Ketamine Therapy and Treatment in Los Angeles

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

Below is a clear breakdown of the key topics we cover to help you understand ketamine therapy at BNI Clinics:

• Why BNI Clinic for Ketamine Therapy?
• What is Ketamine Therapy
• Ketamine Treatment Options in Los Angeles
• Ketamine Therapy Cost
• Start Today
• Frequently Asked Questions

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. Here are some of the major reasons why BNI Clinic remains the best ketamine treatment center after almost 20 years:

• Led by board-certified psychiatrists experienced in 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

What Is Ketamine Therapy?

According to BNI Clinics’ lead ketamine therapist, Dr. Arasou, Ketamine is proven effective for individuals with treatment-resistant depression, and BNI Clinics uses it for both adults and the 40% of teens who remain depressed after undergoing other treatments.

Ketamine is a breakthrough treatment that works differently from traditional antidepressants.
While depression weakens communication pathways in the brain, ketamine helps regrow those pathways, restoring healthy function and reducing symptoms, often within hours.

According to research and real-life evidence from BNI Clinic, Ketamine Therapy can treat:

• 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)

One example includes a study of 25 men with severe depression who were not on antidepressants receiving ketamine infusion therapy. Six doses of IV ketamine were given over two weeks, with an assessment of symptoms taking place an hour after each dose. This study found some men felt a difference in symptoms within one hour, illness generally decreased in severity after two weeks, and the effects of ketamine were sustained after a month.

Scientists and physicians are especially optimistic about the role ketamine could play in suicidality. One study found individuals experiencing suicidal ideation in emergency rooms had their symptoms substantially decrease after an hour and a half of receiving a ketamine infusion. This suggests ketamine could be a life-saving intervention for individuals in crisis that may not only calm them in the moment of crisis, but provide lasting relief from depression symptoms.

How Does Ketamine Therapy Work?

To understand how ketamine therapy works, it’s important to understand how depression impacts the brain. There is much we’re still learning about depression and the complexities of the brain, but so far, the stress that comes with depression is thought to alter the way neurons in the brain (brain cells) communicate. They lose synapses and dendrites, which are essential in helping neurons communicate. This less effective communication causes further feelings of depression, creating a difficult cycle to break.

That’s where ketamine comes in. When administered, ketamine causes increased production of glutamate, a neurotransmitter in the brain responsible for mood regulation, cognition, and memory. This promotes regrowth of those weak connections in the brain. This can lead to a reversal of depression symptoms.

Our Ketamine Treatment Options in Los Angeles

At BNI Clinics, ketamine therapy is always part of a larger, doctor-led treatment plan and not a standalone solution. We combine ketamine with psychotherapy, medication support, and ongoing psychiatric oversight to ensure long-term, meaningful improvement for individuals with treatment-resistant depression.

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 same day

• Recommended 6-infusion protocol over several weeks

IV therapy uses low-dose ketamine in a controlled medical setting and is effective for adults and teens with treatment-resistant depression.

Ketamine infusion therapy includes a much smaller dose of ketamine than is used for anesthesia. It is typically given as an IV injection, but sometimes through a shot in the muscle as well. It is most frequently utilized for treatment-resistant depression, but is seeing some use for anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions in conjunction with additional treatment.

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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 used alongside a traditional antidepressant and monitored directly by our physicians.

How is BNI Clinics Different?

The one element that has continued to set BNI Clinics apart as far as ketamine treatment is involved is it’s uncompromising emphasis on safety. Here’s how we go one step ahead:

• Every treatment—IV or esketamine is fully supervised by a physician

• Ketamine is used as part of a comprehensive plan, not as a replacement for therapy or antidepressants

• Your dosing schedule and treatment adjustments are tailored to your unique clinical needs

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

Because ketamine is used for treatment-resistant depression and requires physician supervision, costs reflect the medical expertise and safety protocols involved. On average, costs can vary from $400 per infusion for the ketamine infusion therapy method to up $900 per session for other methods.

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. If the following characteristics apply to you, ketamine therapy might be right for you:

• 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, as more evidence 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 will continue participating in a larger treatment plan in addition to ketamine treatment, such as psychotherapy or antidepressant medication

If you don’t meet these criteria, discuss your options more thoroughly with your healthcare practitioner or psychiatrist. An assessment of your unique needs will give a better idea of the appropriate treatment for you.

Start Ketamine Therapy in Los Angeles Today

If it feels like depression has overtaken your life, whether that depression is yours or a loved one’s, BNI’s ketamine therapy and treatment clinic in Los Angeles is 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) 691-5005.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. 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.

2. 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

3. 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.

4. How quickly does ketamine therapy work?

Some patients notice relief in hours, even after years of unsuccessful treatments.
Most see improvement after 2–6 sessions, depending on their clinical plan.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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 review your full medication profile to ensure safety.