Most people searching for ketamine treatment find clinics that offer infusions — an IV line, a recliner, and a ride home afterward. That model works for some people, but it isn’t the only one, and for patients who need more than symptom relief, it may not be enough. At Nomad Therapeutics, we provide ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, a structured treatment model that pairs the neurobiological effects of ketamine with intentional therapeutic work before, during, and after every session.
What Ketamine Actually Does in the Brain
Ketamine works by blocking NMDA receptors — a type of receptor in the brain’s glutamate system, which is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter network (National Institutes of Health). This is a fundamentally different mechanism from the antidepressants most patients have already tried. SSRIs and SNRIs target serotonin and norepinephrine pathways. Ketamine operates on glutamate, which is why it can produce antidepressant effects in patients who haven’t responded to years of conventional treatment.
Beyond blocking NMDA receptors, ketamine promotes neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to form new neural connections and adapt existing ones (National Institutes of Health). This is the window that makes ketamine-assisted psychotherapy possible. For a brief period after each session, the brain becomes more open to change. Patterns of thinking that have felt fixed and immovable become temporarily more flexible. Emotions that have been out of reach become more accessible. That window is the therapeutic opportunity, and what you do with it determines how durable your results will be.
Why a Ketamine Infusion Alone Is Not the Same Thing
A ketamine infusion delivers the medication. That’s it. There’s no structured preparation beforehand to help you approach the experience with intention, and there’s no integration therapy afterward to help you translate what emerged into meaningful changes in your daily life. The neuroplasticity window opens, and then it closes — without any deliberate effort to use it.
Research supports the integration of psychotherapy with ketamine treatment, showing that the combination may produce more durable and meaningful outcomes than ketamine alone (National Institutes of Health). This isn’t a minor distinction. It’s the difference between a temporary shift in brain chemistry and a lasting change in how you think, feel, and function.
How Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Works at Nomad Therapeutics
Our model is built around three phases that repeat across a standard course of six sessions over three weeks.
The preparation phase happens before each medication session. You work with a therapist to set intentions, identify what you want to focus on, and prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for what’s ahead. This shapes the ketamine experience in important ways — patients who approach sessions with clear intentions tend to access more meaningful material than those who arrive without direction.
The medication phase is when one of our registered nurses comes to your home or your therapist’s office and administers ketamine via intramuscular injection. Throughout your session, your nurse monitors your vital signs and remains present to ensure your safety. You don’t need to travel to a clinic or navigate an unfamiliar medical environment. Our at-home ketamine therapy model delivers the full standard of care in the place where you feel most at ease.
The integration phase follows each medication session. You meet with your therapist to process what emerged during the ketamine experience — insights, emotions, shifts in perspective — and identify how to bring those changes into your daily life. Without integration, the experience remains just an experience. With it, the neuroplasticity window becomes a genuine catalyst for change.
Who We Work With
We designed this model for patients in the greater Seattle area who are living with treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, or anxiety — conditions that haven’t responded adequately to prior medications or therapy. If you’ve tried multiple antidepressants, completed therapy programs, and are still struggling, the mechanism of action driving your symptoms may require a different approach than what you’ve already tried.
If you already work with a therapist, we’re designed to work alongside that relationship. If you don’t have a therapist or your current provider isn’t trained in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, our Nomad Network connects you with KAP-specialized therapists in Seattle who can provide preparation and integration support throughout your treatment.
Results vary by individual, and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is not appropriate for everyone. A clinical evaluation with our team is the necessary first step to determine whether this approach is right for your situation. We encourage you to discuss your full treatment history with your provider and explore your options before making any decisions.
FAQ
How is ketamine-assisted psychotherapy different from at-home ketamine programs I’ve seen online?
Many at-home ketamine programs mail oral medication to patients and offer telehealth check-ins. At Nomad Therapeutics, a registered nurse comes to your home and administers ketamine via intramuscular injection while monitoring your vitals throughout the session. This is nurse-administered, in-person care — not self-administered medication.
Do I need to already have a therapist to start?
No. If you don’t have a therapist or your current therapist isn’t trained in KAP, we can connect you with a KAP-specialized provider through our Nomad Network. Having a therapist in place before your first medication session is a requirement of our treatment model, and we’ll help you get there.
How many sessions does a standard course involve?
We typically prescribe six ketamine sessions over three weeks, administered twice per week. This regimen has the most clinical support for treatment-resistant conditions and gives the three-phase prepare-experience-integrate cycle enough repetition to produce meaningful change.
Does insurance cover ketamine-assisted psychotherapy?
We currently do not accept insurance. Payment is made through our electronic health record system, and we accept credit and debit. A Good Faith Estimate is available upon request.
How do I know if I’m a candidate?
The first step is a free consultation with a Nomad Therapeutics representative, followed by a clinical evaluation with one of our clinicians. During that evaluation, we review your medical history, discuss your treatment goals, and determine whether ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is appropriate for your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Ketamine works through the glutamate system, producing antidepressant effects through a mechanism distinct from SSRIs and SNRIs.
- Ketamine promotes a brief window of neuroplasticity — increased brain flexibility — that makes therapeutic change more accessible.
- Ketamine infusions deliver medication only; ketamine-assisted psychotherapy pairs medication sessions with structured preparation and integration therapy for more durable results.
- At Nomad Therapeutics, every session is administered by a registered nurse in your home or therapist’s office, with full vital sign monitoring throughout.
- Our model is designed for patients with treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, or anxiety who have not found adequate relief through conventional treatment.
A free consultation is where this starts. No commitment — just a direct conversation about whether ketamine-assisted psychotherapy might be right for you. Reach out to Nomad Therapeutics today, and a member of our team will walk you through what to expect and answer any questions you have about our model.
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References
- National Institutes of Health. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9207256/
- National Institutes of Health. Ketamine and neuroplasticity. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8190578/
- National Institutes of Health. NMDA receptor and glutamate system. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5148235/
Medical Disclaimer
The information in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy should only be pursued under the supervision of a licensed clinical provider familiar with your full medical and psychiatric history. Results vary by individual. Only a qualified provider can determine whether this treatment is appropriate for your specific situation. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of self-harm, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.