How to Evaluate a Ketamine Therapy Clinic or Provider
Ketamine clinics vary widely in quality. Use the categories below as a starting point - not as a substitute for clinical judgment or recommendations from a treating clinician.
This page has been written and edited by the publisher. It has not been reviewed by a licensed clinician.
This page evaluates a clinic as an organisation - staffing, intake, protocols, transparency, and continuity - rather than listing questions to ask in the room. Ketalux names no providers, ranks nothing, and quotes no prices.
Credentials and clinical staff
- Medical director with relevant specialty (anesthesiology, psychiatry, emergency medicine, or internal medicine with documented training).
- Licensed prescribers (MD, DO, NP, PA) overseeing dosing.
- Licensed mental-health professional involved in screening and integration.
- Active state licenses; verify with your state's medical board.
Screening and intake
- Detailed psychiatric history, including diagnosis and prior treatments.
- Medical history, including cardiovascular, liver, and bladder concerns.
- Medication review for interactions.
- Discussion of contraindications (uncontrolled hypertension, certain psychiatric conditions, substance use considerations).
- Informed consent that addresses dissociation, side effects, and uncertainty.
Protocols and safety
- Vital sign monitoring during and after dosing.
- Trained staff available for emergencies; clear emergency procedures.
- Defined criteria for dose adjustment and stopping treatment.
- A designated person to drive you home (you should not drive after dosing).
- Post-session reassessment and follow-up plan.
Integration support
- Structured preparation before the first session.
- Integration sessions or coordination with an outside therapist.
- Written guidance for the days after a session.
- Clear plan for what happens if symptoms do not improve.
Business and transparency
- Itemized written cost estimates before scheduling.
- Clear policies on cancellation, missed sessions, and refunds.
- No pressure to prepay for long courses without first dosing.
- Honest framing of likelihood of response and the need for ongoing care.
Questions to ask
- Who will be in the room during my session? What are their credentials?
- What is your protocol if I have a difficult experience?
- How do you handle integration?
- What percentage of your patients respond, by your own measurement?
- What happens after the induction course?
- How do you coordinate with my therapist or psychiatrist?
Publisher and editor of Ketalux, based in Chicago, Illinois. Ira is a ketamine therapy patient, not a clinician. This is editorial review, not medical review: Ira is not a licensed clinician and does not provide diagnosis or medical care. Ketalux does not accept compensation from providers in exchange for favorable editorial coverage, evidence ratings, recommendations, patient referrals, or organic provider ranking. Read the full publisher disclosure →
Educational use only. The content on this page is provided for general educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Ketamine and related therapies carry risks and are appropriate only under qualified medical supervision. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional about your individual situation. Information may change as research evolves.