Ketamine & Spravato Treatment for Depression, Anxiety, Trauma & PTSD:
A Breakthrough in Mental Health Treatment

At Catalyst Integration for Health, we understand that finding the right mental health treatment isn’t always easy—especially if you’ve already tried therapy or medications without getting the relief you hoped for. That’s why we offer cutting-edge ketamine treatment in Sacramento for adults struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, and PTSD.

But ketamine therapy is more than just a trending topic—it’s backed by decades of research and trusted by top medical centers like Yale, Stanford, and Johns Hopkins. It’s changing lives, and here’s how.

Originally developed over 50 years ago as a safe and effective anesthetic, ketamine has been reimagined as one of the most promising tools in modern mental health care. Unlike traditional antidepressants, which can take weeks to work (and don’t always help), ketamine acts quickly—sometimes within hours.

At smaller, carefully controlled doses, ketamine works by increasing the brain’s natural growth factors—BDNF and GDNF—which help repair damaged neural connections. These connections often break down under the weight of chronic stress, trauma, and mental illness. When the brain heals, symptoms improve. It’s that simple—and that powerful.

What Ketamine Treatment Looks Like at Catalyst

Our Sacramento-based clinic is designed with your comfort and privacy in mind. You’ll have your own peaceful treatment room, complete with a reclining chair and soft lighting. We never treat more than one patient per room—because we believe healing deserves your own space.

You’ll receive either a small injection (IM ketamine) or, in some cases, a nasal spray (Spravato/esketamine). Both are highly effective and administered by licensed medical professionals who monitor you throughout the experience. Most people describe the sensation as “a little unusual—but not in a bad way.” You can relax, listen to music, or simply rest while the medicine takes effect.

Sessions typically last about an hour, with a short recovery period afterward. Some patients begin to notice changes after just one treatment. Most complete a series of six sessions over two to three weeks. Booster sessions are available as needed—and we’ll work with you to create a plan that fits your life.

Safe. Medically Supervised. Supported.

We’re a REMS-certified clinic, which means we meet the highest standards of safety and oversight for ketamine and Spravato administration. You’ll always be cared for by a licensed provider in a private room, with optional support from a friend, family member, or therapist. We also work directly with your current therapist if you have one—and if not, we’re happy to refer you to someone we trust.

We do not offer oral ketamine or take-home kits, because research shows those options are less effective and can pose safety risks. Our mission is to offer the most reliable, evidence-based care—no shortcuts.

Insurance-Friendly and Patient-Centered

We know the cost of treatment matters. That’s why we bill PPO insurance plans directly and go the extra mile to secure single-case agreements for patients with HMO plans. In most cases, we can get Spravato covered—even when other clinics can’t. And when you call us, you’ll speak with a real person. Our team is warm, responsive, and deeply committed to making sure you feel supported every step of the way.

Ready to take the next step?

Whether you’re seeking relief from depression, anxiety, trauma, or PTSD, our ketamine treatment in Sacramento might be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for. Click the "Start Now" button below or call us at 916.850.2299 and get ready to start feeling better.

Start Now

How Did Ketamine Became a Breakthrough Treatment for Mental Health?

We’re glad you asked—because we wanted to know, too. Before founding Catalyst Integration for Health, Eric Tepper, MD, conducted a deep dive into the clinical research behind ketamine therapy. Originally approved by the FDA in the 1970s as a safe and effective anesthetic, ketamine has since emerged as one of the most promising treatments for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and trauma.

Over the past two decades, researchers discovered that low-dose ketamine can rapidly relieve symptoms of treatment-resistant depression—often within hours. In fact, Yale School of Medicine called it “the biggest breakthrough in depression research in half a century.” Since then, leading institutions like Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, Emory, Dartmouth, and UCSF have incorporated ketamine into their mental health treatment programs. Ongoing research continues at top-tier centers like Stanford, the Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic, and Duke University.

At Catalyst, we stay on the cutting edge of this science to bring safe, research-backed ketamine and esketamine (Spravato) treatment to our Sacramento community.

Ketamine Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q: What is ketamine?

A: Ketamine was originally developed as an anesthetic over 50 years ago (and is still commonly used for that purpose today). When research showed that subanesthetic (smaller) doses are extremely effective in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, and trauma, it was developed for use as a mental health medication.

Q: I hear there are "different forms" of ketamine. Can you explain?

A: Generally speaking, there are three forms of ketamine used for mental health treatment: 1) ketamine given in a simple shot (called IM ketamine); 2) a specific form of ketamine called eskatamine (brand name Spravato) that is administered via a nose spray, and 3) oral ketamine given via a lozenge or "troche." A shot of ketamine is the most effective and oral ketamine is the least effective.

Q: Is ketamine similar to traditional mental health medications?

A: Ketamine works in a completely different way, so it is ideal for people who failed to get full symptom relief from other medications (or who had significant side effects from them). Cleveland Clinic calls ketamine a “top ten medical innovation" for treatment-resistant depression and Johns Hopkins says it is the first (truly) new medication we have had in 60 years. Unlike other medications, it works quickly—many people feel significantly better after one treatment.

