IM Ketamine Therapy

Intramuscular ("IM") ketamine is a single injection delivered into the muscle of the arm, performed right here in our office. Treatment sessions last approximately 60–120 minutes, depending on your individual plan. Your injection is administered by our RN with our MD present throughout. Continuous vitals monitoring and MD check-ins are provided for the full duration of your session. 

Elia Gonzalez-Rodriguez, MD, and the team at Pacific Phoenix Psychiatry & TMS offer IM ketamine for Major Depressive Disorder and PTSD at their three office locations in East Vancouver, Salmon Creek, and Steilacoom-Lakewood, Washington. Do you have questions about other conditions? Please fill out an inquiry form OR call our office at (360) 828-7802. 

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Am I a Candidate?

All patients are required to complete an intake appointment with our office prior to being screened for IM ketamine candidacy. Intake appointments are covered by most insurances. During this visit, our MD will review your history, current medications, and treatment goals to determine whether IM ketamine is appropriate for you.

Patients with uncontrolled hypertension, certain cardiac conditions, or who are pregnant are generally not candidates for IM ketamine. All biologically female patients will be required to take a pregnancy test prior to treatment.

Pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does The Treatment Protocol Look Like?

Most patients undergo two sessions per week for three weeks, followed by a maintenance plan. However, your protocol is entirely dependent on your individual treatment plan and will be determined by your provider during your intake and ongoing care.

Why Choose IM Ketamine Over IV Ketamine or Spravato?

IM ketamine does not require an IV line, making it less invasive and more comfortable than IV infusions. It tends to be more affordable than IV without compromising outcomes, and unlike Spravato, it is not subject to the FDA's REMS program restrictions. It is a practical, well-tolerated option for office-based treatment with strong clinical support.

Why Isn't IM Ketamine Covered by Insurance?

Ketamine was FDA-approved as an anesthetic. Its use for psychiatric conditions is considered off-label, and most insurers do not cover off-label treatments regardless of the evidence behind them. While the clinical evidence supporting ketamine for depression and PTSD continues to grow, coverage has not caught up. We keep our pricing as accessible as possible in the meantime.

Does IM Ketamine Hurt?

You may feel a brief pinch at the injection site. No significant pain is expected during or after.

What Can I Expect to Experience?

Shortly after your injection, you will likely enter a dissociative state -- a dreamlike, floating sensation with altered perception of time, sound, or color. This is expected and is part of how ketamine works. Ketamine acts on NMDA receptors in the brain, triggering a surge in glutamate that promotes neuroplasticity and helps the brain form new connections. This mechanism can interrupt deeply rooted patterns associated with depression, anxiety, and trauma, often producing relief more rapidly than traditional medications.

You will be monitored by our RN throughout, with continuous vital signs monitoring and regular MD check-ins.

After your session: Plan to rest for the remainder of the day. You cannot drive or operate machinery for 24 hours following treatment. You must be signed out by another adult. Avoid major decisions or signing any legal documents within that 24-hour window.

IMPORTANT: You cannot receive IM ketamine if you are pregnant. All patients who are biologically female will be required to take a pregnancy test prior to treatment.