San Luis Obispo’s Premier Ketamine Infusion Therapy Clinic

Break Free from Depression & Anxiety

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What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a legal, FDA-approved anesthetic medication that has been used routinely in hospital settings for over five decades. At lower dosages, it provides a safe, rapid, and highly effective treatment for conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, and more

Our Perspective on Ketamine

What We Treat

Our mission is to help people live healthier, more fulfilling lives; we offer ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP) because we believe preparation and integration are essential to create long lasting results




Why Choose Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy?

IV Ketamine Therapy has shown to be highly effective for those who haven’t found relief through traditional treatments. Whether you're overcoming depression or managing chronic pain, ketamine offers a therapeutic reset to help you reclaim your life

Rapid Symptom Relief
Unlike many conventional treatments that may take weeks to show effects, ketamine can provide relief within hours, allowing you to regain control and start living again

Comprehensive Approach
Our clinic offers a holistic and compassionate care model, combining IV Ketamine infusions with integrative psychotherapy to support your mental health journey

Personalized Treatment Plans
We believe in treating the person, not the condition. Each of our patients receives a customized treatment plan designed to address their unique needs and goals

Enhanced Safety
At Innerbloom, your safety is our top priority. Dr. Rivas personally monitors each infusion session, ensuring you are never left unattended throughout your experience

White Glove Service

We pride ourselves on providing top-rated customer care. Our staff is always available via text, call, or email to address your needs at a moment’s notice

24hrs
When most patients notice
symptom reduction
12yrs
Dr. Rivas’ experience
administering ketamine
50+
Five star
Google reviews
82%
Response rate for
depression

Our Patient Testimonials

Our Process

1. Book a free consultation to see if our IV ketamine treatment is right for you
2. Complete the patient intake form which we use to carefully review your medical history
3. Schedule your six IV ketamine infusion appointments
4. Meet with our licensed therapist to prepare for your first IV ketamine infusion
5. Begin integration and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP)

Our Setting

We created a tranquil, modern space in our beautiful downtown location

Our Team

Our priority is to provide you with an unmatched transformational experience that starts with safety

Libby Rivas, Manager

As clinic manger and Dr. Rivas' wife, Libby oversees the day-to-day operations at Innerbloom, ensuring our patients have the best possible experience.

Team Bio
Libby Rivas, Manager

Alisa Piette, LMFT

Alisa has called the Central Coast home since 1993. She has over two decades of experience as a licensed therapist and is thrilled to serve as a compassionate guide for patients of Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy.

Team Bio
Alisa Piette, LMFT

Justin Chernow, PhD

Justin was raised in Connecticut and relocated to the Central Coast in 2008. He earned his Bachelor's degree in anthropology from Pomona College, followed by a Master's degree and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. He obtained his license as a psychologist in 2011.

Team Bio
Justin Chernow, PhD

Cindy Nelson, LMFT

Cindy grew up in Southern California and moved to the Central Coast in 2004. She received a bachelor’s degree from Vanguard University, a Master’s Degree from Chapman University and became a licensed marriage family therapist in 2013.

Team Bio
Cindy Nelson, LMFT

Ray Rivas, MD

Dr. Rivas is a ketamine specialist and board-certified acute care and trauma surgeon with over 12 years of experience in ketamine administration. Before founding Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy in 2022, Dr. Rivas served on the frontlines of emergency and trauma medicine in Santa Maria, CA, and Austin, TX.

Team Bio
Ray Rivas, MD

Eli, Golden Retriever

Eli is one of seven pups from a small town in the central valley of California called Hanford. She's our official Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy brand ambassador and regularly greets and holds space for our patients who are receiving their IV ketamine infusions.

Team Bio
Eli, Golden Retriever

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Affiliations

Our Location

We are the first ketamine infusion clinic in San Luis Obispo and are proud to serve the beautiful Central Coast of California

Call us at (805) 321-8471
Email us at libby@innerbloomslo.com

FAQs

What does ketamine treat?

Depression, anxiety, PTSD, pain, addiction, obsessive compulsive disorder, postpartum depression, fibromyalgia, and bipolar depression.

What conditions do you not treat? Who should not receive ketamine?

Ketamine therapy will not be offered to individuals with uncontrolled hypertension, unstable heart disease, significant active substance abuse, pregnancy, psychosis, schizophrenia, or severe liver disease.

How well does ketamine work?

Research suggests that ketamine, when used as a sole treatment, can achieve response rates exceeding 70% in certain cases. Integrating psychotherapy with ketamine therapy is believed to enhance and extend these outcomes. At our clinic, we have observed an 82% response rate, and our protocol includes ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. This achievement is particularly significant for patients who have not found relief with traditional antidepressants. A notable aspect of ketamine therapy is its rapid efficacy in reducing depression symptoms, sometimes within hours of administration.