Q: How does ketamine work?

A: In plain English, ketamine sparks new brain growth and helps balance naturally-occurring components in your brain, thus easing depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. Research shows that ketamine sparks neural growth in the brain within hours of taking it, which starts a repair process in the brain. As those neurons regrow, the brain gets healthier and mental health symptoms improve. (Technically speaking, what ketamine does is block glutamate at the NMDA receptor, thus increasing your levels of BDNF and GDNF, resulting in better brain health.)

Q: Is ketamine safe?

A: The use of ketamine as an anesthetic has provided over 50 years of data showing it is safe. Ketamine is still commonly used as an anesthetic for medical procedures at thousands of medical centers every day.

Q: What is esketamine and do you offer it as well?

A: Esketamine (brand name Spravato) is a specific form of ketamine (administered as a nasal spray), and we offer it as well. We will talk with you about the difference between ketamine and esketamine and determine which one is right for you.

Q: I've heard the cost of the nose spray esketamine (Spravato) can be quite high and that many places won't bill insurance for it--is that true?

A: Esketamine (brand name Spravato) is quite expensive. However, our hard working staff are willing to put in the work to get your insurance company to cover the cost of it. We find we are almost always able to get the cost of esketamine covered (there are a few exceptions to this--Kaiser, for instance).

Q: Is ketamine (or esketamine) a pill? Do I take it at home?

A: No. Ketamine is administered via a simple shot (using an even smaller needle than the one used for the flu shot) and esketamine (Spravato) is administered as a nose spray. Only a licensed medical practitioner (e.g., a physician, nurse practitioner, etc.) can evaluate your symptoms and prescribe ketamine, and all treatments are completed in our REMS-certified office. We have comfortable recliners in private rooms for you to relax in during your treatment. You will be the only patient in the room and you are welcome to have a friend, family member, or therapist stay in the room with you.

Q: Does ketamine (or esketamine) take long to work?

A: Both are fast and highly effective! People often report feeling significantly better after just one treatment.

Q: Do I need to come in daily for treatment? How long is the course of treatment?

A: People come in two or three times a week. Many people feel completely better after six treatments; your course of treatment will depend upon how quickly your symptoms respond.

Q: What are the side effects and how long do they last?

A: The ketamine takes effect a few minutes after you take it in the office. People tend to describe the feeling as “weird, but not in a bad way." That feeling lasts for 45 minutes or so and you can choose to nap, listen to music, or just relax during the experience. Brief nausea is possible if you have eaten recently. Your blood pressure may temporarily go up (similar to how it does during exercise). You will be medically monitored in one of our comfortable and private single rooms. Most people report no side effects once the treatment is over.

Q: Why do people say oral ketamine is not as effective as other forms of ketamine?

A: First of all, oral ketamine has very low bioavailability (only 10-20%), so less of the medication is available for your body to make use of when it is taken orally. Second, ketamine tastes bad--really bad--so most people swallow it sooner than they should (rather than holding it in their mouth as instructed). When the ketamine is swallowed, it is converted into norketamine, which isn't very effective for treating mental health conditions. Numerous published studies have shown that oral ketamine is far less effective than IM ketamine or esketamine. Accordingly, we do not use (or prescribe) oral ketamine since there are more effective forms of ketamine available.

Q: What if I am taking other mental health medication(s)?

A: Most medications are fine in conjunction with ketamine and esketamine. Our licensed medical providers will talk with you about the few exceptions and determine a medically-appropriate course of treatment.

Q: Do you offer ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP)?

A: We can refer you to a therapist who is trained in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP). If you have an established therapist already, our providers will work collaboratively with them to help you integrate the ketamine experience.

Q: How many patients do you have per room?

A: Just one! All our rooms are private and comfortable, with recliners for the patient plus a comfortable chair if the patient would like a friend, family member, or therapist to stay with them during the treatment. Yes, we know other places have six people per room--we would never want to personally experience that, so we will never offer that.

Q: Can I get some ketamine from you to take at home?

A. No. We follow the recommended medical guidelines for ketamine, which clearly state that ketamine should only be administered in a medical setting with medical oversight. In the past, some medical practices were allowing people to take oral ketamine at home, but this is no longer considered to be an ethical or appropriate use of ketamine (most malpractice companies no longer allow it for that reason). Both IM ketamine (the shot) and esketamine (the nose spray called Spravato) can only be legally administered by a licensed medical professional.

Q: Who is a candidate for ketamine or esketamine treatment?

A: Adults (ages 18+) with PTSD, OCD, anxiety, or depression. Our licensed medical providers will do an evaluation to make sure our treatment options are right for you.

Q: Do you bill insurance?

A: Yes! If you have a PPO insurance plan, it is pretty easy. If you have an HMO insurance plan, our hard-working and expereinced medical assistants will reach out to your insurance company to establish a single-case agreement with them so your treatments will be covered. Some HMO insurance plans are very willing to work with us; others are more difficult.

Ketamine & Spravato Treatment for Depression, Anxiety, Trauma & PTSD: A Breakthrough in Mental Health Treatment