Now Accepting New Patients

Ketamine Therapy in
Rockville, MD

Intramuscular (IM) ketamine is a fast-acting treatment for depression, PTSD and anxiety — especially when other treatments haven’t worked. Administered by our clinical team in a private, supervised setting. Results often begin within hours, not weeks.

Book Free Consultation Call (240) 599-1001

83% success rate in reducing depression & PTSD symptoms

Starting at $349 per session — no insurance delays

Initial consultation covered by insurance

Intramuscular Ketamine

Fast-Acting Relief

Results in hours, not weeks.

Treats Multiple Conditions

Depression, PTSD, anxiety, and bipolar depression.

No Insurance Barriers

$349/session. No prior auth. Start this week.

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Understanding IM Ketamine

What Is Ketamine Therapy?

Ketamine is a fast-acting medication that works on the glutamate system — the brain’s most abundant neurotransmitter — rather than serotonin like traditional antidepressants. It helps the brain rapidly form new neural connections, which is why patients often notice improvement within hours or days rather than weeks.

At Bright Horizons, we use intramuscular (IM) ketamine — a simple injection administered by our clinical team. It delivers comparable results to IV ketamine infusions but with a more straightforward administration process and lower cost per session.

IM ketamine is used off-label for psychiatric conditions including depression, PTSD, anxiety, and bipolar depression. While ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic, its psychiatric use is supported by a growing body of peer-reviewed research and is administered under close medical supervision at our practice.

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Conditions Treated

What Can IM Ketamine Treat?

IM ketamine has shown strong results across multiple psychiatric conditions — particularly when other treatments have failed.

Ketamine for Depression

This is the most studied use of ketamine in psychiatry. IM ketamine is especially effective for treatment-resistant depression — cases where multiple antidepressants haven’t worked. Research shows significant improvement in depressive symptoms, often within hours of the first session, with effects that don’t regress to baseline during maintenance treatment.

Ketamine for PTSD

Ketamine has shown an 83% success rate in reducing trauma and PTSD symptoms in clinical studies. It helps disrupt the fear-memory circuits that keep PTSD patients trapped in a cycle of hypervigilance and re-experiencing. For veterans and trauma survivors who haven’t responded to SSRIs or therapy alone, IM ketamine offers a different pathway.

Ketamine for Anxiety

Research shows that IM ketamine significantly reduces anxiety symptoms alongside depression. Patients with anxious depression or generalized anxiety often notice a calmer baseline within the first few treatments. Studies show anxiety levels improve during treatment and don’t regress during maintenance.

Ketamine for OCD & ADHD

Emerging research supports ketamine’s effect on OCD symptoms — particularly intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that haven’t responded to SSRIs or CBT. For ADHD, early studies suggest ketamine may help with executive function and focus by targeting the prefrontal cortex through the glutamate pathway. Both remain active areas of clinical investigation, and we evaluate patients on a case-by-case basis.

The Experience

What Does Ketamine Therapy Feel Like?

Here’s what to actually expect during an IM ketamine session at Bright Horizons.

Before

Preparation

Don’t eat for 2 hours or drink for 30 minutes before your session. Arrange a ride home — you won’t be able to drive afterward. Wear comfortable clothing and arrive a few minutes early.

During

1–2 Hours

You’ll be in a private, comfortable room. A provider administers the injection, then monitors you throughout. It’s normal to feel relaxed, detached, or light-headed — some patients describe a dreamlike or floating sensation. These effects are temporary.

After

Rest of the Day

Once you’re stable and alert, you’re discharged with your ride. You may feel tired or mentally foggy for the rest of the day — take it easy, don’t work or make major decisions. Most patients feel normal by the next morning.

Candidacy

Who Is a Good Candidate for Ketamine Therapy?

IM ketamine isn’t for everyone. Here’s who it works well for — and who it may not be right for.

