When traditional therapy
has stopped working.
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is a physician-supervised treatment for depression, PTSD, anxiety, and chronic pain that hasn't responded to first-line options. Held safely. Integrated thoughtfully.
A different kind of opening.
Ketamine has been used safely in medicine for over half a century. At sub-anesthetic doses, in the right setting, it temporarily quiets the brain's default-mode network, the part responsible for rumination, self-judgment, and rigid thinking.
In that window, talk therapy works differently. New perspectives become reachable. Old patterns become editable. The medicine isn't the treatment, the medicine creates room for the treatment.
Sessions are held in a calm clinical setting, supervised by Dr. Napolitano, and paired with structured integration. This is psychiatric medicine, not a wellness trend.
Most often
used for:
Ketamine therapy is most useful for conditions that haven't responded to two or more conventional treatments. It is not a first-line option, and it's not for everyone.
Treatment-resistant depression
When two or more antidepressants haven't worked, ketamine can break through where SSRIs cannot.
PTSD & trauma
Particularly when memories feel stuck. Paired with integration therapy for lasting change.
Persistent anxiety
Generalized anxiety and panic that has not responded to talk therapy alone.
Suicidal ideation
Ketamine has rapid effects on acute suicidality. We screen carefully and coordinate with your psychiatrist.
Chronic pain
Neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and persistent post-injury pain syndromes.
Existential distress
End-of-life and meaning-related distress, often in collaboration with palliative care.
Six steps,
walked carefully.
The protocol is the safety. We don't shortcut it.
Consultation
A free 20-minute call to see if it's a fit. We screen for contraindications and answer questions.
Medical clearance
Full medical and psychiatric review. Labs and vitals. Coordination with your therapist or psychiatrist.
Preparation visit
One-hour visit to set intention, address fears, and walk through what the experience will feel like.
Dosing session
A 2–3 hour appointment in our calm dosing room with monitoring throughout. You're never alone.
Integration
Same-day debrief plus a follow-up session within 72 hours to translate the experience into change.
Series & review
Most protocols are 4–6 sessions over several weeks, with structured outcomes review at the end.
Conservative medicine,
compassionate setting.
- Every session is supervised by Dr. Napolitano in person
- Vitals monitored throughout the session
- Pre-screening rules out contraindications (uncontrolled hypertension, active psychosis, etc.)
- You don't drive yourself home, bring a trusted person
- Coordinated with your existing mental health team when applicable
- Clear, written protocols for everything
What the evidence says.
Ketamine has the strongest evidence base of any of the so-called "psychedelic" treatments, including rapid-onset effects on depression and suicidality demonstrated across multiple randomized controlled trials. The FDA approved a related compound (esketamine) for treatment-resistant depression in 2019.
The evidence is real, but ketamine is not a cure-all. It works best as part of a broader treatment plan, therapy, lifestyle, and (when appropriate) other medications. Dr. Napolitano will be honest about what to expect.
Selected references will be listed here during content review, e.g. American Journal of Psychiatry, JAMA Psychiatry, and the relevant NIH consensus statements.
Common questions.
Will I be unconscious?
No. At psychotherapeutic doses, you're conscious but in an altered state. You can communicate, but you may feel emotionally and physically distanced from the usual sense of self. Most people describe it as restful and curious.
How long does it last?
The experience itself is about 45–60 minutes. We schedule 2–3 hours total to allow for preparation, the session, and a careful re-entry. You should not plan to do anything else that day.
Is it covered by insurance?
Most insurance does not yet cover ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. The practice accepts cash pay; HSA acceptance is being evaluated. Pricing is transparent and provided up front.
Is it addictive?
At the doses and frequencies used in supervised ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, the risk of dependence is low. Recreational misuse of ketamine carries real risks, supervised therapeutic use does not look like that.
Who isn't a candidate?
Active psychosis, uncontrolled hypertension, pregnancy, certain cardiac conditions, and a few other situations. We screen carefully and will be honest if it isn't the right tool for you.
A 20-minute call is the right first step.
Free consultation. No pressure. We'll tell you honestly whether this is the right treatment for what you're carrying.