KETAMINE THERAPY IN NORTH COUNTY SAN DIEGO
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.
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.
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 Session length: 45–60 minutes Typical protocol: 6 sessions over 2–3 weeks, with maintenance sessions as needed Setting: Private treatment suite with ocean views and continuous medical monitoring
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 Session length: 45–60 minutes Typical protocol: 6 sessions over 2–3 weeks, with maintenance sessions as needed Setting: Private treatment suite with full medical supervision
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 Session length: 2-hour monitoring period following administration Typical protocol: Twice weekly for 4 weeks, then weekly, then spaced out as clinically appropriate Setting: REMS-certified clinic with required post-dose observation period
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 SEASIDE KETAMINE
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.
Metabolic psychiatry evaluation through Seaside Longevity. Lab-driven assessment of inflammation, hormones, gut health, and metabolic function.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, The Gupta Program, Compassionate Inquiry, adapted behavioral frameworks, and mindfulness practices.
Nutrition, sleep optimization, exercise programming, stress management, community, and ongoing support to sustain change.
Before treatment, you’ll complete a comprehensive medical evaluation with our team. We review your medical history, current medications, blood pressure, psychiatric history, and treatment goals to determine whether ketamine therapy is appropriate for you.
We’ll explain what to expect, answer your questions, and provide personalized instructions to help you prepare for your appointment.
Your treatment takes place in a private, comfortable room overlooking the ocean. Throughout your session, you’ll be cared for by our experienced medical team, who will monitor you and ensure your safety and comfort.
Depending on your personalized treatment plan, your ketamine will be administered as an IV infusion, intramuscular (IM) injection, or Spravato® nasal spray.
Most sessions last between 60–120 minutes, including time for preparation, treatment, and recovery before you’re ready to leave with your designated driver.
What We Test: TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, thyroid antibodies (TPO, TgAb)
Why It Matters: Standard thyroid testing misses many cases of suboptimal thyroid function. Low T3, elevated Reverse T3, or Hashimoto’s antibodies can cause symptoms identical to depression, anxiety, and ADHD—even when TSH appears “normal.”
What We Test: Cortisol (4-point or DUTCH test), DHEA-S, testosterone (total and free), estradiol, progesterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)
Why It Matters: First, high stress hormones from constant pressure directly damage how your brain works. Second, sex hormone imbalances are highly common in people of all genders. Consequently, these chemical shifts directly cause anxiety, depression, irritability, brain fog, and sleep issues. Therefore, testing these hidden levels is a vital step to fix your health
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.
Ketamine therapy is incredibly safe when medical experts carefully guide your treatment. Hospitals and doctors have trusted this medicine for decades. Dr. Gillin personally oversees every session at Seaside Ketamine. He brings advanced medical expertise and has safely performed over 1,500 treatments. Our team actively tracks your heart and breathing during your entire visit.
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 15-minute call. No pressure, no commitment — just an honest conversation about whether ketamine therapy could help you.
