Understanding the Role of Ketamine Therapy in Mental Health Treatment

For individuals struggling with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mood disorders, traditional treatments do not always provide lasting relief. Ketamine therapy has emerged as an innovative, science-backed treatment option for those seeking alternative approaches to mental wellness. At Thrive Center for Health in Grand Rapids, MI, we specialize in IV ketamine therapy, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP), and SPRAVATO® (esketamine) nasal spray, helping patients regain stability and emotional well-being.

How Ketamine Therapy Differs from Traditional Mental Health Treatments

Unlike standard antidepressants, which target serotonin and dopamine, ketamine therapy works by modulating glutamate, a neurotransmitter essential for neuroplasticity. This allows the brain to form new, healthier connections, providing relief for individuals who have not responded to conventional medications.

Key Benefits of Ketamine Therapy:

• Rapid symptom relief – Many patients experience improvement within hours to days.
• Breaks negative thought cycles – Helps individuals move past rumination and intrusive thoughts.
• Enhances emotional processing – Creates a more open, receptive state for therapy.
• Reduces suicidal ideation – Proven to significantly lower suicidal thoughts in high-risk individuals.

Ketamine Therapy at Thrive Center for Health in Grand Rapids, MI

At Thrive Center for Health, we provide personalized ketamine treatments tailored to each patient’s unique needs.

1. IV Ketamine Infusions

IV ketamine therapy is administered in a controlled clinical setting, offering fast-acting relief for conditions such as:

• Major depressive disorder (MDD)
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

What to Expect During Treatment:

• Sessions last 45 minutes to 1 hour under medical supervision.
• Patients may experience a mild dissociative effect, which typically fades shortly after treatment.
• A full treatment course typically involves six infusions over 2–3 weeks, followed by maintenance sessions as needed.

2. Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

For individuals seeking a deeper therapeutic experience, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) integrates ketamine treatments with guided talk therapy to enhance emotional healing.

Benefits of KAP for Mental Health Treatment:

• Increases emotional flexibility, allowing patients to process trauma more effectively.
• Enhances self-awareness and cognitive restructuring.
• Strengthens therapy outcomes, helping patients sustain long-term relief.

3. SPRAVATO® (Esketamine) Nasal Spray

SPRAVATO® is an FDA-approved esketamine treatment for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Unlike IV ketamine, SPRAVATO® is administered as a nasal spray in a clinical setting.

How SPRAVATO® Works:

• Provides a controlled dose of esketamine under medical supervision.
• Enhances synaptic connections in the brain, promoting neuroplasticity.
• Administered twice weekly for the first month, then adjusted based on patient response.

Why Choose Thrive Center for Health for Ketamine Therapy?

At Thrive Center for Health, we offer a compassionate, patient-centered approach to ketamine therapy, focusing on science-backed treatments for mood disorders and chronic pain. Our clinic provides:

• Medically supervised IV ketamine infusions.
• Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for deeper healing.
• SPRAVATO® for treatment-resistant depression.

If you or a loved one is struggling with a mental health condition that hasn’t responded to traditional treatments, Thrive Center for Health offers innovative solutions to help you regain control of your mental well-being.

Contact us today to learn more about how ketamine therapy can transform your mental health.