Frequently Asked Questions
Ketamine therapy tends to raise practical, clinical, and process-related questions all at once. This page brings together the most common questions patients ask about candidacy, safety, treatment, logistics, pricing, and next steps.
Not every question has the same answer for every patient. Screening, clinical judgment, and treatment planning still matter.
Chronic Pain Conditions We Commonly Treat
Many people come to Vitalitas after years of treatment for chronic pain, with symptoms that have not improved enough or keep breaking through.
We review your pain condition, symptom pattern, treatment history, medications, safety factors, and overall clinical picture before recommending next steps.
-
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a nerve-related pain condition that can become severe, persistent, and difficult to manage with standard treatment. Vitalitas typically evaluates CRPS after patients have tried conservative treatment, such as medication, physical therapy, nerve blocks, or pain management care, and are still living with pain that affects their quality of life. Care is individualized, often beginning with a series of longer infusions, with dose, timing, and follow-up guided by pain response, tolerance, breakthrough symptoms, and clinical judgment.
-
Neuropathic pain is nerve-related pain that can remain disruptive even after medication, physical therapy, injections, or other conservative treatments. Vitalitas approaches neuropathic pain with a similar protocol as CRPS, with individualized care based on the patient’s condition, age, comorbidities, symptom pattern, and ability to tolerate treatment. Care often begins with a series of longer infusions, with follow-up and maintenance guided by pain response, breakthrough symptoms, tolerance, and clinical judgment.
-
Migraine and chronic headache disorders can be disruptive to daily life. Vitalitas evaluates migraine-related pain based on symptom severity, frequency, prior treatment, and overall clinical context. Care is individualized, often beginning with a shorter initial infusion series than some other pain protocols, with follow-up guided by response, symptom recurrence, tolerance, and clinical judgment.
Mental Health Concerns We Commonly Treat
Many people come to Vitalitas with more than one diagnosis or a mix of symptoms that overlap. We evaluate the full clinical picture, including your symptoms, treatment history, medications, current care team, and what kind of support may help next.
-
Treatment-resistant depression refers to cases where the patient has not gotten enough relief after trying at least two different classes of antidepressant medication, or has been unable to tolerate standard medications because of side effects.
Care often begins with a six-infusion series, followed by a review of response before any maintenance plan is recommended. Ongoing treatment decisions are individualized and guided by patient-reported benefit, internal tracking tools, and clinical judgment.
Learn More About Treatment-Resistant Depression Care at Vitalitas
-
We explore IV ketamine for anxiety symptoms that continue to interfere with daily life, when standard treatment has not helped enough or has been difficult to tolerate.
Care typically begins with a structured infusion series in a calm, medically monitored setting, with next steps guided by the patient’s response, symptom pattern, safety, and clinical judgment.
-
PTSD can involve intrusive memories, avoidance, changes in mood or thinking, and intense emotional reactions that continue to disrupt daily life even after therapy, medication, or other support.
Vitalitas evaluates PTSD with attention to the patient’s trauma history, current symptoms, prior treatment, and referring provider’s recommendations. Care is physician-led and medically monitored, with treatment and maintenance planning guided by symptom response, trigger patterns, overall functioning, and clinical judgment.
-
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition involving intrusive, unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals that can become difficult to interrupt.
Vitalitas may consider IV ketamine intervention when OCD symptoms remain disruptive despite conservative treatment, or when the broader clinical picture suggests it may be a reasonable next step.
Getting Started
-
For mental health concerns, the best place to start is usually a clinical consult. For chronic pain concerns, the preferred first step is often a conversation with your pain management physician or referring provider. If you are not sure where to begin, reaching out to the clinic can help clarify the right path.
-
Some people self-refer, while others are referred by a psychiatrist, therapist, primary care clinician, or specialist. For chronic pain, the strong preference is to work with a referring provider whenever possible, ideally someone already involved in your care. If that is not possible, a consult can still help clarify next steps.
-
Vitalitas evaluates a range of mental health and chronic pain concerns, but eligibility is determined through screening and clinical judgment. A consult is the fastest way to get a clearer answer about your situation.
-
That is common. Longstanding pain can affect mood, stress tolerance, sleep, and overall quality of life. You do not need to sort every piece of that out before reaching out. The consult helps clarify what is going on and whether ketamine should be evaluated in the context of pain care, mental health care, or both.
