https://bniclinics.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/understanding-ketamine-therapy-how-does-it-work.jpg
721
1080
Dr. Aram Keshishyan, PsyD.
https://bniclinics.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/bniclinics_logo.png
Dr. Aram Keshishyan, PsyD.2026-09-15 23:54:182026-09-30 16:23:19Is Ketamine Therapy Legal? What You Need to KnowFast-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 ketamine therapy for depression at our outpatient clinic in Agoura Hills, CA, serving the greater Los Angeles area. Two USC-educated psychiatrists founded our practice in 2008 and have spent more than 18 years treating depression that hasn’t responded to standard care. Co-founder Dr. Arastou Aminzadeh, MD, oversees every ketamine infusion and Spravato® treatment plan in a safe, closely monitored medical setting.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
Why BNI Clinics Is One of the Leading Providers of Ketamine Therapy
- Physician-Led Care: Our ketamine program is led by Dr. Arastou Aminzadeh, MD, and overseen by board-certified psychiatrists specializing in treatment-resistant depression
- Safety & Supervision: Every IV infusion and Spravato session is supervised by a physician with continuous monitoring in a medical setting
- Whole-Person Treatment: We combine ketamine treatment with psychotherapy and medical supervision, with dosing and schedules tailored to client needs
- Two Treatment Options Under One Roof: Clients can choose from our IV ketamine infusions and FDA-approved Spravato treatments, ensuring they find the right approach
- Insurance and Cost Support: We verify benefits before treatment starts to ensure full transparency. Our team also offers support for HSA, FSA, and payment plan options
- Care for Adults & Teens: Ketamine therapy is available for adults and, when clinically appropriate, adolescents.
Our Ketamine Treatment Options
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.
Understanding Treatment-Resistant Depression
Treatment-resistant depression is depression that hasn’t resolved after at least two rounds of antidepressants taken at adequate dosage for the recommended timeframe. It’s more common than you might think, and shouldn’t be considered a sign of personal failure.
Signs treatment isn’t working include:
- Symptoms that persist despite medication changes
- Partial relief but symptoms never fully resolve
- Side effects outweigh the benefits
How Ketamine Helps 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 depression, creating a cycle that can be hard to break when other treatments haven’t worked.
Ketamine interrupts that cycle. It increases glutamate, a neurotransmitter central to mood regulation, cognition, and memory. The resulting glutamate activity helps the brain regrow the synapses and dendrites that depression broke 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. Aminzadeh, BNI Clinics’ lead ketamine psychiatrist, ketamine has proven effective for individuals with treatment-resistant depression. In a 2023 NEJM trial, 55.4% of clients who received ketamine responded, compared with 41.2% of those who had electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). BNI Clinics uses ketamine for adults and for teens whose depression hasn’t responded to standard care, a group that includes roughly 40% of adolescents who don’t improve on their first antidepressant.
Other Mental Health Conditions Ketamine May Help
In addition to treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, ketamine may also treat:
- Anxiety disorders
- Bipolar depression as part of a comprehensive plan
- Suicidal ideation
In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 18 depressed clients who came to the emergency department with acute suicidal ideation, 88% of those given a single ketamine infusion had no suicidal thoughts 90 minutes later, compared with 33% of the placebo group. Researchers called for further study, but the results point to ketamine’s potential as a bridge to longer-term care.
Is Ketamine Therapy Right For You?
Ketamine therapy may be a good fit if:
- Your depression hasn’t improved after trying two or more antidepressants
- You’ve had only partial relief, or side effects have made other treatments hard to stick with
- You’re looking for an option that may work faster than traditional antidepressants
- You’re open to a broader treatment plan that may include therapy or medication support
Ketamine isn’t right for everyone, and certain health conditions or medications may call for a different approach. Our article, Who Is Not a Good Candidate for Ketamine Therapy?, covers this in more detail.
The best way to know is a full psychiatric and medical evaluation at BNI Clinics. If ketamine isn’t the right fit, our team will help you explore other effective options, including TMS, medication management, and therapy.
Ketamine Therapy Cost and Insurance
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 clients take advantage of:
- HSA/FSA accounts
- Flexible payment plans
- Insurance coverage (for esketamine)
BNI Clinics will help you verify insurance benefits and understand out-of-pocket costs before you begin treatment. Contact us to get more details on pricing.
Start Ketamine Therapy in Los Angeles Today
Break free from the bonds of depression. 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 isn’t the right fit for everyone. Certain medical conditions, mental health histories, and medications can make it unsafe. Read our article, Who Is Not a Good Candidate for Ketamine Therapy?, to learn more.
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 clients 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 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 Clinics helps clients understand insurance options and out-of-pocket costs before starting treatment.
How should I prepare for ketamine therapy?
Clients 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 with my current antidepressants?
Often, yes. Spravato® can be used alongside an antidepressant or on its own. 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
Latest Insights
https://bniclinics.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/understanding-ketamine-therapy-how-does-it-work.jpg
721
1080
Dr. Aram Keshishyan, PsyD.
https://bniclinics.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/bniclinics_logo.png
Dr. Aram Keshishyan, PsyD.2026-09-15 23:54:182026-09-30 16:23:19Is Ketamine Therapy Legal? What You Need to Know
https://bniclinics.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/the-benefits-and-risks-of-ketamine-therapy.jpg
706
1080
Dr. Aram Keshishyan, PsyD.
https://bniclinics.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/bniclinics_logo.png
Dr. Aram Keshishyan, PsyD.2026-09-08 23:36:412026-09-30 16:24:50Is Ketamine Therapy Safe? Here’s What To Know
https://bniclinics.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/How-Much-is-Ketamine-Treatment.png
731
1320
Dr. Aram Keshishyan, PsyD.
https://bniclinics.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/bniclinics_logo.png
Dr. Aram Keshishyan, PsyD.2025-12-24 00:24:022026-09-30 18:25:36How Much is Ketamine Treatment?