Ketamine therapy at Rivendell Health is for adults whose depression, PTSD or related symptoms haven't eased after the usual medications. You're evaluated by one of our psychiatric providers, treated in our office on Kelly Johnson Blvd, and followed up by the same team that manages the rest of your care.
Book a confidential ketamine consultation. Call (719) 726-6573 or send the form and we'll call you back.
Ketamine's FDA approval is as an anesthetic. For psychiatric conditions it's given at much lower doses and used off-label. It acts on the brain's glutamate system rather than serotonin, which is part of why it can help people who got little from standard antidepressants.
We evaluate patients for ketamine therapy for:
Treatment-resistant depression has the most research behind it. For the other conditions the evidence is still growing, and your provider will tell you where it stands for your diagnosis.
We offer both, and they are different treatments.
| Ketamine therapy | Spravato® (esketamine) | |
|---|---|---|
| FDA status for depression | Off-label | Approved for treatment-resistant depression and for major depression with suicidal thoughts |
| How it's given | By injection, given by a nurse or medical assistant in our office under provider supervision | Nasal spray you take yourself under supervision, at our REMS-certified office |
| Monitoring | Two hours after each dose | At least two hours after each dose |
| Insurance | Self-pay only. Not covered by insurance | Often covered with prior authorization, depending on your plan |
For many people, diagnosis and insurance make the choice. If you meet the criteria for Spravato and your plan covers it, it's often the place to start. If Spravato isn't covered, isn't a fit, or hasn't worked, ketamine therapy is the next conversation. Our Spravato page has the full Spravato schedule.
You're likely to be a good fit if:
We'll take a closer look, and may recommend something else, if you have:
Ketamine therapy is an outpatient treatment, not crisis care. If you're in crisis right now, call or text 988, or call 911.
The evaluation. A psychiatric provider reviews your diagnosis, the medications you've tried and at what doses, and your blood pressure and medical history. You won't leave with a session schedule that day, because the next step depends on which treatment you're cleared for. If you're cleared for ketamine, you can book it as a self-pay treatment. Spravato can't be scheduled until your insurance approves it and you're enrolled in the Spravato REMS program, and approval can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
Before you come in. Arrange a ride. You can't drive on the day of a session.
The session. A nurse or medical assistant gives the ketamine as an injection, under your provider's supervision, and your blood pressure is checked throughout. You're monitored in our care suite for two hours after each dose, the same as with Spravato, and you leave once you're cleared.
The series. A typical first course is six sessions over about five weeks: two in the first week, then one a week for the next four. Many people notice a change within the first few sessions, such as better sleep or less hopelessness. After the sixth, your provider looks at how much your symptoms have eased and recommends a maintenance schedule if you need one.
Between sessions. Your provider adjusts your other medications as needed. If you're also seen by our internal medicine team, they're kept in the loop.
Insurance doesn't cover ketamine therapy. It isn't FDA-approved to treat depression, so no plan will pay for it, and every session is paid out of pocket. You can use HSA funds.
Our front office handles pricing, so call them for the cost per session.
Spravato is different. Many plans cover it once prior authorization is approved, though what that looks like depends on your plan. Our team handles the paperwork with your insurer.
Questions about cost or Spravato coverage? Call our front office at (719) 726-6573.
Much of our community serves or has served at Fort Carson, Peterson and Schriever Space Force Bases, or the Air Force Academy. PTSD and depression that haven't responded to medication are common reasons people from these communities ask about ketamine. Tricare often covers Spravato once it's authorized, though every plan and situation is different. Ketamine therapy is self-pay for Tricare members, as it is for everyone.
Rivendell Health is physician-owned. Evaluation and follow-up are handled by our psychiatric providers:
Dr. Michael Fry, DO leads our internal medicine care. That matters for ketamine because blood pressure and heart health are part of deciding whether it's safe for you.
No. Ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic and used off-label for depression. Spravato (esketamine), a related medication, is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression.
No. Ketamine isn't FDA-approved to treat depression, so no insurance plan covers it, and it's always self-pay. You can use HSA funds. Spravato, a related medication, is often covered with prior authorization.
No. You'll need someone to drive you home on every treatment day.
A first course is typically six sessions over about five weeks: two in the first week, then one a week for four weeks. After that, your provider reviews your progress and recommends maintenance if you need it.
Ketamine raises blood pressure temporarily. If yours is well controlled, it may not rule you out. We check it at your evaluation and monitor it at every session.
We're not a crisis facility. Call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 911 for an emergency.
Phone: (719) 726-6573
Fax: (719) 698-7879
Email: support@RivendellHealth.com
Location: 1465 Kelly Johnson Blvd. Ste 310
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Hours: