Ketamine Clinic

Unmatched Expertise. Unparalleled Care.

Ketamine is one of the most promising new treatment options for depression. It has been used for decades as an anesthetic because of its safety and effectiveness. Over the past twenty years, research has consistently demonstrated that the use of ketamine in lower, non-anesthetic doses markedly improves depression, often in a single treatment session.

Board-certified psychiatrists at Westside Mind Health
Marc Heiser, M.D., Ph.D., Adam Lasser, M.D., and Christopher R. Thompson, M.D. are all certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in psychiatry and child & adolescent psychiatry. 

Photography by Dawn Bowery

Westside Mind Health, Inc. is a new ketamine clinic founded and operated by psychiatrists with multiple board certifications from the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (ABPN). Collectively, we have almost six decades of training and experience in treating patients across the lifespan, who may have both simple and complex mental disorders. We believe ketamine is a new paradigm for mental health treatment and work closely with patients to understand their goals and provide careful, active management of their ketamine experience. This creates a safe, personalized treatment program that enhances their recovery.


The principals of Westside Mind Health have decades of collective experience.

As psychiatrists who are fellowship trained and board certified in child & adolescent psychiatry and have decades of experience working with teens, thus, we are uniquely qualified to provide expert insight and treatment recommendations regarding therapies such as ketamine for adolescents.

Depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems cause immense suffering and often only respond partially to conventional treatments. Ketamine is a ground-breaking, evidence-based medication that can offer rapid relief from symptoms, even when other options have failed.

Ground-breaking, Evidence-based Medication

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is one of the most promising new treatment options for depression. It has been used for decades as an anesthetic because of its safety and effectiveness. Over the past twenty years, research has consistently demonstrated that the use of ketamine in lower, non-anesthetic doses markedly improves depression, often in a single treatment session. Westside Mind Health psychiatrists explain ketamine and its role in mental health treatment.

Together, we will make an informed decision about whether to proceed with ketamine treatment.
WESTSIDE MIND HEALTH

Ketamine
and Mental Health

To determine if ketamine is likely to be a safe and effective option for you, we will get to know you, understand the symptoms from which you seek relief, and learn what treatments you have tried before. Together, we will make an informed decision about whether to proceed with ketamine treatment.

We encourage those who are currently undergoing ketamine treatment and those who are considering ketamine to ask questions and seek more information before making a final decision. Like any medical service there are many factors that should be evaluated in order to determine if it is the right clinical path for you. 

Ketamine is one of the most promising new treatment options for depression. It has been used for decades as an anesthetic because of its safety and effectiveness. Over the past twenty years, research has consistently demonstrated that the use of ketamine in lower, non-anesthetic doses markedly improves depression, often in a single treatment session.

Ketamine has rapid anti-depressive and anti-suicidal effects which is significant for bipolar disorder which has the highest lifetime risk for suicide among all of the psychiatric disorders. Since the long term effect of bipolar depression leads to neuroprogression which involves structural brain changes, it is important to intervene and course correct as soon as possible. 

While still under investigation, early studies indicate that ketamine may work quickly to reduce symptoms of depression in adolescents. It produces powerful mood-elevating effects and alter neural pathways to “change the way you think”. The experience during treatments can be the source of immense psychological transformation and can succeed where other medications have failed. 

The experiences one has during ketamine treatments often provide a new perspective on one’s problems and allow for growth in individuals processing trauma. Though more research is needed, pre-clinical and early clinical trials indicate ketamine may be helpful for the treatment of PTSD. 

During the fall and winter many people experience seasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD). While the specific causes of this disorder are unknown, it seems to be more prevalent in younger adults.  Common symptoms of SAD include oversleeping, general lethargy, overeating, and feelings of restlessness. In addition to light therapy, ketamine services can provide therapeutic benefits which can help to alleviate SAD symptoms.

Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. Many people worry about things such as health, money, or family problems. But anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. For people with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time. The symptoms can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, schoolwork, and relationships.

In cases where adults or adolescents have suicidal ideation or self-injurious behavior, it is imperative that treatments work right away in order to reduce the risk of self-injurious behavior.  The response to ketamine is usually rapid, often reducing symptoms within one day.  This treatment can be life saving when provided under appropriate medical supervision.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a long-lasting disorder in which a person experiences uncontrollable and recurring thoughts (obsessions), engages in repetitive behaviors (compulsions), or both. People with OCD have time-consuming symptoms that can cause significant distress or interfere with daily life. However, treatment is available to help people manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. We believe ketamine is a new paradigm for mental health treatment.


Westside Mind Health holistic approach
WESTSIDE MIND HEALTH

Our Holistic Approach

What makes this ketamine clinic different than others?

Photography by Taylor Woods

We provide a safe, comfortable,
and medically supervised environment during treatment.