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Psychedelic assisted psychotherapy
room to hope…
Relax on one of our couches in your own private waterfront treatment room.
room to breathe…
Relax on our zero gravity reclining massage chairs in your own private treatment room.
We are pioneers. At the forefront of innovation, we at Sweetgrass Psychiatry hold a firm belief in our responsibility to offer our patients access to the most advanced, efficacious, and secure treatment modalities available for mental health challenges.
The landscape of psychiatric care is being reshaped by promising research into the therapeutic potential of psychedelic medications, including psilocybin, MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine), and LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide). These substances have shown remarkable promise in treating conditions such as major depression, PTSD, and generalized anxiety disorder. Our approach is grounded in the principle that these treatments, when administered under the vigilant supervision of a licensed healthcare professional in a clinical setting, may offer unparalleled benefits to patients who have been appropriately screened. It's important to note that these treatments are under FDA investigation and have not received FDA approval; therefore, we advise against their use outside of approved clinical trials.
While ketamine and its nasal spray derivative, esketamine (marketed as Spravato), are not classified as psychedelic medications but rather as dissociative anesthetic agents, they can induce states similar to those experienced with psychedelics. Notably, while Spravato itself has not been specifically studied in conjunction with psychotherapy, there exists a wealth of data supporting the efficacy of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, yielding outstanding outcomes for patients. At Sweetgrass Psychiatry, our clinical observations since 2019 affirm the enhanced benefits of integrating Spravato treatment with psychotherapeutic support, despite the standalone efficacy of Spravato in alleviating symptoms of depression.
Our commitment extends beyond mere treatment to encompass a holistic care philosophy, emphasizing the synergy between cutting-edge pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. This approach not only aligns with our pioneering spirit but also with our unwavering dedication to ensuring that our patients have access to the safest and most effective care pathways for their mental health needs.
WHAT DOes SPRAVATO® and KETAMINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY TREATMENT LOOK LIKE?
Brittany Albright MD, MPH
National Spravato Expert and Certified Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapist
The core of Spravato assisted psychotherapy lies in its combination approach. Patients receive the Spravato nasal spray under medical supervision in a certified treatment center. This is not a take-home medication but one that requires administration in a controlled environment due to its potent and immediate effects, which can include dissociation and sedation.
Following medication administration, patients remain under observation for at least two hours within the safety of the clinical space. Patients may have the option of engaging in psychotherapy before or after their ketamine or esketamine treatment session. We often find the best time for psychotherapy occurs 1-3 days after the ketamine/esketamine treatment session. This integration of pharmacological treatment with psychotherapy aims to leverage the heightened state of neuroplasticity induced by esketamine. Essentially, the drug may help the brain to form new neural connections more readily, potentially making it more receptive to the therapeutic work being done.
The Therapeutic Potential
Spravato assisted psychotherapy offers a novel approach to treating depression by combining the immediate symptom relief provided by esketamine with the long-term benefits of psychotherapy. This dual strategy is particularly beneficial for those who have not found success with other treatments. Research and clinical trials have shown that esketamine can rapidly reduce symptoms of depression within hours, a significant advantage over traditional antidepressants that may take weeks to show effects.
Who Can Benefit?
Spravato assisted psychotherapy is specifically designed for adults with treatment-resistant depression, meaning those who have not responded to at least two different antidepressants during their current depressive episode. It's a valuable option for patients seeking alternatives to conventional treatments, offering a beacon of hope for those who have struggled to find relief.
GET STARTED
To start treatment, give the office a call and specifically request for a Spravato®/ketamine intake appointment or have your psychiatrist/therapist/primary care doctor fax us a referral to (888)316-7716. We strongly recommend that patients be involved in psychotherapy and particularly, integration of the esketamine experience. Contact your provider at Sweetgrass Psychiatry to be established with a therapist to guide you in the days after your treatment session.
sample treatment plan:
Refer to our expert therapist’s sample Spravato assisted psychotherapy treatment plan below:
Download a free integration workbook here: https://maps.org/integration-station/.