-
Yes. Screening and clinical judgment come first, and not everyone is a candidate. If ketamine is not the right option, the clinic will say so clearly and discuss more appropriate next steps.
Safety And Screening
-
Vitalitas reviews history, current medications, symptoms, risk factors, and the broader clinical picture before making treatment recommendations. The approach is conservative and screening-first.
-
Reasons may include safety concerns that cannot be responsibly managed in an outpatient setting, the need for urgent stabilization, or other clinical factors that make ketamine inappropriate right now.
-
Care is physician-supervised by anesthesiologists experienced in ketamine’s clinical use, with vital sign monitoring and a protocol-driven approach to patient comfort and stability.
-
Risks can include dissociation, sedation, and blood pressure changes. Screening and monitoring are designed to reduce risk and respond responsibly if issues arise.
-
Bring a full medication list to consult. Do not stop or change medications on your own. The clinic reviews safety considerations and interactions in context.
-
Follow clinic guidance on timing. Alcohol can increase risk and interfere with safe care, and patients may be advised to avoid it around treatment visits.
-
No. Vitalitas is not an emergency setting. If you are in immediate danger or need urgent help, use emergency services or crisis resources first.
-
The clinic will explain why and discuss next-step options, which may include coordination with your care team or a different treatment path.
What Treatment Is Like
-
Experiences vary. Some people feel calm, introspective, or emotionally neutral. Some notice sensory changes or a shift in their usual thought patterns. The team monitors safety and supports comfort throughout.
-
Time commitment varies depending on your condition and treatment plan. Specific scheduling expectations are reviewed during the consultation process and again before your visit.
-
Visit length depends on your plan and visit flow. The clinic provides specific guidance ahead of your appointment so you can plan realistically.
-
Yes. You should plan on having someone drive you home after treatment visits.
-
Follow the clinic’s pre-visit instructions. If you have questions about preparation, contact the clinic directly.
-
Aftercare guidance depends on your treatment plan and clinical needs. The team reviews what is appropriate for your situation before and after your visit.
-
That is common. The process is structured, and the team is used to helping patients feel more comfortable. You can ask questions during consult and know what to expect before you arrive.
Treatment Planning And Response
-
Some people notice changes relatively quickly. Others notice more gradual shifts over time. Response varies, and progress is tracked through structured check-ins rather than assumed after one visit.
-
Some people notice changes early, while others notice progress more gradually. The focus is on functional improvement over time and whether treatment is meaningfully changing the picture.
-
That depends on your clinical picture and how you respond. Treatment plans are individualized, and follow-up helps guide whether ongoing care makes sense.
-
No. Response varies. The goal is meaningful improvement in symptoms, pain burden, and day-to-day functioning, not a one-time fix.
-
No. For chronic pain, the goal is meaningful improvement in pain burden and function. For many chronic pain patients, maintenance treatments are often part of the longer-term plan.
-
That is a possibility. Response is followed closely, and the clinic makes a clear decision about whether continuing treatment makes sense.
Pricing And Logistics
-
Vitalitas does not bill insurance directly. Most insurance plans do not cover ketamine therapy at this time.
-
Some patients choose to submit documentation to their insurer for possible reimbursement. Coverage varies by plan.
-
Yes. If you want to pursue reimbursement, the clinic can provide the documentation needed for submission.
-
If payment options are available, the clinic team can explain what is currently offered.
-
Pricing depends on how care is structured for your situation. A consult is the fastest way to get clear, practical pricing information.
More on mental health and chronic pain
MENTAL HEALTH
Vitalitas evaluates a range of mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety-related conditions, PTSD, OCD, and other complex presentations. Candidacy is based on symptoms, treatment history, medications, and safety factors, not on a diagnosis label alone.
CHRONIC PAIN
Vitalitas evaluates a range of chronic pain concerns, with particular relevance for nerve-related pain patterns and complex pain states. For chronic pain, the clinic strongly prefers to work with a referring provider whenever possible so care can be evaluated in the right clinical context.
Related Pages
What To Expect
For a fuller look at scheduling, preparation, visit-day flow, and aftercare.
Safety and screening
For more detail on candidacy, risk review, and physician-led monitoring.
Pricing And Insurance
For practical information about costs, documentation, and reimbursement.
Still Have Questions?
Some questions are best answered in the context of your actual history, symptoms, and care needs. If you are looking for a clearer answer, the consultation process is the best place to start.