--- title: "Ketamine Therapy in Austin, TX | KT | CARMAhealth" description: "Physician-led ketamine therapy for depression, PTSD, and chronic pain in Austin, TX. Rapid relief in as few as 6 sessions. Book today." canonical: https://carmahealth.com/services/ketamine-therapy source: https://carmahealth.com/services/ketamine-therapy mirror_of: carmahealth.com content_hash: sha256:d3b45eac1747aeb62b74ba36a1c38ad0f71f827839ab6039155c26e3b18d4722 generated_at: 2026-07-08T23:20:17.555Z robots: noindex, follow --- Ketamine Therapy # Rapid Relief When Other Treatments Haven't Worked Esketamine (Spravato) therapy for difficult-to-treat depression. Office-based, physician-led ketamine therapy for depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders. [Book a KT Consultation](/new-patients) [Learn About Spravato](/services/spravato) (image: Man stretching outdoors on a garden path surrounded by wildflowers in morning light) Understanding KT ## Supported Ketamine Therapy Ketamine therapy (KT) combines the rapid-acting effects of ketamine with in-office support. We provide KT with a physician on-site to ensure the highest level of medical support and safety. When indicated, we collaborate with therapists to facilitate preparation, in-office support, and post-session integration. At CARMAhealth, ketamine is administered primarily through intramuscular (IM) injection, with intravenous (IV) infusion available on a case-by-case basis. You sit in a comfortable recliner in a softly lit room with optional music and eye shades while a trained medical practitioner ensures close support and safety. Your heart rate, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure are monitored before and after each session. Hours, Not Weeks Patients often feel improvement rapidly ~70% Response rate for treatment-resistant depression 6 Sessions Typical treatment course for depression Physician-Led A physician is on-site for every session The Evidence ## Supported by Growing Clinical Research Ketamine works differently from traditional antidepressants. Rather than targeting serotonin or norepinephrine, ketamine acts on NMDA receptors to promote rapid synaptic neuroplasticity, helping the brain form new neural connections. This mechanism may explain why patients often notice improvement within hours rather than the weeks required by conventional medications. A [systematic review published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9207256/) found that combining ketamine with psychotherapy can initiate and prolong clinically significant reductions in pain, anxiety, and depressive symptoms while encouraging treatment engagement. For PTSD specifically, [research published in Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9989422/) shows that repeated ketamine administration significantly improved symptoms compared to active placebo. [Harvard Health emphasizes](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/ketamine-for-treatment-resistant-depression-when-and-where-is-it-safe-202208092797) that ketamine therapy should always be administered under the supervision of a qualified medical professional. At CARMAhealth, every KT treatment plan is designed by a board-certified physician. Your physician coordinates KT with other treatments when appropriate, including [medication management](/services/medication-management), [TMS therapy](/services/tms-therapy), or [Spravato](/services/spravato). Your KT Journey ## What to Expect from Start to Finish 1 ### Start with a Psychiatric Evaluation Your journey begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. Your psychiatrist reviews your symptoms, treatment history, and goals to determine whether KT is the right approach for your condition. 2 ### Prepare for Treatment Before your first session, your care team helps you set intentions and understand what to expect. When therapist support is part of your plan, you meet with a trained KT therapist beforehand to prepare for the experience. 3 ### Experience Your Ketamine Sessions During each session, you recline comfortably while ketamine is administered via intramuscular injection. A physician is on-site and a trained medical practitioner provides close support, monitoring your vital signs before and after treatment. When indicated, your KT therapist offers additional guidance. 4 ### Integrate and Build Forward After each session, integration work helps you process insights and apply them to your daily life, with therapist support when part of your plan. Your physician monitors your progress and adjusts your treatment plan as needed. Insurance & Coverage ## Most Major Plans Accepted We accept 15+ insurance plans and offer self-pay options for services not covered by insurance. +6 more [Verify Your Coverage](/insurance) [Call (512) 212-4670](tel:5122124670) Aetna · BCBS · Cigna · United Healthcare · Humana · and 6 more Common Questions ## Frequently Asked Questions About Ketamine Therapy Yes. Ketamine has been FDA-approved as an anesthetic since 1970 and is widely used off-label for psychiatric conditions under medical supervision. A specific form called esketamine (brand name [Spravato](/services/spravato)) received FDA approval in 2019 for treatment-resistant depression. At CARMAhealth, all ketamine treatments are prescribed and supervised by board-certified physicians. The cost of ketamine therapy varies based on the number of sessions and your treatment plan. A typical course for depression includes six sessions. Insurance plans do not currently cover IV, IM, or oral ketamine for psychiatric conditions. CARMAhealth also offers [Spravato](/services/spravato) (esketamine nasal spray), which is FDA-approved and may be covered by many insurance plans. Contact our team at [(512) 212-4670](tel:+15122124670) or [ketamine@carmahealth.com](mailto:ketamine@carmahealth.com) to discuss your options. KT is typically recommended for patients with [treatment-resistant depression](/conditions/treatment-resistant-depression), [PTSD](/conditions/ptsd), chronic pain conditions, or acute suicidal ideation who have not responded adequately to other treatments. Your psychiatrist will evaluate your medical history, current medications, and treatment goals during a [psychiatric evaluation](/services/psychiatric-evaluation) to determine if KT is appropriate for you. During a session, most patients experience a temporary altered state of awareness that may include feelings of relaxation, heightened perception, or a sense of detachment. You remain conscious throughout. The experience typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes, and you rest comfortably in a recliner with optional music and eye shades. A trained medical practitioner stays with you during the entire session, with a physician on-site. At many clinics, ketamine is administered without medical oversight. At CARMAhealth, a physician is on-site for every session, and when indicated we add therapist support for preparation, in-session guidance, and integration. Your treatment is directed by a board-certified psychiatrist rather than an emergency medicine physician or anesthesiologist, ensuring your KT fits within a comprehensive psychiatric treatment plan. Our Practitioners ## Physician-Directed Care, Every Step Unlike many ketamine clinics, CARMAhealth's KT program is led by board-certified physicians who design your treatment plan, monitor your progress, and coordinate with other therapies as needed. [Meet Our Practitioners](/providers) [Schedule an Appointment](/new-patients) (image: Carlos Tirado, MD, MPH) Carlos Tirado MD, MPH (image: Isela Werchan, MD) Isela Werchan MD (image: Jennifer Schaefer, MD) Jennifer Schaefer MD (image: Casey Coton, DO) Casey Coton DO (image: Steven Powell, MD) (image: David Walsh) (image: Lorie Kmetz) (image: Sally Reese) (image: Alex Dodson) (image: Audrey Amburgey, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC) (image: Samantha Hurlbut) (image: Dr. Robert Ulrich) (image: Dr. Jeff McCreight) (image: Kim Sterling) +12 and the rest of our care team Take the First Step ## Start Feeling Like Yourself Again Whether you're exploring treatment for the first time or looking for a new practitioner, our psychiatrists are here to listen. [Book an Appointment](/new-patients) [Call (512) 212-4670](tel:5122124670) Accepting new patients · 15+ insurance plans accepted · Telehealth available