Should I keep taking my medications?

Please continue to take your medication as directed. We will thoroughly review all of your medications to ensure there are no interactions. It's important to note that if you are using benzodiazepines or Lamictal, ketamine may not be as effective, and adjustments or increases in ketamine dosage may be required.

Is ketamine covered by insurance?

Currently, IV ketamine therapy is not covered by insurance. However, we offer flexible payment and financing plans to help you begin treatment right away. Additionally, we can provide superbills, which are detailed invoices with specific procedure and diagnosis codes. Upon your request, we can generate a superbill after each infusion, which you can submit to your insurance provider. While reimbursement is not guaranteed, some patients receive partial or full coverage depending on their insurance plan and provider policies.

What side effects might I experience?

Some experience side effects like nausea or fatigue during or after therapy, however, this is typically at higher doses. One can expect a mild elevation of blood pressure and heart rate during therapy, hence the importance of close monitoring and careful screening of patient’s medical history prior to treatment. We do have medications to treat anxiety, nausea, and changes in heart rate or blood pressure.

How many treatments will I need?

Therapy is divided into two phases: induction and maintenance. During the induction phase, patients receive six infusions over a 2-6 week period to initiate therapeutic change. We offer flexible scheduling options to fit your needs, such as one infusion per week for six weeks or two infusions per week for three weeks, ensuring the treatment integrates seamlessly into your routine. After completing the induction phase, patients transition to the maintenance phase, where infusions are provided as needed, typically every few months or longer, depending on individual progress and symptoms. Our treatment protocols are personalized based on your response and schedule, with an emphasis on completing multiple sessions over a shorter period to maximize therapeutic benefits.

Do I need a referral?

Although a referral is not required, we encourage and welcome open communication with other members of your healthcare team with your consent. We carefully assess your medical and psychiatric history, including current and past medications and therapies.

Can I bring a family member or a friend?

You are welcome to bring a friend, family member, or your therapist to your appointments for added support. They can stay with you during the infusion or wait comfortably in our private lobby. Please ensure you have arranged for someone to drive you home afterward, as it is not allowed to operate a vehicle following your treatment.

What is the dose of ketamine?

Ketamine is administered at a sub-anesthetic dosage, with an initial dose of 0.5 mg per kilogram of body weight. The dosage may be modified or increased during subsequent infusions, or it can be maintained at the same level based on your diagnosis and response.

How am I going to feel during treatment?

Common experiences include the sensation of floating or the sensation of watching yourself over your physical body. As a dissociative anesthetic, you may experience the so called “out of body” feeling with separation of mind and body. If you experience undesired or unpleasant sensations, the infusion can be stopped if treatment is given intravenously. However, this is not the case for oral, nasal, or intramuscular routes of administration. In this case, one must wait for the effects to wear off. A health care provider is closely monitoring you and can help if anything becomes uncomfortable such as nausea or anxiety. Additionally, our golden retriever, Eli, is usually available during your infusion for love and support.

How long is a treatment session?

Standard IV infusions are 40 minutes, although patients may stay for up to 90 minutes to allow for effects to wear off. Onset is 4 minutes, duration about 40 minutes, and expect 2-3 hours for the effects to dissipate. Intramuscular injection effects are immediate since the entire dose of ketamine is given at one time. These patients may leave when they choose although we encourage staying at least 40 minutes after injection.

Can I drive home after treatment?

No. Driving or operating heavy machinery can be dangerous as the effects of the medication can last hours after treatment has stopped. Patients require a ride home after therapy.

Are there other options besides IV ketamine? What if I am fearful of needles or an IV?

We also offer intramuscular (IM) ketamine. IM ketamine is effective, safe, and a great option for people who have an aversion to an IV.

Can I eat before therapy, or should I come on an empty stomach?

We recommend fasting for three hours before therapy, as some patients have reported experiencing nausea with a full stomach. However, we encourage you to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water.

Does ketamine always work?

Treatment resistance occurs in approximately 15–20% of patients. If you do not experience improvement in mood after the treatment series, we encourage you to stop.

Do I continue to follow up with my primary doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other therapist?

We encourage you to continue your current means of therapy, especially if they provide benefits to you. We anticipate that your current medications and therapy may work even better after ketamine. It is not uncommon for patients to taper doses or completely discontinue their medications after a series of ketamine infusions. However, please note that discontinuing medications such as antidepressants should be done under close monitoring and guidance from your prescribing physician or provider.

Do you prescribe oral ketamine?

We do not prescribe oral ketamine or any other form of ketamine for at-home use.