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admin2025-12-24 00:24:022026-03-09 02:12:14How Much is Ketamine Treatment?Fast-Acting Relief for Treatment-Resistant Depression at BNI Clinics, Agoura Hills
CALL US FOR HELP: (310) 304-1226
Doctor-Led • Evidence-Based • Safe • For Adults & Teens
BNI Clinics offers outpatient ketamine therapy for depression in our beautifully appointed clinics in Agoura Hills, Los Angeles, CA. We provide personalized treatment plans provided by board-certified psychiatrists in a safe, controlled medical environment.
Why BNI Clinic Is One of Los Angeles’ Top Providers of Ketamine Therapy
BNI Clinics set up one of the earliest ketamine therapy treatments in Los Angeles and remains the best ketamine treatment center after almost 20 years offering:
- An experienced team led by board-certified psychiatrists experienced in treating severe depression
- Safe, controlled medical environment with continuous monitoring
- Effective for treatment-resistant depression in adults and teens
- Personalized treatment plans, combining ketamine with psychotherapy and medication support
- Trusted by families across Los Angeles seeking real relief and long-term healing
- Every IV or esketamine treatment is fully supervised by a physician
- Ketamine is used as part of a comprehensive plan, which includes therapy and other medications if necessary, ensuring a whole-person approach
- Dosing schedule and treatment adjustments are tailored to your unique clinical needs
Our Ketamine Treatment Options in Los Angeles
BNI Clinics offers two main ketamine treatment options in Los Angeles:
1. Ketamine Infusion Therapy (IV)
- 40-minute supervised infusion
- Dissociative experiences may occur (temporary and often therapeutic)
- Symptoms may improve the same day
- Recommended 6-infusion protocol over several weeks
IV depression ketamine therapy uses much smaller doses than what’s recommended for anesthesia. It’s primarily used for treatment-resistant depression, with growing use for anxiety and bipolar depression as part of a broader treatment plan.
2. Esketamine (Spravato®) Nasal Spray
FDA-approved for adults with treatment-resistant depression.
Treatment protocol:
- Administered in-clinic
- 2 hours of monitoring after each dose
- Twice weekly for 1–4 weeks
- Weekly for weeks 5–9
- Every 2 weeks afterward
Esketamine is typically used alongside a traditional antidepressant and monitored directly by our physicians.
How Does Ketamine Therapy Work for Depression?
Ketamine works differently from traditional antidepressants. While most antidepressants take weeks to build up in the system, ketamine can begin relieving symptoms within hours.
Depression changes the way neurons communicate. Brain cells lose synapses and dendrites — the connection points neurons rely on to send and receive signals. With fewer of these connections intact, communication between neurons weakens, and that weakened communication feeds the depression itself, creating a cycle that’s difficult to break using talk therapy or medication alone.
Ketamine interrupts that cycle. It increases glutamate, a neurotransmitter that plays a central role in mood regulation, cognition, and memory. The resulting glutamate activity helps the brain regrow the synapses and dendrites that depression had broken down — repairing the very connections responsible for the cycle in the first place. As those pathways rebuild, depression symptoms often begin to lift.
According to Dr. Arasou, BNI Clinics’ lead ketamine therapist, ketamine has proven effective for individuals with treatment-resistant depression. BNI Clinics uses it for adults as well as the 40% of teens who remain depressed after other treatments have failed.
Other Mental Health Conditions Ketamine Treats
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- Treatment-Resistant Depression
- Anxiety Disorders
- Bipolar Depression (as part of a comprehensive plan)
- Suicidal Ideation (rapid symptom reduction shown in studies)
Ketamine’s effect on suicidal ideation has drawn particular attention from researchers. In one emergency room study, patients experiencing suicidal ideation showed significant symptom reduction within 90 minutes of a ketamine infusion — pointing to its potential as both an immediate crisis intervention and a bridge to longer-term relief.
