Ketamine Therapy Santa Monica

“I cannot sing the praises of this clinic enough! From the moment my sister called during her search for the best ketamine clinic for me, she was met with great warmth and care from the Patient Care Coordinators. My sister had called many places and none were anywhere near as welcoming as Bespoke. After my initial evaluation to suss out if I qualified for treatment, me and my sister knew Bespoke was the place for me. I did 8 full ketamine infusions, and I’m very glad I did, as 6 wouldn’t have been enough at all for me. My treatment went perfectly. Quite the lofty word, I know, but that’s very much how I feel about it. That I ended up at the perfect clinic with the perfect treatment provider. We talked quite a bit during sessions as he is such a deep and compassionate listener, and everything he would pose back to me was very much to empower me in my journey.” – V. J.

“I am so grateful for my experience with Bespoke ketamine assisted therapy. The therapists and program have truly transformed my life and have helped me become the best version of myself. Before starting the program, I was struggling with anxiety and depression that seemed to take over every aspect of my life. I had tried traditional therapy and medication, but nothing seemed to give me the relief I needed. That’s when I discovered Bespoke’s ketamine assisted therapy. Over time, I began to notice a significant improvement in my mental health. I felt more in control of my thoughts and emotions. I gained a newfound sense of clarity and purpose, and I started to make positive changes in my life that I never thought were possible. The therapy team never fails to check in with me regularly and offer guidance and encouragement whenever I need it. I am truly grateful for their expertise and compassion. If you are struggling with mental health/anxiety issues, I highly recommend Bespoke ketamine assisted therapy. It has made all the difference in my life, and I am confident that it can help you too.” – P.

“I had a very positive experience and the ketamine treatments helped me alleviate the negative rumination related to my depression. My anxiety is also lower and I am now able to maintain a daily meditation practice which has helped me integrate the ketamine work.” – N. T.

Progressive mental health treatments in Santa Monica

Bespoke Treatment in Santa Monica/West Los Angeles offers three main types of ketamine therapy: ketamine infusions, Spravato esketamine nasal spray, and ketamine assisted psychotherapy. Each form of ketamine has a different therapeutic profile which must be carefully considered before deciding. Don’t fret; our Santa Monica psychiatrists are highly skilled at helping to determine which option is best for you. Unlike most facilitiles who only offer one form of ketamine, we believe that patients are entitled to multiple ketamine treatment options.

Ketamine Infusion Therapy

We offer ketamine infusions in our Santa Monica office. Throughout the entire treatment, our team will assist in preparing, guiding, and integrating your journey. Infusion doses are customized for each patient based on body weight and medical history, and change session-to- session. Unlike SSRIs, which must build up over time to take effect, ketamine quickly alters the neurotransmitter activity in your brain. Ketamine infusions can lead to deeper, more psychedelic experiences compared to other forms of ketamine. Patients are invited to bring their therapist to sessions if they are located in West Los Angeles or Santa Monica.

Spravato (esketamine) Nasal Spray

Spravato is an esketamine nasal spray that helps people find relief from treatment- resistant depression and suicidal ideation. Generic ketamine consists of two mirror- images (esketamine and arketamine, respectively). Spravato is solely the “esketamine” image in nasal spray form. Clinical trials indicate that patients who use Spravato show a reduction in depression symptoms even within the first 24 hours. Just like generic ketamine, Spravato acts on your glutamate receptors. Unlike ketamine infusions, Spravato is fully covered by many health insurance companies with an average copay of $20 per session.

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

In our comprehensive program, we provide ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) for eligible patients. KAP integrates ketamine with psychotherapy conducted by a trained clinician. Unlike conventional ketamine infusions, we utilize a carefully measured ketamine dosage for KAP sessions. This unique approach combines the benefits of ketamine to enhance neuroplasticity and promote openness during therapy, while the therapy itself reinforces positive behaviors and reduces negative self-talk. Many of our patients have found their KAP session to be equivalent to “50 therapy sessions in one.”

How Ketamine Therapy Can Help

Treatment with ketamine is unlike any antidepressant available today. For many people, ketamine therapy offers more than just symptom reduction or numbing of emotional highs and lows. Ketamine therapy provides more than an improvement on a mood rating scale. For many, ketamine can act as a groundbreaking catalyst that allows patients to address deep emotional burdens and traumas. In a closely monitored psychiatric setting, ketamine therapy can be a transformative experience that facilitates personal and psychological growth. Clinical trials have shown that 60% of participants undergoing psychedelic therapy report it as one of the top 5 most meaningful experiences of their lives.

The Ketamine Experience

No matter which path you decide to take, the initial process will always remain the same: an initial psychiatric evaluation with a member of your Bespoke Treatment Care Team. Our provider will discuss all of the above evidence-based approaches with you and begin to create your personalized treatment plan. Should ketamine be right for you, your doses will be individualized to your body weight and medical history to ensure the best results.

The experience can vary depending on which form of ketamine therapy you’ve been prescribed. For those opting for ketamine assisted psychotherapy, the ketamine will feel mildly dissociating and perhaps mildly euphoric. In this case, it acts as a true enhancement for therapeutic processing. Ketamine infusions can be more impactful: some patients report feelings of floating, dreamlike experiences and some hallucinations when they close their eyes. This can sometimes be accompanied by intense euphoria, feelings of unity, and a newfound feeling of calm.

