A ketamine therapy session at True Self Mental Wellness is a medically supervised experience designed for safety, comfort, and therapeutic benefit. At our Chandler office, you receive intramuscular ketamine in a private room, remain closely monitored for about an hour, and rest until you are ready to leave with a responsible driver. You can expect a structured, supportive process from evaluation to aftercare, focused on your well-being.
We offer IM ketamine for people who have not found enough relief with standard medicines, including those living with:
Depression and treatment-resistant depression
Bipolar disorder
Ketamine is a medical anesthetic that, in smaller, controlled doses, has shown significant promise in mental health care. It works differently from traditional antidepressants and may bring more rapid relief than many patients found with traditional treatment alone.
How it works:
Instead of targeting serotonin or dopamine, ketamine modulates glutamate signaling in the brain
That change can promote neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new connections and pathways
For many patients, this can lead to a rapid reduction in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder
We are a husband-and-wife-owned, relationship-centered practice where you are known by name, not a chart number
Our team provides personalized, evidence-based psychiatric care for adults and adolescents
Ketamine is one option inside a comprehensive plan, sitting beside evaluation, medicine decisions, and follow-up rather than replacing the rest of your care
Your journey begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. We review your health history, symptoms, current medicines, and previous treatment experiences. We take time to listen and do not use a one-size-fits-all script.
During this visit, we will:
Determine whether you have treatment-resistant symptoms or other qualifying conditions, and screen for safety factors that would make ketamine a poor fit
Discuss potential benefits, answer your questions, and ensure you feel fully informed and comfortable before moving forward
Match ketamine to your goals and the rest of your psychiatric care when it is a safe, appropriate part of your plan
Consider medication management so your daily medicines and ketamine visits work together
Discuss genetic testing when it is useful to better understand how you respond to medicines
Please bring or share:
A current list of prescriptions, over-the-counter products, and supplements
Past medicine trials, including what helped and what did not
Medical conditions and prior reactions
Questions – write them down if that helps so nothing gets lost
We use digital intake paperwork and secure records, so your story is in one place before you arrive. Completing forms ahead of time means more of the visit can focus on you.
Once you are approved, we help you prepare so the visit is as smooth and effective as possible. Ketamine is an in-person service at our Chandler office; telehealth can still support follow-up and medicine visits for patients across Arizona.
Practical steps:
Arrange a trusted friend or family member to drive you home; you will not be able to drive for the remainder of the day
Fast from food for a few hours before your appointment; you can typically have clear liquids
Ask us about food and regular medicines during your evaluation, follow that guidance, and do not make last-minute medicine changes on your own
Wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothing
Pack lightly: identification, your medicine list, and any notes you want to share
Clear the rest of your day; do not stack work meetings, exams, or heavy errands after treatment
At home and mentally:
Set simple expectations with family or roommates: a dark room, fewer notifications, and a low-key evening
Some patients find it helpful to set an intention, such as “I am open to healing” or “I am ready to let go”
Enter with curiosity and an open, receptive mindset; our team fosters a welcoming, judgment-free environment
Your job during the session is to rest and let us handle the clinical side
Our process is structured, medically supervised, and centered on your safety and comfort. You do not need to perform in the room or produce a breakthrough on the spot. Our role is to administer the medicine, monitor your response, and maintain a stable environment.
We specialize in intramuscular (IM) ketamine therapy. IM treatment does not require an IV line. You will not handle the medicine yourself; dosing and observation stay with our team.
How IM ketamine is given:
The medication is delivered via a simple injection into a large muscle, such as your arm or thigh
This approach is less invasive than an IV, requires no needles to be left in place, and allows for a predictable, effective therapeutic experience
If you have had IV treatment elsewhere, tell us during your evaluation so we can compare notes with your history
When you arrive at our Chandler location, you check in and settle into a private, quiet, low-stress room. We help you get comfortable in a relaxing chair, confirm how you are feeling that day, and review your plan and any symptoms that have changed. Then we administer intramuscular ketamine and stay with the process as it unfolds.
During the visit:
We may take baseline vital signs, such as blood pressure and heart rate
Onset of effects is typically within a few minutes
The session lasts about an hour, including the active period and a recovery window; we do not rush you out the door
You are closely monitored by our clinical team the entire time
Most patients listen to calming music with headphones and use an eye mask to help focus inward
You may rest with your eyes closed or sit quietly; you do not have to make conversation during the peak unless you want to
If you feel uneasy, say so – we are present so you are not left to interpret the experience on your own
You remain with us until it is appropriate to leave with your driver
The subjective experience can vary from person to person and from session to session. Ketamine is a dissociative medicine, meaning it can create a sense of disconnection from your body and immediate surroundings. These effects are temporary, and you remain in a supervised setting the entire time.