Good Candidates

  • You have treatment-resistant depression — two or more antidepressants haven’t worked
  • You have PTSD or trauma-related depression that hasn’t responded to therapy or medication
  • You have severe anxiety alongside depression
  • You want fast relief and can’t afford to wait 4–6 weeks for an antidepressant to take effect
  • You prefer a cash-based treatment that avoids insurance delays and prior authorization

Who Is Not a Good Candidate

  • Active substance use disorder (especially with dissociatives or hallucinogens)
  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure — ketamine can temporarily raise BP
  • History of psychosis or active psychotic symptoms
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Severe liver disease
  • Certain cardiac conditions — your provider will assess this during screening

Pricing

How Much Does Ketamine Therapy Cost?

IM ketamine is a cash-based treatment. That means no insurance delays, no prior authorization, and no waiting for approval. Here’s what it costs.

IM Ketamine Sessions

$349

per session — starting price

Sessions are typically 1–2 times per week during the initial phase, then tapered based on your response. Most patients do 6–8 sessions in the first month, then move to maintenance.

How this compares: IV ketamine infusions typically cost $400–$800 per session elsewhere. IM ketamine delivers comparable results at a lower price point.

Initial Consultation

$0

covered by your insurance

Your first consultation — including pre-screening and mental health evaluation — is covered by insurance. This is where we determine if IM ketamine is the right fit for your situation and build your personalized treatment plan.

See if I qualify Call (240) 599-1001

Is ketamine therapy covered by insurance?

The IM ketamine sessions themselves are cash-based and not covered by insurance — this is true industry-wide for off-label ketamine. However, your initial consultation and evaluation are fully covered by insurance. The upside of cash-based treatment: you can start immediately without waiting weeks for prior authorization or dealing with insurance denials.

Safety

Ketamine Therapy Side Effects

Most side effects are mild, temporary, and resolve within a few hours of your session. Here’s the honest breakdown.

Common Side Effects

  • Dissociation — a feeling of detachment or “floating.” This is the most common effect and usually peaks within 30–60 minutes.
  • Light-headedness or dizziness
  • Nausea — more common in the first session or two
  • Drowsiness or sedation
  • Temporary increase in blood pressure (we monitor this)
  • Blurred vision or visual distortion
  • Feeling “dreamy” or mentally foggy for the rest of the day
Intramuscular Ketamine

Meet Your Doctor

Dr. Amir Etesam, MD

Psychiatrist & Medical Director

Dr. Amir Etesam, MD, is a Johns Hopkins–trained, Board-Certified, psychiatrist and the founder of Bright Horizons Psychiatry in North Bethesda, Maryland. He is a distinguished member of Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), the nation’s most respected medical honor society, recognizing excellence in scholarship and integrity in medicine.

Dr. Etesam’s clinical work is exclusively focused on patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (TRD)—those who have not improved despite multiple trials of medication and therapy. All IM ketamine treatments at Bright Horizons are supervised by Dr. Amir Etesam and administered by licensed mental health providers.

He no longer accepts new patients for other psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, or OCD.

For patients seeking care for other psychiatric conditions—such as anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and general mood or behavioral concerns—a highly trained team of psychiatric nurse practitioners works side-by-side with, and under the close supervision of Dr. Etesam. This collaborative model ensures that every patient receives the same standard of thoughtful, evidence-based care that defines Bright Horizons Psychiatry.

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Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions
About Spravato

Ketamine produces a dissociative effect — which some patients describe as feeling detached, dreamlike, or “floaty.” This is a known therapeutic effect, not a recreational high. It typically peaks around 30–60 minutes after administration and resolves within 1–2 hours. The goal of treatment is symptom relief, and the dissociation is a temporary side effect of how the medication works — not the point of the treatment.

The IM ketamine sessions themselves are cash-based ($349/session) and not covered by insurance — this applies industry-wide for off-label ketamine use. However, your initial consultation and psychiatric evaluation are fully covered by insurance. The advantage: no insurance delays, no prior authorization battles, and you can start treatment immediately.

