5 Reasons Why a Psychiatric Practice is the Best Choice for Administering Ketamine Treatments for D

Did you know that a psychiatrist is licensed to prescribe the same medications and do the same procedures as an orthopedic surgeon, an emergency room physician, or even an anesthesiologist? However, just because as a psychiatrist I can treat an orthopedic condition, it doesn’t mean I should. The same principle applies to non-psychiatrists offering Ketamine services.      Here’s why you may want to consider pursuing these treatments with a trained mental health provider, rather than other types of specialists:       

1. Expertise in Mental Health Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs) who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness     , meaning we understand the full spectrum of psychiatric conditions—such as depression, PTSD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, etc., and how ketamine fits into an individualized treatment plan.

Many non-psychiatric practices administering ketamine treatments are exclusively offering that service, but none of the other key components that go into a comprehensive treatment plan for patients with mental health disorders. Their foundational training is focused on their primary specialty, and they may not have the breadth and depth of knowledge to adequately treat complex psychiatric conditions. Can you imagine coming to a psychiatrist for a torn ACL or a broken hip? You should see an orthopedic surgeon for those. Similarly, you should see a psychiatrist to treat your mental health.

Our mental health providers have extensive experience:

• Diagnosing mental health disorders using evidence-based criteria and years of training and clinical experience.
• Evaluating and treating co-occurring conditions, like substance use or personality disorders, which can influence whether ketamine is appropriate.
• Tailoring ketamine protocols to match your specific psychological, medical, and medication needs.

2. Integrated Medication Management

Our team understands how ketamine interacts with other psychiatric medications (SSRIs, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, etc.) and how to manage those interactions safely.

• We know when to taper, adjust, or pause medications to minimize risks and enhance efficacy.
• We can monitor and manage side effects throughout the treatment process.

A non-psychiatric practice might not know that certain psychotropics blunt ketamine's effects, or that some psychotropics may work better than others when paired with ketamine to maximize a patient’s response.

3. Ongoing Mental Health Support

Ketamine isn’t a standalone cure. Rather, it’s most effective when combined with psychotherapy and follow-up care. Our team at Palo Alto Mind Body:

• Incorporates ketamine into a broader mental health strategy, including therapy at every session, behavioral modification techniques, and medication review;
• Monitors your long-term progress; and
• Identifies when you may need additional or alternative interventions.

Non-psychiatric providers typically provide ketamine using a model of simple, symptom-focused treatment, not wrap-around, longitudinal mental health care.

4. Ethical and Clinical Oversight

Palo Alto Mind Body brings a behavioral health ethics framework to ketamine therapy, including:

• Evaluating suitability for psychedelic experiences (e.g., those with a trauma history or risk of psychosis).
• Ensuring informed consent around mental health risks (like potential dissociation or emotional resurfacing).
• Prioritizing mental health outcomes over procedural efficiency or business models.

While anesthesiologists may be skilled at administering the drug safely from a physiological standpoint, they may not be trained to assess or manage the psychological implications of ketamine sessions.

5. Therapeutic Integration and Aftercare

As a behavioral health team, we often provide and coordinate supportive psychotherapy or integration therapy, helping patients process insights or emotions that arise during ketamine sessions.

• This may lead to better outcomes and more sustainable improvement in mood and function.
• Additionally, adequate aftercare is crucial for determining a patient’s optimal maintenance interval to prevent potential decompensation over time.

ER doctors and anesthesiologists aren’t typically involved in the post-treatment therapeutic process and don’t have the depth of experience in managing complex mental health conditions. The team at Palo Alto Mind Body is here to answer your questions and share our approach and outcomes of delivering over 20,000 Ketamine treatments.