Principium Psychiatry is a mental health clinic specializing in diagnosing and treating a wide range of mood and anxiety disorders, including treatment-resistant depression. We believe that our patients deserve access to the best care possible. If you feel like you’ve tried everything, and nothing seems to address your depression symptoms, then you may be a good candidate for Ketamine infusion therapy.
The use of Ketamine is an effective, rapid treatment option for major depressive disorder. You may notice improvement after just one session. However, most patients require several treatments for a more robust response. Let’s walk through the ketamine infusion process so you know exactly what to expect.
At Principium Psychiatry, we’re committed to excellent care coupled with safe, effective treatment options. We are proud to offer Ketamine therapy as one of our many treatment options available at our convenient midtown New York City or Wall Street locations. Each session takes place in a private room under the direct supervision of our treatment providers. From the moment you walk through the door, our team strives to make your feel welcome, comfortable and heard.
From beginning to end, here’s what the Ketamine treatment process is like.
For your initial visit, we schedule a comprehensive evaluation with one of our experienced clinicians. While we review your overall health, our goal is to focus on mood and anxiety disorders.
During your comprehensive mental health screening, our clinicians will review your history and any past treatments you may have received. This process gives us a full picture of your overall mental health so we can provide you with a comprehensive treatment plan. Our goal is to find the best way to address your unique symptoms. We offer a wide range of treatment options, including:
Our thorough pre-treatment process is designed to determine if you are a good candidate for Ketamine treatment. For our patients’ safety, we may also conduct a urine test to rule out illicit drug misuse. Once we are sure that Ketamine infusion therapy is right for you, we will schedule your first infusion or SPRAVATO™ (esketamine) treatment.
Your Ketamine infusion therapy will be carried out by a member of our highly experienced infusion team. You can choose to have your sessions done at either our Midtown or Wall Street locations. We encourage you to invite a family member or friend to accompany you, as you will need a pre-arranged ride home once treatment is complete. Driving is not permitted within the first several hours following your session.
First, we invite you to rest in a comfortable chair while we place a small IV in your arm. We then infuse your Ketamine treatment over the course of about an hour. During that time, you can listen to music, watch TV or close your eyes and relax. For those uncomfortable with needles, our team can also manage your SPRAVATO™ nasal spray treatments.
Most patients find the Ketamine infusion process to be relaxing, and many experience a mild euphoria. However, your safety is our utmost priority. Your infusion will be administered in a manner that minimizes the risk of any dissociative symptoms. Once your Ketamine infusion is complete, you will spend a little bit of time in our recovery area where our medical staff can assess you before you are cleared to go home.
Your initial Ketamine treatment course will usually consist of six to 10 infusions. However, the exact number depends on your individual symptoms and history. Infusion sessions are arranged two to three times per week during the initial treatment course.
Ketamine therapy is a highly individualized process, and our team works hard to ensure this treatment option is as effective as possible to address your symptoms. After the completion of your initial Ketamine treatment course, your Principium Psychiatry clinician may recommend maintenance Ketamine.
We are more than happy to be a resource to our patients for tips on recovery and maintaining a healthy life. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about Ketamine treatment and maintenance.
In the days during and following your initial Ketamine treatment course, you should feel improvements in your mood and symptoms. However, ongoing support may be necessary to ensure that the benefits of Ketamine therapy are long-lasting and meaningful. Maintenance ketamine refers to a patient receiving regular infusions to maintain wellness and prevent relapse of depression. Your Ketamine maintenance schedule will likely include one infusion per month.
If your clinician recommends Ketamine maintenance, this treatment will include regular re-evaluations to determine if ongoing maintenance infusions are required. If you’ve been feeling well and there is no need for ongoing maintenance infusions, we will stop treatment.
Yes, many of our patients receiving Ketamine treatment have a primary psychiatrist who continues to work with them. The team at Principium can collaborate with your psychiatrist to ensure a smooth continuum of care.
Yes. Most patients who receive Ketamine therapy are also supported through other psychopharmacology treatments. Our expert psychopharmacologists can assist you in finding the best regimen to work together with your Ketamine infusions.
If you are not comfortable with IV infusions, we also offer SPRAVATO™ (esketamine) intranasal Ketamine therapy, which consists of a nasal spray. This therapy is an alternative to IV Ketamine treatments.
Getting treatment is the best way to move forward from depression and find relief from its debilitating symptoms. If you have tried other depression therapies without success, Ketamine treatment may be the solution you need. If you would like to learn more about this cutting-edge psychiatric treatment, please give us a call at 212-335-0236. You can also check our availability online and book your appointment with one of the treatment providers at Principium Psychiatry.
Jean
The suite in which I received the treatment was comfortable and welcoming. I was able to relax during the treatments and each time I left, I felt more at peace.
Verified Patient
Mathew
I am so thankful to Dr. Cohen and his team! Thanks to them and the Ketamine treatment, I’m feeling better than I have in years. I was pleasantly surprised that there were no side effects.
Verified Patient
Dr. Cohen and his team are so fantastic! They did everything they could to make me feel comfortable, and I started feeling better after the first dose of Ketamine!
Verified Patient
*Patient names have been changed in order to preserve privacy.
