There are a few questions you should ask any provider who you are considering using for ketamine treatments or infusions. In Portland, Oregon, you have a variety of options to choose from and it’s important to understand that not all providers are created equal. Although ketamine itself is not new, and has been used in hospitals and operating rooms for a very long time with a proven safety track record, ketamine treatments for mental health concerns and pain disorders are a relatively new phenomenon. Most clinics have only been open for a few years, if that, meaning that some providers are more experienced with the therapy than others.
Before committing to a ketamine treatment provider, feel empowered to ask questions and get comfortable with your provider. If you can’t get comfortable with them, then take that as a sign that that’s not the provider for you and move onto the next clinic on your list.
When asking questions of potential providers, consider posing the following questions:
What is your ketamine therapy treatment space like?
Because ketamine treatments are sometimes intense sensory experiences that involve altered states of consciousness, it’s important that you feel safe and comfortable for the duration of your session. For most patients, this means a clean, comfortable, welcoming, private room with a reclining chair or bed. Many patients enjoy headphones, blankets, and eye masks during their treatment, although this is not required. If you feel uncertain about the treatment space, ask to see it in advance of your session.
At Shanti Wellness and Recovery, we offer private treatment rooms in a cozy family clinic built into a renovated craftsman, ensuring a quiet, comfortable experience.
What is the cost of ketamine therapy infusions and what services can I expect to be included in that price?
There should be no uncertainty about the cost for your treatment. Some clinics have a certain number of sessions you’ll need to purchase in advance, while others allow individual sessions. Some clinics take insurance, while others only allow payments out-of-pocket. Another factor that distinguishes clinics from one another is the level of medical supervision during sessions and integration (or counseling) offered once sessions have completed.
If you’re not sure how much sessions cost or if they are covered by your insurance plan, just ask.
At Shanti Wellness and Recovery we accept a wide range of insurance from Tricare to United Behavioral Health, to PacificSource, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield, Providence Health and Services, Moda, Cigna, Aetna, Medicare, First Choice Health, and more. Speak with our receptionist at (503) 206-8850 or reach out at info@shantipdx.com.
What safety protocols do you follow for ketamine therapy?
Safety protocols for ketamine therapy begin before the session ever starts. Safety-minded providers will do a thorough medical examination prior to ever prescribing ketamine treatments. Certain conditions, medications, and other factors can make ketamine treatments a poor choice for some patients. This examination and determination should be made preferably by an MD.
During your sessions, you should know who will be attending you and how closely they will be monitoring you. It’s important to have medical professionals, preferably MDs, on site in case of emergency.
At Shanti Wellness and Recovery, all sessions are supervised by Dr Robbie Bahl, MD. All intake assessments are completed by Dr. Bahl as well.
How long have you been doing ketamine treatments? What training have you received in this modality?
As stated earlier, ketamine is a newer treatment for mood disorders such as treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. Many new clinics have sprung up in recent years, but some are more reputable than others. It’s completely fair to ask your provider how long they have been administering ketamine treatments and to ask for details about the training they’ve received in the modality.
Does your clinic only offer ketamine therapy treatments or do you offer other services, as well?
This is a critical question for providers and the answer will tell you a lot about the quality of care you’re likely to receive at the clinic in question. A good ketamine therapy clinic will have a specialty in mental health and behavioral health conditions, with several mental health professionals on staff. If the clinic offers other services, but those services appear to be random and unrelated to ketamine – like botox, for example – consider that to be a prominent red flag. This is telling you that the common theme tying the clinic together is revenue rather than patient care.
At Shanti Wellness and Recovery, we specialize in mental health and addiction treatment. We offer pediatric and adult psychiatry services, as well as medicated assisted treatment for a wide variety of behavioral health conditions. We have MDs, licensed counselors, and psychiatrists on staff. We offer other treatments for certain mental health concerns, such as TMS. These connected services are driven by our mission, which is to serve Portland patients who are struggling with mental health concerns, addiction problems, or some combination of the two.
Looking for Ketamine Therapy in Portland Oregon?
Interested to learn more about Shanti Recovery and Wellness? Give us a call today to learn more about next steps for your ketamine therapy journey!