How to Evaluate a Ketamine Therapy Clinic or Provider

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?