Ketamine Therapy Cost
Ketamine therapy pricing varies based on:
- Treatment duration
- Medication dosage
- Physician time and monitoring
- Whether infusions or esketamine are used
- Insurance eligibility for esketamine
To make ketamine therapy accessible, many patients take advantage of:
- HSA/FSA accounts
- Flexible payment plans
- Insurance coverage (for esketamine)
BNI Clinics will help you verify insurance benefits and understand any out-of-pocket costs before beginning treatment. Get more details on pricing by contacting us here now.
Is Ketamine Therapy Right for Me?
Ketamine therapy is a viable option for individuals with treatment-resistant depression experiencing the following symptoms:
- Your depression hasn’t responded successfully to multiple other forms of treatment
- You have no other medical conditions, such as liver problems, heart problems, kidney problems, substance use disorders, high blood pressure, or seizures
- You do not have schizophrenia- additional research is needed to make sure ketamine is safe for those with this condition
- You are not taking any medications that may interfere with ketamine
- You are willing to participate in a larger treatment plan, which may include psychotherapy or antidepressant medication
If you don’t meet these criteria, a mental health provider at BNI Clinics will help you explore other options.
Start Ketamine Therapy in Los Angeles Today
Don’t let depression control your life. BNI’s ketamine therapy and treatment clinic in Los Angeles offers a trusted and effective option.
For more on what we do and how we can help your family live a life free from the weight of depression, contact us at (310) 304-1226.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is not a good candidate for ketamine therapy?
Ketamine therapy is not recommended for individuals with:
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure or serious heart conditions
- Active substance use disorders
- Certain liver or kidney diseases
- A history of psychosis or schizophrenia
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Medications that negatively interact with ketamine
A full psychiatric and medical evaluation at BNI Clinic determines if ketamine therapy is safe and appropriate for you.
What does ketamine therapy feel like?
Most people describe the experience as:
- A sense of deep relaxation
- A temporary shift in perception
- Feeling slightly “detached” from their thoughts or body
- Heightened introspection or clarity
Does ketamine therapy get you high?
No. While ketamine can create dissociative sensations, the medical doses used in therapy are carefully controlled and administered under physician supervision. The intention is therapeutic, not recreational, and the environment is structured to promote healing—not intoxication.
How quickly does ketamine therapy work?
Some patients notice relief in hours, even after years of unsuccessful treatments.
Lasting improvements will typically occur after 2–6 sessions, depending on the clinical plan.
Is ketamine therapy covered by insurance?
- Esketamine (Spravato®) is often covered when criteria for treatment-resistant depression are met.
- IV Ketamine Infusion is typically not covered, but HSA/FSA funds can be used.
BNI Clinic helps patients understand insurance options and out-of-pocket costs before starting treatment.
How should I prepare for ketamine therapy?
Patients are typically advised to:
- Avoid eating 4–6 hours before treatment
- Arrange for a ride home
- Wear comfortable clothing
- Stay hydrated
Your care team will give personalized preparation instructions.
Can ketamine therapy be used along with my current antidepressants?
Often, yes, especially with esketamine, which is FDA-approved only when paired with an antidepressant. Our psychiatrists will review your full medication profile to ensure safety.
Mental Health Services
CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
ADULT PSYCHIATRY
PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING
TMS AGOURA HILLS
ABOUT BNI CLINICS
Behavioral Neuroscience Institute
Founded in 2008 by two University of Southern California (USC)-educated psychiatrists, BNI was created to provide the highest level of psychological treatment to residents of Los Angeles County. Commitment to the use of evidence-based therapeutic interventions and advanced psychopharmacology, as well as a huge dose of compassion, is what differentiates BNI from other mental health treatment providers.
Our Team
Dr. Oliver Ahmadpour
Co-founder and Practice Psychiatrist
Dr. Arastou Aminzadeh, MD
Co-Founder and Practice Psychiatrist
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