Ketamine Therapy
When depression, anxiety, or persistent pain has narrowed life—and standard treatment has not created enough movement—ketamine may offer a different way forward.
Ketamine works through pathways that differ from conventional antidepressants and many pain medications. For selected patients, it may reduce symptom intensity and create a period in which change, therapy, movement, and healthier patterns become more accessible.
How Ketamine Works
Ketamine affects brain and nervous-system pathways involved in mood, pain processing, learning, and emotional flexibility. Unlike many traditional antidepressants, it does not depend primarily on serotonin pathways and may act more quickly in some patients.
Who Ketamine
May Help
May be considered for treatment-resistant depression, selected anxiety conditions, chronic or oral sensitization, and central pain during opioid de-escalation.
What Treatment Is Like
Administered in a monitored clinical setting. You remain awake while you receive treatment. Sessions typically last 5–20 minutes, and most patients can return to normal activities afterward.
What to Expect
Some patients notice early changes, others improve more gradually. Improvement may include less emotional heaviness, reduced anxiety, lower pain intensity, better sleep, and greater engagement in daily life.
Safe and Monitored
We review your medical history, medications, and health risks to determine if ketamine is appropriate for you. Treatment is carefully monitored, and most side effects are temporary and resolve as the medication wears off.
More Than Symptom Relief
Ketamine may reduce the intensity of symptoms or loosen patterns that have felt fixed. This can create a better opportunity to engage in therapy, rebuild routines, improve sleep, return to movement, and make progress in the rest of your treatment plan.
Ketamine is not a standalone cure. It works best as part of a comprehensive, integrated approach to your mental and physical health.
When It May Not Be the Right Fit
Ketamine may not be appropriate for everyone. Certain medical or psychiatric conditions, active substance-use concerns, pregnancy, or uncontrolled health risks may change whether treatment is suitable. A detailed review helps ensure safety and appropriate care.
Part of a Broader Plan
Ketamine may be integrated with psychotherapy, medication management, sleep treatment, pain care, manual and movement-based care, opioid risk-reduction support, and health coaching. Its role is to create enough flexibility for the rest of treatment to become more effective.
Risks and Limitations
Temporary changes in perception, dizziness, nausea, or increases in blood pressure can occur. Ketamine does not help everyone, and improvement may be partial or temporary. More significant risks are uncommon and are reviewed before treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Ketamine works through different brain pathways and may act more quickly in some patients. It may be considered when standard antidepressants have not provided enough benefit or have been difficult to tolerate.
Some patients notice changes after one or several treatments, while others improve more gradually or not at all. The response is judged by meaningful changes in symptoms and daily function.
No. It may also be considered for selected anxiety conditions, chronic or neuropathic pain, and support during opioid de-escalation as part of a broader treatment plan.
Most patients remain able to communicate, but temporary changes in perception, time, sensation, or body awareness can occur. You are monitored throughout the session, and the effects usually fade as the medication wears off.
Therapy is not always required for ketamine treatment, but working with a therapist can help you make better use of any period of increased flexibility, insight, or symptom relief. Wellward can coordinate with your existing therapist or mental-health provider.
Possibly, but not automatically. The need for additional treatment depends on the quality and duration of benefit, safety, and how well progress is maintained through the rest of the care plan.
Could Ketamine Add Something Different
to Your Treatment Plan?
Explore whether medically supervised ketamine fits your condition, goals, and broader care plan.