This article will walk you through the key considerations—both clinical and personal—that help determine whether IV ketamine therapy is a good fit. We’ll also explore how to prepare your mind and body for the journey, what mindset is most supportive, and what changes you might need to make tin order to get the most of this powerful healing modality.

What Is Ketamine Therapy, and How Does It Work?

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that, at precise lower doses, can produce a psychedelic experience while promoting rapid changes in brain function. When administered intravenously in a safe, controlled clinical setting, ketamine has been shown to:

• Rapidly reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidality
• Improve chronic pain in some individuals
• Promote neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to rewire and adapt
• Interrupt maladaptive thought loops and promote new emotional insights

Ketamine doesn’t “numb” symptoms—it can catalyze a deeper process of healing and transformation. But for that process to work, you must be ready—not just medically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

Clinical and Medical Criteria

Before considering ketamine infusion therapy, we begin with a thorough medical and psychiatric evaluation. Ketamine is not right for everyone, and safety is always our first priority.

You may not be a candidate for ketamine therapy if you:

• Have a history of psychosis or schizophrenia
• Are currently pregnant
• Have untreated or unstable heart disease
• Suffer from severe liver failure
• Are experiencing active, serious substance abuse issues

That said, many individuals with complex medical and mental health histories can safely undergo ketamine treatment with proper supervision. We conduct a full medical intake and may coordinate with your primary care doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist to ensure this treatment is appropriate for you.

Are You Willing to Go Deeper?

One of the most important questions we ask prospective patients is this:

Are you open to exploring what lies beneath your symptoms?

Ketamine is not just a chemical intervention—it opens the door to your inner world. The psychedelic nature of the experience may bring forward memories, emotions, insights, and images that may help you understand the root of your depression, anxiety, trauma, or pain.

People who benefit most from ketamine therapy:

• Are curious about their internal world
• Want to understand the why behind their suffering
• Are willing to potentially feel uncomfortable emotions about their past in order to grow
• Are not just looking for a “quick fix,” but a pathway to growth

You don’t need to be fearless—but you do need to be willing. Ketamine can help quiet the inner critic and soften rigid thought patterns or loops, but it works best when paired with an open heart and mind.

Are You Ready for Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?

While ketamine itself can create profound shifts, its impact multiplies when combined with therapy. At Innerbloom, we’ve seen this firsthand, and we strongly encourage patients to work with our certified ketamine-assisted psychotherapist—Cindy, Nelson LMFT— to help you prepare for, integrate and process what comes up during your sessions.

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) helps you:

• Set clear intentions before your infusions
• Explore insights and emotions that emerge during sessions
• Identify patterns and beliefs that no longer serve you
• Stay grounded and open during the psychedelic experience
• Create a roadmap for healing beyond the medicine

You don’t need to “figure everything out” on your own. Therapy offers a container for your healing—and often helps make sense of the profound insights that ketamine reveals. Cindy is an experienced guide to help you navigate this journey.

Are You Willing to Embrace Change?

One of ketamine’s greatest gifts is the window of enhanced neuroplasticity it creates. In the days and weeks after treatment, your brain is more open to change—both good and bad, making it a critical time to drop unhealthy habits and create new routines that support long-term well-being.

Ask yourself:

• Am I open to evaluating what’s working—and not working—in my life?
• Am I willing to let go of behaviors, people, or patterns that keep me stuck?
• Am I ready to introduce healthier habits like exercise, journaling, mindfulness, or consistant therapy?

Ketamine doesn’t “fix” your life—but it can help you see it more clearly, and give you a boost to make healthier choices. The more actively you participate in your own healing, the deeper and longer-lasting your results will be.

Are You Willing to Educate Yourself?

Ketamine isn’t magic—it’s medicine, and it works best when you take the time to understand how and why it helps. At Innerbloom, we believe in patient empowerment. We want you to be informed and involved in your treatment.

That means learning about:

• How ketamine impacts glutamate signaling and neuroplasticity
• The critical period of openness to change that follows each infusion
• The importance of integration work (what you do with the experience)
• Common side effects and what to expect during and after sessions

We’ll walk you through all of this as part of your preparation—but the more you learn, the more confident and engaged you’ll feel.

 Are You Willing to Adjust Your Lifestyle?

Your mental health is deeply affected by what you eat, how you sleep, how you move, and what substances you consume. To optimize your ketamine therapy outcomes, we strongly recommend:

Avoiding Alcohol and Cannabis During Treatment

Both can potentially interfere with ketamine’s mechanism of action in the brain. For best results, abstain for at least 24–48 hours before and after each session (preferably throughout the entirety of treatment for the best chance of optimal results).

 Supporting Your Body and Mind With Healthy Habits

• Eat nourishing, whole foods
• Prioritize high-quality sleep and rest
• Move your body daily (even gentle stretching or walking helps)
• Practice mindfulness, breathwork, or guided meditation
• Avoid doomscrolling, excessive stimulation, or high-stress situations when possible
• Minimize social obligations to promote introspection

This is your chance to reset—and even small lifestyle changes can reinforce the healing work happening in your brain.

Your Path to Starting Ketamine Therapy

If everything above resonates with you, here’s what the process at Innerbloom typically looks like:

1. Complete Intake Form

Take note of your symptoms, medical history, and goals. If ketamine therapy seems appropriate, we’ll move forward with a medical evaluation.

2. Medical Screening

Dr. Rivas will review your health history, medications, and lifestyle. Safety is our top priority, and we’ll only proceed if it’s clinically appropriate. In this 30 minute phone call Dr. Rivas will address your questions and concerns.

3. Payment and Scheduling

We’ll process a credit card payment (or enroll you in a CareCredit payment plan) and schedule all of your infusion and psychotherapy sessions up front.

4. Preparation

You’ll meet with our certified ketamine-assisted psychotherapist, Cindy Nelson, LMFT, to begin setting intentions and preparing for the experience.

5. Your First Infusion

The journey begins. You’ll receive your first ketamine infusion in a calm, supportive environment with trained medical staff and our golden retriever therapy dog. Each infusion is followed by time for quiet reflection before a safe driver can pick you up.

6. Ongoing Support

You’ll receive a series of infusions (typically 6 over 2–3 weeks), combined with additional therapy sessions with Cindy. We’ll help you track your progress, refine your goals, and adjust your lifestyle to maximize results.

7. Maintenance

If necessary, we’ll create a personalized maintenance plan to help keep your symptoms under control. Maintenance varies widely from person to person, from once a month to a couple times a year.

So… Is Ketamine Therapy Right for You?

Ketamine therapy is not a passive experience. It’s an opportunity—and a responsibility. The people who benefit most are those who:

• Are ready to take an active role in their healing
• Are open to feeling and facing the roots of their pain
• Are willing to let go of what no longer serves them
• Are curious about what's possible on the other side of suffering

If that sounds like you, let’s get started!

Ready to Take the First Step?

Reach out to receive our medical intake form today. Whether you're struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or chronic pain, ketamine therapy may be the shift you've been searching for. At Innerbloom, we’ll guide you every step of the way—with compassion, safety, and deep respect for your journey.

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About the author:

‍Libby Rivas serves as the Clinic Manager at Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy, bringing a unique blend of professional expertise, personal experience, and heartfelt compassion to her role. Married to Dr. Ray Rivas, Libby is deeply rooted in the health and wellness community, equipping her with a profound understanding of how to support others. With extensive experience in small business management and customer service, Libby ensures that every patient at Innerbloom receives personalized care and attention.