What patients often describe:
A dream-like or floating sensation, deep relaxation, or a profound sense of peace and introspection
Thoughts moving in a new pattern, a brief change in perception, or distance from usual worries
A valuable detachment from usual thought patterns and emotional pain
Changes in perception, such as seeing colors or patterns with your eyes closed
What to keep in mind:
This dissociation is not frightening for many patients; you do not have to label the experience while it is happening
This is a medical treatment in a controlled environment, not a recreational experience and not a daily pill you take at home
The goal is to facilitate a therapeutic state that allows your brain to build new, healthier connections through glutamate signaling and neuroplasticity
Results vary; some patients who have not improved on standard medicines notice a lift sooner than they expected
We do not promise a specific outcome; we track your response over time and adjust the rest of your care as needed
We keep the environment welcoming so you can be honest about what you feel, including if the session is not what you hoped
The therapeutic process does not end when the medication wears off. After the strongest effects settle, you rest while we continue to monitor you. When you are ready, your driver takes you home and the recovery portion of the day begins.
As the effects subside, you will gradually return to a more typical state of awareness. It is common to feel a bit groggy, tired, or “fuzzy” immediately afterward. You will rest in our office until you feel clear-headed and our team confirms you are ready to leave.
Right after you leave:
Your pre-arranged ride home is essential; avoid driving and other tasks that need full alertness
Take the rest of the day to relax; eat if you are hungry
Avoid making important decisions, engaging in strenuous activities, or working
Create a calm, quiet environment; reduce screens if they overstimulate you
Journal or jot down what you notice, listen to soft music, or simply rest
In the days that follow:
Mood can shift; some people feel a lift, some feel tired, and some feel more emotionally open than usual
Discuss these experiences at follow-up; integration is key to translating insights into lasting changes
Keep your other mental health care in place; ketamine works as part of an ongoing relationship, not as a single isolated visit
Ketamine therapy is generally well tolerated when administered in a monitored clinical setting, but like any medical treatment, it can come with temporary side effects. Our clinical team screens for safety factors during your evaluation and stays with you throughout the session so any reactions can be addressed right away.
Common, short-term effects during or shortly after a session can include:
Dissociation or a floating, dream-like sensation that resolves as the medicine wears off
Mild increases in blood pressure or heart rate, which is why we monitor vital signs during treatment
Nausea or dizziness, which our team can help manage if it occurs
Grogginess, fatigue, or a “fuzzy” feeling that typically improves with rest
Temporary changes in perception, such as an altered sense of time or surroundings
Most side effects are mild and fade within a few hours while you rest at our office, and they continue to resolve once you are home. Serious complications are uncommon when ketamine is given by trained clinical staff in a controlled setting, which is why we monitor you closely for the full session and do not let you leave until you are ready.
True Self Mental Wellness is a husband-and-wife-owned and operated psychiatric practice based in Chandler, Arizona. Every ketamine therapy session, evaluation, and follow-up visit is overseen by our licensed, board-certified clinical team, so you are always cared for by providers who know your history and your goals.
Thomas Martin, PA-C – Board-certified Physician Assistant and co-owner of True Self Mental Wellness. Thomas has an extensive background in healthcare, including experience managing complex patients across the lifespan, and provides evidence-based psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and ketamine therapy for adolescents and adults.
Dr. Laura Barket, D.O. – Co-provider offering personalized, evidence-based psychiatric care, working alongside Thomas to coordinate medication management, evaluations, and ketamine treatment as part of each patient’s broader care plan.
Sarah Martin – Co-owner of True Self Mental Wellness, Sarah works alongside Thomas to oversee the practice’s day-to-day operations, ensuring every patient receives a seamless, personalized experience from scheduling through follow-up care. Her focus on accessibility and patient comfort helps shape the welcoming, relationship-centered approach that defines the practice.
As a small practice, we intentionally keep our patient relationships close: you are known by name, your treatment plan is built around your history and response to care, and the same team that evaluates you is the team that monitors you during and after your ketamine therapy session. We use secure electronic health records and digital intake to keep your information accurate and your visits efficient. We accept most major insurance plans, including Aetna, Cigna, BCBS, UHC, Humana, Medicare, Tricare, and more, to make this level of care accessible.
At True Self Mental Wellness, intramuscular ketamine therapy is a promising, evidence-based option for those struggling with difficult-to-treat mental health conditions. From the initial evaluation to post-session integration, our process is personal, safe, and supportive. When you know what to expect during a ketamine therapy session, you can approach this treatment with confidence, knowing you are in a caring, professional environment dedicated to helping you find relief and rediscover your well-being.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every patient’s situation is different, and ketamine therapy is not appropriate for everyone. Please consult with our clinical team at True Self Mental Wellness to determine whether this treatment is right for you.
About the Author
Sarah Martin, BSN, RN
Your Path Forward Starts Here
October 1, 2026
