KETAMINE THERAPY IN SAN DIEGO & NEWPORT BEACH
Physician-led ketamine therapy for depression, anxiety, ptsd, trauma, chronic pain, and migraines that goes beyond symptom management.
We combine IV Ketamine, IM Ketamine, and Spravato® treatments with metabolic psychiatry and integration support — so relief isn’t temporary. It’s the beginning of real change.
HOW IT WORKS
If you’ve tried antidepressants, therapy, supplements, or a combination of all three — and still feel stuck — you’re not alone. Many people do everything “right” and yet continue to struggle with persistent symptoms.
Here’s what most people aren’t told: traditional psychiatric medications primarily adjust neurotransmitter levels, often taking weeks or months to produce noticeable change. For some, they help. For others, the improvement is partial — or fades over time.
Ketamine works differently. Rather than slowly nudging brain chemistry, it acts on glutamate pathways to rapidly increase neuroplasticity — helping the brain form new connections and break out of rigid, stuck patterns. For many patients, this shift can create meaningful relief in days rather than weeks, especially when combined with thoughtful therapeutic support.
SSRIs and SNRIs work for some people, but up to 30% of patients with depression don’t respond adequately to traditional medications. The trial- and-error approach can take months or years.
Depression and anxiety create self-reinforcing loops in the brain. The default mode network becomes overactive, trapping you in rumination, self- criticism, and hopelessness that feels impossible to escape.
Inflammation, insulin resistance, hormonal imbalances, gut dysfunction, and mitochondrial problems can all drive psychiatric symptoms — and they’re almost never assessed in standard psychiatric evaluations.<br>
THE SCIENCE
Ketamine is the most significant breakthrough in psychiatric treatment in decades. Originally developed and widely used as an anesthetic, it has since been extensively studied for its rapid-acting antidepressant effects — particularly for treatment-resistant depression.
Unlike SSRIs, which take weeks to build up in your system and primarily affect serotonin levels, ketamine works through the brain’s glutamate system. This mechanism promotes rapid increases in neuroplasticity, helping the brain form new neural connections and disrupt entrenched patterns associated with depression, anxiety, and trauma.
YOUR OPTIONS
The gold standard for ketamine therapy. IV administration delivers precise, controlled dosing with real-time adjustments for safety, comfort, and optimal therapeutic effect. This method is the most extensively studied and allows for the highest level of medical oversight.
Best for: Treatment-resistant depression, chronic pain, PTSD, severe anxiety
Intramuscular ketamine provides reliable, weight-based dosing with a slightly different experiential profile than IV administration. Delivered as a single injection into a large muscle (typically the upper arm or hip), IM ketamine does not require an IV line while still offering predictable absorption and strong therapeutic effects.
Best for: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and patients who prefer no IV access
FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation. Administered in-office under medical supervision, esketamine is a derivative of ketamine specifically approved for psychiatric use.
Best for: Treatment-resistant depression, major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation, and patients seeking an FDA-approved, insurance-covered option
TIMELINE
Not sure which option is right for you?
That’s exactly what the initial consultation is for. Dr. Gillin will review your history, goals, and preferences to recommend the best path forward.
| Feature | IV Ketamine | IM Ketamine | Spravato® |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administration | Intravenous drip | Intramuscular injection | Nasal spray |
| Dose Control | Real-time adjustable | Set dose per session | Fixed dosing per REMS |
| Session Duration | 45–60 min infusion | 45–60 min session | 2-hour observation |
| Onset of Effects | Minutes | 5–15 minutes | 15–20 minutes |
| Best For | Treatment-resistant cases, chronic pain, precise dosing needs | Depression, anxiety, PTSD, preference for no IV | TRD, MDD with SI, insurance-covered option |
| Insurance | Typically self-pay | Typically self-pay | Often covered by insurance |
| FDA Status | Off-label (well-established evidence) | Off-label (well-established evidence) | FDA-approved for TRD and MDD with SI |
| Medical Monitoring | Continuous vital signs | Continuous vital signs | Required 2-hour observation |
WHY CHOOSE OUR CLINCIC?
