At Family Psychological Services, we provide comprehensive care for depression and anxiety, including personalized ketamine therapy and psychiatric medication management. Our certified professionals work closely with you to determine the treatments, doses, and schedules that best address your unique symptoms. We prioritize clear communication and careful monitoring to ensure safe, effective care that supports your mental health and recovery goals.
Contact us today to start setting effective, personalized treatment goals for depression and anxiety. Whether you have questions about ketamine therapy, medication options, or other treatment plans, our team at FPSCA is here to guide and support you every step of the way.
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