Sweetgrass Psychiatry Isle of Palms, SC Spravato Treatment Center
Sweetgrass Psychiatry Spravato Treatment Center, Isle of Palms, SC
spravato® IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is the most important information I should know about SPRAVATO®?
SPRAVATO® can cause serious side effects, including:
Sedation, respiratory depression and dissociation. SPRAVATO® may cause sleepiness (sedation), fainting, dizziness, spinning sensation, anxiety, or feeling disconnected from yourself, your thoughts, feelings, space and time (dissociation).
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you feel like you cannot stay awake or if you feel like you are going to pass out.
Your healthcare provider must monitor you for serious side effects for at least 2 hours after taking SPRAVATO®. Your healthcare provider will decide when you are ready to leave the healthcare setting.
Abuse and misuse. There is a risk for abuse and physical and psychological dependence with SPRAVATO® treatment. Your healthcare provider should check you for signs of abuse and dependence before and during treatment with SPRAVATO®.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs.
Your healthcare provider can tell you more about the differences between physical and psychological dependence and drug addiction.
SPRAVATO® Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). Because of the risks for sedation, dissociation, and abuse and misuse, SPRAVATO® is only available through a restricted program called the SPRAVATO® Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program. SPRAVATO® can only be administered at healthcare settings certified in the SPRAVATO® REMS Program. Patients treated in outpatient healthcare settings (e.g., medical offices and clinics) must be enrolled in the program.
Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. Antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts and actions in some people 24 years of age and younger, especially within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. SPRAVATO® is not for use in children.
Depression and other serious mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts and actions. Some people may have a higher risk of having suicidal thoughts or actions. These include people who have (or have a family history of) depression or a history of suicidal thoughts or actions.
How can I watch for and try to prevent suicidal thoughts and actions in myself or a family member?
Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings, or if you develop suicidal thoughts or actions.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings.
Keep all follow-up visits with your healthcare provider as scheduled. Call your healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you have concerns about symptoms.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you or your family member have any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:
suicide attempts
worsening depression
thoughts about suicide or dying
other unusual changes in behavior or mood
Sweetgrass Psychiatry Spravato Treatment Center, Isle of Palms, SC
SPRAVATo® References
National Institute of Mental Health. Major depression. Updated February 2019. www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml#part_155720. Accessed June 3, 2019.
National Institute of Mental Health. U.S. YLDs contributed by mental and behavioral disorders. www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/disability/us-ylds-contributed-by-mental-and-behavioral-disorders.shtml. Accessed June 11, 2019.
Greenberg PE, Fournier AA, Sisitsky T, et al. The economic burden of adults with major depressive disorder in the United States (2005 and 2010). J Clin Psychiatry. 2015;76:155-162.
Department of Health & Human Services. Does depression increase the risk for suicide? www.hhs.gov/answers/mental-health-and-substance-abuse/does-depression-increase-risk-of-suicide/index.html. Accessed June 4, 2019.
Popova V, Daly EJ, Trivedi M, et al. Efficacy and safety of flexibly dosed esketamine nasal spray combined with a newly initiated oral antidepressant in treatment-resistant depression: a randomized double-blind active-controlled study. Am J Psychiatry. 2019;176:428-438.
Rush AJ, Trivedi MH, Wisniewski SR, et al. Acute and longer-term outcomes in depressed outpatients requiring one or several treatment steps: a STAR*D report. Am J Psychiatry. 2006;163:1905-1917.
Spravato (esketamine) nasal spray, CIII [prescribing information]. Titusville, NJ: Janssen Pharmaceuticals; May 2019.
National Institute of Mental Health. Mental health medications. Revised October 2016. Accessed June 4, 2019.
Trivedi MH, Daly EJ. Treatment strategies to improve and sustain remission in major depressive disorder. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2008;10:377-384.
National Institute of Mental Health. Rapidly-acting treatments for treatment-resistant depression (RAPID). www.nimh.nih.gov/research/research-funded-by-nimh/research-initiatives/rapidly-acting-treatments-for-treatment-resistant-depression-rapid.shtml. Accessed June 3, 2019.