Ketamine has been safely used in medical settings for over fifty years and was first FDA-approved as an anesthetic in 1970. For mental health treatment, the doses used are much lower (typically a fraction of what’s given in surgery) and have been shown to be both safe and effective when administered in a controlled environment.

At Illumma, all infusions are overseen by a licensed medical team, and clients are continuously monitored using EKG and pulse oximetry throughout the session to ensure safety and comfort. Ketamine does not significantly suppress breathing and generally has mild effects on blood pressure and heart rate, which makes it one of the safest anesthetic agents available.

While its use for mental health is considered “off-label,” there is extensive research supporting ketamine’s benefits for depression, anxiety, trauma, and chronic pain. Before beginning treatment, every client completes a comprehensive medical intake to make sure KAT is appropriate and safe for them.

For most clients, the recommended number of infusion sessions is 6, with a matching number of integration sessions. Some clients may find they need fewer or more, depending on their individual process and needs. Research indicates that protocols using six or more doses (often over a 4–6‑week period) are associated with better outcomes. [Source]

Ketamine-Assisted Therapy is a significant investment in your healing. A full treatment series (Phases 1–3 outlined above) typically totals around $6,000, though costs are paid per session rather than all at once. For reference, each infusion session is $800, and each therapy session is $110.

Some folks are able to receive partial reimbursement through their out-of-network insurance benefits, and you can also use FSA or HSA funds toward treatment. My goal is to make sure every session feels intentional, supportive, and a step toward lasting change well beyond the treatment itself.

You don’t need a referral to begin the process. Many clients come to Ketamine-Assisted Therapy on their own, looking for new ways to heal when other approaches haven’t helped. Before beginning treatment, you’ll complete an intake so we can ensure ketamine is a safe and appropriate fit for you. Myself and/or Illumma will coordinate with your existing providers when needed.

In my work with KAT at Illumma, we use IV (intravenous) ketamine because it gives you the greatest sense of safety, control, and precision. With IV administration, the medication enters your bloodstream directly and the clinical team can adjust or stop the infusion at any point based on your comfort and response. This real-time control helps you remain grounded, aware, and supported throughout the experience.

IV ketamine is also supported by research showing it offers more predictable dosing, higher bioavailability (meaning more of the medication reaches the brain), and more consistent therapeutic response than many other delivery methods.

Most clients do not need to stop taking their regular medications to do KAT. However, certain medications may affect how your body responds to ketamine. During your medical intake with Illumma’s Nurse Practitioner, they will carefully review your medication list to ensure safety. Any adjustments will be made in collaboration with your prescriber, so you’ll never have to make changes on your own.

My approach blends clinical best practices with creative processes. As both an art therapist, licensed professional counselor, and KAT provider, I help clients access and integrate insights not just through conversation, but through expressive arts. This is, in my opinion, the most powerful and effective way to process experiences that go beyond words. I also bring a trauma-informed lens and a deep respect for pacing and preparation.

I’ve published research on the role of art therapy in psychedelics and use those findings to guide my practice- helping clients move from relief to sustained, embodied change. Each phase of treatment is intentional, supportive, and designed to help you feel grounded throughout your journey.

Feeling nervous is completely normal. Many people come to KAT with some uncertainty about what it will feel like. Unlike in most recreational settings, KAT sessions are medically supervised and therapeutically supported from start to finish. You’ll be continually monitored by Illumma’s nursing staff and accompanied by me throughout your infusion.

We’ll take time beforehand to prepare and set intentions, and I’ll help you identify tools to feel grounded and safe during dosing. Most clients describe the experience as gentle, introspective, and easier to navigate than they expected- often leaving with a sense of calm, curiosity, or emotional release.