General Clinic Questions

What sets Dr. Ghorieshi and his team apart from other mental health providers?

Dr. Ghorieshi understands that the best approach to healing psychiatric concerns requires melding evidence-based medicine, clinical experience, and each patient's unique medical and personal history.  

With the experience of over 20,000 Ketamine/Spravato treatments performed and complete patient-centric care, we give our patients the best opportunity for mind and body health.

What are some tools and techniques used in psychiatric care?

There are several ways to approach psychiatric care and support. No two people share the same experience of psychiatric issues, and no two treatment paths are exactly alike. At Palo Alto Mind Body, patients receive highly customized care shaped to meet their unique needs and goals. Talk therapy, also called psychotherapy, is a great place to begin. Many different forms of talk therapy focus on getting to know your specific strengths and challenges and helping you find ways to achieve better mental and emotional stability.

Medication might also play a role in treating psychiatric conditions. Ketamine is a particularly promising treatment, especially for depression in people who have tried other options without success. Drug therapy is never a stand-alone treatment. You work with your practitioner to create a treatment path that aligns with your needs.

What is interventional psychiatry?

Interventional psychiatry is a subspecialty of psychiatry that uses advanced, evidence-based procedures to treatment mental health conditions when traditional approaches like oral medications and psychotherapy have not worked well enough to resolve your symptoms entirely. Examples of interventional psychiatric treatments include IV Ketamine, Spravato, TMS, ECT, and more.

Our clinic provides interventional treatments, while your current psychiatrist or mental health providers continue your medication and therapy. This is analogous to a patient's PCP or cardiologist managing their blood pressure and cholesterol medications while an interventional cardiologist does procedures such as angiography or placing a stent.

Interventional psychiatry treatments are minimally invasive and involve cutting-edge technology or techniques to target the brain directly.

Does your clinic assume my psychiatric care?

Our clinic is led by M Rameen Ghorieshi, MD, MPH, a Stanford-trained, double board-certified psychiatrist and addiction medicine specialist who was a pioneer in the use of ketamine in the treatment of mental health conditions. Dr. Ghorieshi closely oversees the care of all interventional patients along with his team of PA's. We provide the interventional psychiatry treatments such as Ketamine and Spravato, while your primary mental health provider continues your established psychopharmacology relationship. We will collaborate with your prescriber throughout the treatment process.

How long will I need psychiatric care?

Your treatment planning is tailored to your specific needs and issues. The initial treatment stage focuses on gathering information about your health history and discussing the efforts you have made in the past to manage psychological conditions. Next, your practitioner works closely with you to create a path toward enhanced function and quality of life.

Your feedback is an essential part of the process, so feel free to track and share any changes you notice as you move through treatment. There is no specific timeline for psychiatric care. Some people require more frequent and intensive treatment at the beginning of their journey, then return occasionally for follow-up visits. Others incorporate psychiatric care into their long-term health and wellness planning. When you’re ready to start, reach out to Palo Alto Mind Body online or by phone to find an appointment time that fits your schedule.

Can I bring a companion with me to my treatments?

Yes. We welcome and encourage patients to bring a trusted support person to be actively involved in their healing journey. Here's a blog we did referencing the value of a support person: How to Support a Loved One Through PTSD and Helping a Loved One with Chronic Pain.

How quickly can I be seen by a member of your team?

Depending on the service requested, we typically see new patients within a week of their request. PAMB maintains regular hours, Monday through Friday. We may see patients outside of regular hours based on unique circumstances.

Can I pick the provider I want to work with?

The interventional providers at Palo Alto Mind Body work as a team. You will get the opportunity to meet with a variety of providers, allowing for a diverse, collaborative experience. If you have a preference to meet with a specific provider, we will try our best to accommodate that request. Click here to request an appointment. 

What Services and Treatments are offered at PAMB?

Palo Alto Mind Body offers advanced interventional psychiatry and pain management services. These include IV ketamine infusions, FDA-approved Spravato (esketamine), psychotherapy ("talk therapy"), and functional medicine services.  We view mind-body care as the most successful path to overall health and wellness.

How is a provider selected?

We take a comprehensive, team approach to your care. As the saying goes, "two [or more] heads are better than one," so we offer the full training and experience of our entire team to tailor your treatment to your needs.

How does PAMB work with other providers?

As an interventional psychiatry clinic, we value collaboration with your primary mental health provider and prioritize this for all patients. We also welcome and encourage collaboration with other medical and mental health specialties.

Is there a doctor at the clinic who can prescribe medication for me?

Yes, we have on-site providers who can prescribe psychotropic medications. 

What is the clinic environment like?

Our ketamine clinic provides a safe, calm, and welcoming environment where healing can truly begin. With a focus on comfort and professionalism, our setting is designed to promote relaxation and peace of mind which allows our patients to fully engage in their treatment. We avoid the exam- and surgical-tables you may see in other offices or an anesthesia suite and instead opt for comfortable, homey furnishings.

Where are you located? 

We are located in Palo Alto's Cal Ave Business District directly on historic California Avenue, with easy access to a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes. Street parking is free for two hours, and there is a large parking garage (free for three hours) immediately behind our building. Palo Alto Mind Body. 206 California Ave. Palo Alto, CA  94306

What information/paperwork should an individual be ready to provide when they want to become a patient at PAMB?

You may be asked to fill out paperwork regarding your physical/mental health history, personal information, insurance, a release of information to communicate with your providers, and a financial agreement. If you have any questions about these forms, our clinical coordinators and financial counselors are available to assist you throughout the process. 

How do you handle patient data and privacy?

We approach each individual's care with compassion, respect, and clinical integrity and are especially committed to safeguarding your privacy and medical records. Your personal health information is treated with the highest level of confidentiality and care, and we try to go above and beyond for you to receive treatment in a confidential and private setting. For example, while it is not always 100% infallible, our goal is that you never even seen another patient while at our clinic, so we only use private rooms, not shared waiting rooms or group treatment settings.