What Is
Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine infusions and IV ketamine therapy deliver a customized, fast-acting solution for mental health and chronic pain conditions by stimulating synaptogenesis and repairing neural pathways damaged by chronic stress.
Accepted Insurance & Partners
Understanding Ketamine Infusions
Learn how sub-anesthetic IV Ketamine acts as a rapid catalyst to repair neural pathways and restore mental wellness.
Rapid-Acting Neural Relief
Unlike standard medications that require weeks to accumulate, IV Ketamine acts on glutamate within hours to disrupt negative thought patterns and alleviate severe depressive cycles.
Repairs Synaptic Density
By stimulating Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) release, it prompts synaptogenesis – helping to restore and fertilize damaged connections in the brain's mood-regulation center.
Continuous Medical Supervision
Infusions are administered in low, sub-anesthetic doses within private treatment suites under continuous vital monitoring by board-certified physicians.
Flexible Spravato Coverage
In addition to IV therapy, we are a REMS-certified Spravato (Esketamine nasal spray) clinic. Spravato may be covered, depending on your insurance and plan; not every plan covers it, and prior authorization is required.
Ketamine Infusions for
Depression
Mayo Clinic Press discusses IV ketamine as an off-label treatment for treatment-resistant depression, including potential benefits and risks. Evidence and expected outcomes differ by diagnosis; the depression findings do not establish a chronic-pain success rate. A clinical evaluation is needed to determine whether treatment is appropriate.
Depression
If antidepressants have not worked, a clinical evaluation can review your treatment history and discuss evidence, risks and alternatives, including whether off-label IV ketamine is appropriate.
Learn moreAnxiety
Anxiety symptoms can have several causes. A clinician should review your diagnosis, prior treatment and medical history before discussing whether an off-label treatment is appropriate.
Learn morePTSD
Trauma rewires how the brain processes safety and threat. Ketamine works at that neurological level, helping quiet the automatic responses that keep you stuck in survival mode.
Learn moreOCD
Ketamine can help break the obsessive-compulsive cycle by promoting neuroplasticity and reducing the intensity of intrusive thoughts when combined with therapy.
Learn moreChronic Pain
Ketamine interrupts the central sensitization cycle that keeps pain signals amplified, offering relief for CRPS, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, and migraines.
Learn moreSubstance Abuse
Treatment planning for substance-use concerns requires an individual clinical evaluation and coordination with your recovery team. This information does not establish that ketamine is appropriate for you.
Learn moreBipolar Disorder
Depressive episodes in bipolar disorder can be the hardest to treat without destabilizing mood further. Ketamine offers rapid relief during those episodes, carefully administered alongside your existing care plan.
Learn moreSuicidal Ideation
When suicidal thoughts are present, waiting weeks for a medication to work is not acceptable. Ketamine is one of the only treatments shown to reduce suicidal ideation within hours.
Learn moreHow Ketamine Therapy Works
Glutamate Modulation
Ketamine blocks NMDA receptors on inhibitory neurons, causing a burst of glutamate – the brain's primary excitatory neurotransmitter. This cascade activates AMPA receptors and triggers downstream signaling pathways that promote neural plasticity and growth (PubMed studies).
Setting Treatment Expectations
Discuss why a treatment is being considered, what improvements would be meaningful, and how benefits and adverse effects will be monitored. See Cleveland Clinic for general information about ketamine therapy.
Benefits, Limitations and Individual Response
Mayo Clinic Press reports that some people with treatment-resistant depression experience rapid symptom relief with ketamine. Not everyone responds, and benefits may not last. Treatment requires clinical monitoring and follow-up.
Real Patients, Real Results
See how ketamine infusions and ketamine treatment have helped our patients find relief from treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain.
What to Expect During Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine infusion therapy is a straightforward, medically supervised treatment. Each infusion takes about 40-60 minutes, and you'll be monitored throughout by our clinical team. The treatment course typically involves 6 infusions over 2-3 weeks. Our team will guide you through every step – from your initial consultation and medical screening to your first infusion and beyond. Many patients experience significant relief within hours of their first treatment.