Most patients begin with 6–8 sessions over the first month (1–2 per week). Many notice improvement within the first few sessions. After the initial phase, sessions are tapered to maintenance — typically every 2–4 weeks depending on how you respond. Your provider adjusts the frequency based on your individual progress.

The antidepressant effects of a single ketamine session can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. With a full course of treatment, many patients maintain significant improvement for months. Maintenance sessions — typically every 2–4 weeks — help sustain the effects long-term. Research shows that average depression and anxiety levels do not regress to baseline during the maintenance phase.

Many patients notice a reduction in anxiety symptoms within hours of their first treatment. Clinical studies show a significant and concordant reduction in both anxiety and depression symptoms after the initial treatment phase, with sustained improvement at eight weeks. Individual results vary, but the speed of relief is one of ketamine’s key advantages over traditional anti-anxiety medications.

Spravato (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray that contains only the S-isomer of ketamine. It’s covered by insurance but requires REMS certification and is limited to treatment-resistant depression. IM ketamine uses racemic ketamine (both S and R isomers) via injection. It’s off-label but can treat a broader range of conditions — including PTSD, anxiety, and bipolar depression — and doesn’t require prior authorization. We offer both at Bright Horizons and can help you determine which is the better fit.

The first step is a free consultation with our care team, followed by a full psychiatric evaluation (covered by insurance). We assess your diagnosis, medication history, and overall health to determine if IM ketamine is appropriate. In general, you’re a candidate if you have depression, PTSD, anxiety, or bipolar depression that hasn’t responded adequately to other treatments.

Ready to Get Started?

Find out if IM ketamine
is right for you.

Free consultation covered by insurance. We’ll tell you honestly whether ketamine therapy makes sense for your situation.

Book Free Consultation Call (240) 599-1001 6000 Executive Blvd #101, Rockville MD
⚠️ Disclaimer on FDA Status, Off-Label Use, and Evidence Base for Ketamine in Psychiatry

Important Notice
Intramuscular (IM) ketamine treatment for depression and other mental health conditions is an off-label use. While ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic, its use for psychiatric disorders—such as treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and anxiety—is not FDA-approved.

However, off-label prescribing is both legal and common in psychiatry, especially when supported by peer-reviewed evidence and clinical expertise. Our IM ketamine protocols are informed by the growing body of psychiatric research and are delivered under close medical supervision.

Ketamine has been extensively studied in psychiatry and consistently shown to be safe and effective in controlled settings when administered appropriately:

Ahuja et al. discusses that IM ketamine is being utilized to treat psychiatric outpatients with multiple mental illnesses not limited to depression. Average depression and anxiety levels significantly improve throughout IM ketamine treatment and do not regress to baseline during patients’ maintenance treatment phase.

Hietamies et al. discusses Patients treated with ketamine exhibited significant and concordant reduction in both anxiety and depression symptoms after induction. patients experienced a significantly greater reduction in depression symptoms at eight weeks.

These and many subsequent studies have shown that when administered in controlled, medically supervised environments, ketamine is well-tolerated and safe for psychiatric use. IM ketamine, like IV, is used to harness these effects through a different route of administration.

Our clinic follows best-practice safety protocols, including medical screening, informed consent, and structured monitoring. Treatment is individualized and monitored closely for efficacy and tolerability.

References:

1-Ahuja S, Brendle M, Smart L, Moore C, Thielking P, Robison R. Real-world depression, anxiety and safety outcomes of intramuscular ketamine treatment: a retrospective descriptive cohort study. BMC Psychiatry. 2022 Oct 3;22(1):634. doi: 10.1186/s12888-022-04268-5. PMID: 36192794; PMCID: PMC9528178.

2-Hietamies TM, McInnes LA, Klise AJ, Worley MJ, Qian JJ, Williams LM, Heifets BD, Levine SP. The effects of ketamine on symptoms of depression and anxiety in real-world care settings: A retrospective controlled analysis. J Affect Disord. 2023 Aug 15;335:484-492. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.04.141. Epub 2023 May 16. PMID: 37201900.