Common ketamine therapy side effects include nausea, dizziness, increased blood pressure, and headaches. Patients should not work, study, or drive on the day after their ketamine treatment. The success rate of ketamine ranges between 60-85% depending on the route of administration, type of ketamine treatment, and surrounding environment.

Ketamine for Depression

Ketamine has been chiefly studied for patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression, meaning they have tried at least two antidepressant medications that failed to provide substantial relief. While ketamine infusions have been the most common route of administration historically, Spravato is the only FDA-approved form of ketamine approved for Major Depressive Disorder and Suicidal Ideation.

Ketamine for PTSD

Many studies have found that ketamine is a highly effective option for individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as C-PTSD. A deep ketamine experience can sometimes bring up past trauma, so we recommend that you involve your therapist if you suffer from PTSD and are considering ketamine treatments.

Ketamine for Anxiety

Although most researchers focus more on depression than on anxiety, the anxiety-reducing effects of ketamine should not be underestimated. Apart from psychotherapy, it is one of the safest alternative treatments for anxiety available today. Many patients with depression have noted that the decrease in anxiety was even more impactful than the decrease in depression.

Are you a good candidate for Ketamine Therapy?

Before beginning treatment, patients may want to weigh the pros and cons of TMS therapy. The best parts about TMS are that it is safe, medication-free, has a high success rate, and produces results that last long after the treatment is over. Additionally, TMS can be covered up to 100% by most major insurers. The negative aspects of TMS are that it can cause mild headaches in some people and that patients must come into the office every day for 4 to 6 weeks, Monday through Friday.

Are you a good candidate for TMS Therapy?

Our psychiatrists in Santa Monica provide initial evaluations to assess if ketamine therapy is suitable for you. Whether you seek non-medication depression treatments or have had limited success with medications and are considering scientifically proven therapies for treatment- resistant depression, ketamine therapy may be an option. However, there are situations in which ketamine therapy may not be appropriate, including if you:

Have a history of uncontrolled high blood pressure
Have a history of stroke
Have unresolved cardiovascular issues
Are epileptic
Are pregnant or breast-feeding

If ketamine isn’t the right medication you, Bespoke Treatment also offers TMS therapy in Santa Monica and Los Angeles.

Meet Your Santa Monica Psychiatry Care Team

Nima Fahimian, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Jacob Moussai, MD
Psychiatrist
Gavin Dawson
Psychiatric Physician Assistant
Amina Hertzog
TMS Technician

Ketamine Therapy in Santa Monica, CA

Bespoke Treatment’s Santa Monica clinic offers alternative mental health treatments to residents throughout the Santa Monica and West Los Angeles area. Our psychiatric team provides ketamine therapy, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, psychiatry, and Prism neurofeedback for PTSD. These treatments are designed to help with anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, and more.

Santa Monica, California, is a picturesque beach town located in Los Angeles County, nestled along the Pacific Ocean just west of downtown Los Angeles. It is renowned for its stunning coastal views and vibrant atmosphere, bordered by Venice Beach, West Los Angeles, Westwood, Brentwood, and Pacific Palisades. As a hotspot for tourism and celebrity retreats, Santa Monica’s coastal charm attracts visitors from around the world.

City of Los Angeles Resource Center
Santa Monica Department of Public Health
Welcome to Santa Monica

The city boasts a population of approximately 90,400 as of 2019. One of its notable features is the iconic Santa Monica Freeway, I-10, which begins at the Pacific Ocean and stretches all the way to Jacksonville, FL, making it one of the busiest freeways in North America.

Santa Monica is home to numerous popular attractions, including the famous Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park, and Palisades Park. The city is celebrated for its unique local cuisine, strong sense of community, and cultural vibrancy. Visitors and residents alike can enjoy the Annenberg Community Beach House, the Cove Skate Park, and various historic landmarks that showcase the town’s rich heritage. Santa Monica fosters a thriving arts scene, creativity, and wellness, with frequent community-building events that highlight diversity and inclusivity by featuring local artists and business owners.

Environmental sustainability is a core value in Santa Monica, with the city aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050. It also hosts local farmer’s markets and community gardens, promoting a green and eco-friendly lifestyle. This open-minded outlook extends to mental health as well.

Santa Monica’s progressive and prosperous nature positions it as a leader in modern medicine, making it an ideal home for Bespoke Treatment. The city’s Latin motto, “populus felix in urbe felice,” translates to “happy people in a happy city,” reflecting its commitment to the well-being of its residents.

The city is also home to two higher education institutions: Santa Monica College, a community college, and the Frederick S. Pardee RAND Graduate School.

Santa Monica’s local mental health department is the largest in the United States, providing over 80 direct services to residents and collaborating with more than 700 unique providers. This includes the “We Rise” community project with Santa Monica Human Services, which aims to unite residents through educational events that promote mental health empowerment and destigmatization of mental health challenges.

Welcome to Santa Monica, where the community thrives on creativity, wellness, and an unwavering commitment to a brighter future.