Consultation & Assessment
Your journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation to determine if ketamine therapy is right for you. This includes reviewing your medical history, previous treatments, and current symptoms. Our team will also verify your insurance coverage and explain the treatment process in detail.
Medical Screening
Before treatment begins, you'll undergo a medical screening to ensure ketamine is safe for you. This includes blood pressure monitoring, reviewing current medications, and discussing any medical conditions. Our medical team will explain what to expect and answer any questions.
Treatment Planning
Once approved for treatment, we'll create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. This typically involves 6 infusions over 2-3 weeks. We'll schedule your appointments and provide you with all the information you need to prepare for your first infusion.
Before Your Infusion
On the day of your infusion, you should not eat for 4 hours before your appointment. You can drink clear liquids up to 2 hours before. Wear comfortable clothing and bring someone to drive you home. When you arrive, you'll be seated in a comfortable reclining chair.
During Your Infusion
The IV is placed in your arm, and the ketamine infusion begins. You'll be monitored continuously by our medical team throughout the 40-60 minute infusion. You may feel relaxed, dream-like, or experience mild visual changes. This is normal and part of the therapeutic process.
After Your Infusion
After the infusion, you'll rest for about 30 minutes while we monitor your recovery. You'll need someone to drive you home. Many patients feel improved mood and reduced symptoms within hours of their first infusion. Our team will follow up to track your progress.
Ketamine vs Traditional Treatments
See how ketamine therapy compares to other depression treatments in speed, effectiveness, and side effects.
Ketamine Infusion
Recommended- Rapid relief in hours to days
- 70-80% response rate
- Works on glutamate system
- Promotes synaptogenesis
- Minimal systemic side effects
SSRIs
- 4-6 weeks to feel effects
- 30-40% response rate
- Targets serotonin system
- Daily medication required
- Weight gain, sexual dysfunction
TMS
- 2-4 weeks to feel effects
- 50-60% response rate
- Non-invasive
- Daily sessions for 6 weeks
- Significant time commitment
Who is a Good Candidate for Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine infusion therapy is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression and may help with anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders when other treatments haven't worked.
Good Candidates
- Treatment-resistant depression
- Severe anxiety disorders
- PTSD or trauma-related conditions
- Bipolar depression
- Chronic pain with depression
- Substance use disorders
- Failed 2+ antidepressant trials
Not Suitable
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Active substance abuse
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- History of psychosis
- Severe liver or kidney disease
- Recent heart attack or stroke
- Unstable medical conditions
Request an appointment
Start your journey to relief today.
Most patients are seen within 24 hours of their initial consultation. We accept major insurance including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare, and Tricare. TMS and Spravato may be covered for qualifying conditions, depending on your insurance and plan; not every plan covers them, and both require prior authorization. Insurance does not cover ketamine infusions, but it may cover your office visit. Complete the form or call us directly – our team will verify your benefits and schedule your first appointment.
Our board-certified team specializes in ketamine infusion therapy, TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), and Spravato treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and chronic pain. We serve patients throughout Northern Virginia from our Fairfax clinic, including McLean, Vienna, Reston, Arlington, Falls Church, and the greater DC metro area.
During your consultation, Dr. Arora will review your medical history, current symptoms, and previous treatments to determine if interventional psychiatry is right for you. We believe in personalized care – no two treatment plans are exactly alike because no two patients are exactly alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our treatments, options, and scheduling in Fairfax, VA.
Selected research
Research findings depend on the population, study design and follow-up period. These studies do not measure or predict results at this clinic. IV ketamine use for psychiatric conditions is off-label.
- Zarate et al. (2006). A randomized trial of an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist in treatment-resistant major depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 63(8), 856–864. DOI: 10.1001/archpsyc.63.8.856.
- Murrough et al. (2013). Rapid and longer-term antidepressant effects of repeated ketamine infusions in treatment-resistant major depression. Biological Psychiatry, 74(4), 250–256. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2012.06.022. This was an open-label study.
