Spravato® for Treatment Resistant Depression: What You Should Know
At Head Well Integrative Psychiatry & Wellness, we meet many individuals who have tried multiple antidepressants without meaningful relief. Spravato® (esketamine) offers new hope for people living with treatment‑resistant depression—backed by science, delivered with care, and supported by our integrative approach.
Understanding Treatment‑Resistant Depression
Depression is one of the most common and challenging mental health conditions. While traditional antidepressants help many people, roughly one‑third of patients do not achieve adequate improvement after trying two or more medications. This is known as treatment‑resistant depression (TRD).
For these individuals, Spravato offers a novel mechanism of action and faster results than conventional treatments—often reducing symptoms within hours to days.
What Is Spravato® (Esketamine)?
Spravato is an FDA‑approved nasal spray derived from ketamine, a medication long used safely in anesthesia and now recognized for its rapid antidepressant effects. Unlike traditional antidepressants, which target serotonin or norepinephrine, Spravato acts on the glutamate system to enhance neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new connections and pathways.
How Spravato Works
• Rapid Relief: Many clients experience improved mood and reduced suicidal thoughts within the first few treatments.
• Neuroplasticity Boost: By activating NMDA receptors, Spravato helps “reset” neural circuits involved in mood regulation.
• Sustained Improvement: Combined with therapy and lifestyle support, clients often maintain meaningful, lasting results.
What to Expect During Treatment
1. Comprehensive Evaluation
Before beginning Spravato, our clinicians complete a detailed assessment of your medical and psychiatric history to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for you.
2. In‑Clinic Administration
Spravato is administered twice weekly during the initial phase, then gradually reduced. Each treatment takes place in a calm, monitored setting at Head Well.
• You’ll self‑administer the nasal spray under supervision.
• Sessions last about two hours, including observation and recovery time.
• You’ll need a trusted adult to drive you home afterward.
3. Ongoing Support
Our team integrates Spravato treatment with psychotherapy, functional medicine strategies, and wellness planning to support your whole‑person recovery.
Benefits of Spravato Therapy
• Rapid symptom relief for depression and suicidal ideation
• FDA‑approved and insurance‑covered for treatment‑resistant depression
• Safe, in‑office administration with professional oversight
• Complements therapy and lifestyle changes for long‑term stability
Potential Side Effects
Most side effects are mild and temporary, such as dizziness, dissociation, or nausea, which typically resolve within an hour or two after treatment. Our clinical team monitors you closely during each session to ensure comfort and safety.
Integrative Support for Long‑Term Healing
At Head Well, we view Spravato as one tool within a broader framework of healing. By combining this therapy with functional medicine, nutritional support, and mind‑body practices, we help clients strengthen their resilience and well‑being from the inside out.
Our goal isn’t just symptom relief—it’s to help you thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Spravato different from IV ketamine?
Spravato® (esketamine) and ketamine therapy share the same scientific foundation but differ in how they’re used and delivered. Spravato is an FDA-approved nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression and depression with suicidal thoughts, taken in clinic under observation and often covered by insurance. Ketamine therapy, by contrast, uses racemic ketamine (both molecular forms) delivered intravenously or intramuscularly. Though used off-label, it’s well supported by research and offers greater flexibility in dosing and integration with psychotherapy.
Both treatments work by enhancing neuroplasticity—helping the brain form new, healthier connections—and can provide rapid relief for depression and anxiety.
Will my insurance cover Spravato?
Most major insurers cover Spravato for treatment‑resistant depression when prescribed by a certified provider. Our team can help verify your benefits.
Can I continue my current antidepressant?
Yes. Spravato is typically used in combination with your existing oral antidepressant.
It is also approved for use as monotherapy, or without an oral antidepressant.
Take the Next Step—Wellness Is Within
If you’ve tried other treatments without success, Spravato may offer the breakthrough you’ve been seeking. At Head Well Integrative Psychiatry & Wellness, our compassionate team combines cutting‑edge care with holistic support to help you rediscover balance, clarity, and hope.
Schedule your consultation today. Wellness is within.