Most ketamine clinics offer treatments in isolation — you get your infusion, you go home, and the experience is largely disconnected from deeper therapeutic work.
Our 4-phase Seaside Method combines rapid symptom relief with thoughtful root-cause investigation, biological support, and structured integration. Rather than treating ketamine as a standalone intervention, we use it as part of a comprehensive care model designed to create meaningful, lasting change — not just temporary improvement.
Ketamine therapy (IV/IM/Spravato) to rapidly break through entrenched patterns and create a therapeutic window for deeper work.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, The Gupta Program, Compassionate Inquiry, adapted behavioral frameworks, and mindfulness practices.
Metabolic psychiatry evaluation through Seaside Longevity. Lab-driven assessment of inflammation, hormones, gut health, and metabolic function.
Nutrition, sleep optimization, exercise programming, stress management, community, and ongoing support to sustain change.
WHAT WE TREAT
No ambiguity about who owns what. That’s what makes this work.
Treatment-resistant depression, major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder. Ketamine can produce rapid antidepressant effects when other treatments have failed.
Generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder. Ketamine helps quiet an overactive nervous system and break the cycle of chronic worry.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, complex trauma, childhood trauma. Ketamine combined with therapy allows processing of traumatic memories without overwhelm.
CRPS, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, chronic migraines. Ketamine’s NMDA receptor action can reset central sensitization and pain pathways.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Emerging evidence shows ketamine can rapidly reduce OCD symptoms by modulating glutamate pathways.
Alcohol use disorder, substance dependence.
Ketamine combined with behavioral frameworks can interrupt addictive patterns and support lasting recovery.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Ketamine has a well-established safety profile when administered to appropriately selected patients in a medically supervised setting. At Seaside Ketamine, patients undergo medical evaluation before treatment and are monitored during their sessions. Dr. Scott Gillin is a board-certified anesthesiologist and pediatric anesthesiologist with more than 30 years of medical experience and experience with more than 3,500 ketamine treatments.
Many patients notice positive changes within hours or days of their first ketamine treatment. This speed easily beats traditional antidepressants, which often take several weeks to work. However, every body responds differently. Some people experience a massive shift right away. Others need a full series of sessions to achieve a lasting breakthrough. We actively track your progress and adjust your plan for the best results.
A single ketamine session keeps your brain highly adaptable for about one to two weeks. We pair ketamine therapy with guided support, healthy habits, and personalized diet changes. This complete approach helps you firmly lock in those positive results. Occasional maintenance sessions will help you easily sustain these mental improvements over the long term.
No, you stay fully awake. In fact, ketamine therapy uses very low doses compared to standard surgery. Therefore, you remain completely aware, though you might enter a peaceful, dreamlike state. Additionally, most patients describe this gentle experience as deeply relaxing. Our medical team also actively watches and supports you during the entire session.
In most cases, yes. Many patients start ketamine therapy while still taking their current mental health pills. Dr. Gillin carefully reviews your daily medicines during your first visit. This crucial step ensures your complete safety and delivers the best results. When appropriate, our team can also help you safely reduce your medication over time.
At-home ketamine programs are popular, but they lack essential medical supervision. Remote telehealth options often miss the precise dosing and guided support found in controlled settings, while IV and IM ketamine treatments deliver the medicine directly and predictably. Furthermore, our expert team actively monitors your heart and breathing in real time, ensuring a qualified doctor oversees your complete treatment.
Total costs will vary because your final price depends on the exact treatments you need. In fact, patients typically pay directly for IV and IM treatments. However, health insurance often covers the cost of Spravato for eligible patients. Therefore, we will discuss all pricing options clearly during your free consultation. In addition, our team will help check your insurance coverage to find the best financial options for your personal situation.
No doctor referral is needed. Consequently, you can contact the clinic directly to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. This meeting helps determine if ketamine therapy is a suitable option.
The first step is a free 30-minute call. No pressure, no commitment — just an honest conversation about whether ketamine therapy could help you.
