top of page

Frequently AskeD QUESTIONS

1

What conditions do you treat with ketamine?

We treat treatment-resistant depression, major depressive disorder, PTSD, generalized anxiety and other anxiety disorders, OCD, substance use disorders, and suicidal ideation in appropriate clinical contexts. Chronic pain is not part of our current scope of care.

2

How does ketamine therapy actually work?

Ketamine works differently from traditional antidepressants. Rather than acting on serotonin, it modulates glutamate — the brain's primary excitatory neurotransmitter — and appears to promote neuroplasticity, the brain's capacity to form new connections. For many patients, this combination shifts mood and reduces symptoms within hours to days rather than the weeks SSRIs typically require, and opens a therapeutic window where lasting change becomes accessible.

3

What does an infusion session feel like?

Most patients describe a gentle, dreamlike, dissociated state — a sense of distance from their usual thoughts and emotions. You remain conscious and able to communicate with your provider. Some people see vivid imagery, others feel a quiet stillness; experiences vary widely from session to session even for the same patient. The effects fade within 15 to 60 minutes after the infusion ends.

4

How many infusions will I need?

The standard induction series is six infusions over three to four weeks. If clinical response indicates, induction can extend to eight or ten infusions. After induction, most patients move into a transition phase that gradually spaces infusions out over several months, eventually reaching a maintenance interval — often monthly, sometimes every four to six weeks. The goal is the fewest infusions needed to maintain your progress.

5

Is ketamine therapy safe?

Ketamine has been used safely in medical settings for over 50 years, and at the doses used for psychiatric treatment it has a strong safety profile when properly screened and monitored. At Refound, every patient receives a full psychiatric evaluation and medical screening before treatment, vital signs are monitored continuously during each infusion, and you're observed post-infusion until effects have substantially worn off. Certain medical and psychiatric conditions are contraindications — we'll determine whether ketamine is safe for you during your initial assessment.

6

Are there side effects?

The most common side effects during an infusion are dissociation, mild perceptual changes, brief elevations in heart rate and blood pressure, nausea, dizziness, and occasionally anxiety in response to the experience itself. These almost always resolve within an hour or two after the infusion ends. Rare but more serious risks include significant cardiovascular changes, psychological distress, and (with chronic high-dose use outside therapeutic protocols) bladder issues. Your provider will walk through the full picture during informed consent.

7

Who is NOT a candidate for ketamine therapy?

Ketamine is generally not appropriate for people with uncontrolled high blood pressure, unstable heart disease or recent heart attack, history of stroke or aneurysm, active psychotic disorder or schizophrenia, current manic episode, severe liver disease, known allergy to ketamine, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Some other conditions — including controlled hypertension, history of substance use disorder, glaucoma, and increased intracranial pressure — require careful evaluation but may not be absolute disqualifiers. We make this determination together at your initial assessment.

8

Do I need a referral?

No referral required. You can contact us directly to schedule an initial psychiatric assessment. We do strongly encourage patients to maintain care with their existing therapists, prescribers, and primary care providers, and to keep them informed about treatment at Refound.

9

What's the difference between IV ketamine, Spravato, and oral ketamine?

IV (intravenous) ketamine — what we provide — allows precise dosing, predictable absorption, and the ability for your provider to adjust mid-session if needed. Spravato (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray covered by some insurance plans, but it uses a different formulation, has a different dosing schedule, and is generally less clinically flexible. Oral or sublingual ketamine has more variable absorption and is sometimes used for at-home maintenance after an IV induction series. Different routes suit different patients; we'll discuss trade-offs during your assessment.

10

Do you take insurance?

Refound Center is a cash-pay practice. We do not bill insurance directly. Upon request we provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement — coverage varies widely, so we recommend calling your insurer in advance. We also accept HSA/FSA, CareCredit, and AdvanceCare financing.

11

How much does it cost?

Initial Psychiatric Assessment $250; Individual Ketamine Infusion $625; 6-Infusion Induction Package $3,350; 8-Infusion Induction Package $4,300; Maintenance Infusion $575. Induction packages must be paid in full before the first infusion and offer a reduced per-session rate. If cost is a barrier, talk to us before scheduling — we'll do what we can.

12

Can I keep working, driving, or taking my regular medications during treatment?

Most patients continue working between infusions. You cannot drive for 24 hours after an infusion, so plan accordingly on treatment days. Most regular medications are compatible with ketamine therapy, but your provider will review every medication and supplement you take during your assessment to identify any that need adjustment or timing changes.

13

Do I need to stop my antidepressant before starting ketamine?

Usually no. Most patients continue their existing antidepressants during ketamine therapy. Certain medications — particularly benzodiazepines and lamotrigine — can blunt ketamine's effect and may need to be timed differently around infusions, but this is decided case-by-case with your provider.

14

Will ketamine therapy interfere with my therapy or psychiatrist?

The opposite — outcomes are best when ketamine therapy is integrated with your existing care. We strongly encourage patients to keep working with their therapists and prescribers throughout treatment, and we'll coordinate closely with them (with your written authorization). The reflective period after an infusion often surfaces material that's especially useful in therapy.

15

What happens if it doesn't work for me?

Not everyone responds to ketamine. We reassess formally after your fourth and sixth infusion. If meaningful improvement isn't happening by the end of induction, we'll discuss whether to extend, modify, or stop treatment. Package sessions you haven't used are refunded in full when treatment ends for clinical reasons.

16

Is ketamine addictive?

At therapeutic doses delivered in a supervised clinical setting, the risk of dependency is low. Ketamine misuse exists in recreational contexts — at much higher doses, taken outside medical supervision, and without the screening and structure we provide. We screen for substance use history during your assessment and have specific protocols for patients with that background.

17

What if I have a difficult experience during an infusion?

Sometimes the medicine surfaces difficult material — grief, fear, old memories. This can be uncomfortable in the moment but is often where meaningful therapeutic work happens. Your provider is with you, and dosing can be adjusted in real time if needed. Integration time and follow-up sessions exist specifically to help you process whatever comes up. You will never have to navigate a difficult session on your own.
bottom of page