Ketamine Treatment
Ketamine therapy for anxiety, depression and PTSD
Akua Behavioral Health remains committed to being on the cutting edge of evidence-based treatment modalities.
Backed by extensive research and supported by clinical trials, ketamine is a promising new solution for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), anxiety disorder, and PTSD.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a prescription medication that is frequently used as an aesthetic. Ketamine therapy has also been used as a treatment for severe depression, anxiety and PTSD when other treatments have failed to provide relief from symptoms.
Ketamine is thought to target NMDA receptors in the brain, leading to a release of other molecules that cause new connections to form between brain cells that are involved in thought patterns, mood and cognition, leading the individual to feel better. For some, this ketamine application relieves symptoms more quickly and effectively than other treatment strategies.
Our Ketamine Treatment Protocol
Intravenous (IV) infusions provide the best bioavailability, compared to intramuscular Injections or nasal sprays, so much lower doses are used during infusions. We have added a series of six ketamine IV infusions to our mental health outpatient services for interested and clinically appropriate clients.
Through many scientific studies, ketamine has been shown to promote change and healing within the brain itself. Although all patients are unique, and results cannot be guaranteed, over 70-80% of clients with treatment-resistant mood disorders and pain syndromes can expect significant relief with ketamine infusions.
Supported by Leading Physicians
Dr. Chris Romig is at the forefront of all research and literature pertaining to the use of psychedelics in the treatment of debilitating mental health conditions. He has developed innovative and novel protocols to maximize the beneficial effects of ketamine and utilize Stellate Ganglion Blocks, when clinically indicated to enhance treatment response.
We utilize our IOP group and individual sessions to take advantage of the neuroplasticity that occurs with Ketamine treatment to really assist clients in achieving symptom management. Often IOP treatment time can be drastically shortened with this approach.
Who qualifies for Ketamine?
Our Master’s and Doctorate level clinicians will do a comprehensive intake to assess the client’s mental health appropriateness for this therapeutic track. They will have a week of group and individual sessions to further assess while also preparing the individual by providing therapeutic tools needed to maximize function,
A medical screening will be performed to ensure that the client is medically able to receive ketamine therapy. There are certain medications that may interfere with the efficacy of ketamine infusions. Those medications, if appropriate and under a physician’s guidance, will be stopped and restarted once the infusions series are complete.
Some medical conditions will exclude clients from ketamine therapy, including but not limited to: pregnancy; active psychosis; uncontrolled blood pressure, end-stage renal disease; unstable heart disease; current drug abuse; intra-cranial mass; untreated thyroid disease; current manic phase of bipolar and acute psychotic hallucinations/delusions.
The medical screening consists of client-provided information about their current and past medical and psychiatric history that will be reviewed and discussed by our physician and clinical team. Our medical team will work with a client’s existing health providers as closely as necessary for their health benefit.
When Can I Start Ketamine Treatment?
We are accepting clients for this specialized track in our Long Beach and Newport Beach locations. New clients will go through the regular Pre-Admission Assessment process and meet with their therapist for further screening and if clinically appropriate they will be scheduled to begin the three-week infusion schedule on their days off from IOP sessions. Infusion therapy lasts about 40 minutes, and the client will need to have transportation home and may feel a bit sleepy for about an hour post–infusion.