Ketamine-assisted therapy for depression— when the usual treatments haven’t been enough.
A calm, evidence-informed path for people whose depression hasn’t lifted with antidepressants or talk therapy alone. Provided by Artie Gately, LMHC, in person in Orlando and by telehealth across Florida—in partnership with Journey Clinical.
A clear definition
Ketamine-assisted therapy for depression is a treatment that pairs the medicine ketamine with structured psychotherapy—to help people whose depression has not lifted with antidepressants or talk therapy alone.
At Achieve Growth Therapy, this care is provided by Artie Gately, a Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), in partnership with Journey Clinical. The two roles stay distinct: Journey Clinical’s licensed medical team handles eligibility, the medical evaluation, prescribing, and monitoring—while Artie provides the psychotherapy.
Rather than treating the medicine as a stand-alone fix, this approach surrounds it with preparation, support, and integration—so that what surfaces during a session can be understood and carried into lasting change.
When antidepressants and talk therapy haven’t been enough
Many people arrive here after trying several medications and months—sometimes years—of therapy, and still feeling stuck. When depression doesn’t respond to at least two adequate antidepressant trials, clinicians often describe it as treatment-resistant depression. It is common, and it is not a personal failure.
For this group in particular, ketamine has drawn serious clinical attention. In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved esketamine—a form of ketamine—as a treatment for treatment-resistant depression, the first genuinely new mechanism for depression in decades.
Why ketamine works differently for depression
Most antidepressants act on serotonin and can take four to eight weeks to help. Ketamine works through a different brain system—the glutamate pathway—and research indicates its effects can begin within hours to days. Studies suggest it may also support neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new connections, which is part of why pairing it with therapy matters.
Research indicates ketamine can ease depressive symptoms far faster than the four-to-eight-week timeline of typical antidepressants.
It acts on the glutamate system rather than serotonin—a different mechanism, which is why it can help when other medications have not.
An estimated 8.3% of U.S. adults experienced a major depressive episode in a recent year, per the National Institute of Mental Health.
Learn more from a credible authority: National Institute of Mental Health — Depression.
The medicine opens a window. Therapy helps the change last.
Ketamine can create a period of openness—a softening of the rigid thoughts and patterns depression builds. On its own, that window can close again. The therapy is what helps you make sense of what surfaces and turn it into lasting change, through preparation beforehand, grounded support during your sessions, and integration afterward.
Clear roles. Artie Gately, LMHC, provides the psychotherapy—preparation, support during your self-administered dosing sessions, and integration. Journey Clinical’s licensed medical team handles the medical side: eligibility, evaluation, prescribing the ketamine, and ongoing monitoring.
Want the full step-by-step process? Read our complete guide to ketamine-assisted psychotherapy →
This care is often a fit for people facing
Treatment-resistant depression
Depression that hasn’t responded to two or more antidepressants tried at adequate doses.
Severe or persistent depression
A heaviness that has lingered for months or years and colors most of daily life.
Depression tangled with burnout or trauma
When low mood is braided together with exhaustion, overwhelm, or past experiences.
High-functioning professionals
People who look fine on the outside—meeting every demand—but feel stuck, flat, or hollow underneath.
If you’re in crisis, please call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). You deserve support right now.
Three phases, at a calm pace
We get to know your history and intentions, and build the trust and grounding that make the medicine sessions feel safe.
You take the ketamine prescribed by Journey Clinical’s medical team in a calm setting, with Artie present to support you throughout.
Afterward, we work together to make meaning of the experience and translate insight into real, lasting change.
For a detailed walkthrough of each phase, see the full process on our KAP page →
Clear, honest about cost
Therapy at Achieve Growth Therapy is cash-pay. If you have out-of-network mental health benefits, we provide a superbill you can submit to your insurer for possible reimbursement.
The ketamine medication and the medical visits are billed separately by Journey Clinical’s medical provider, so those costs are distinct from the therapy fees. We’re glad to walk through the full picture before you commit to anything.
Serving Orlando & all of Florida
We see clients in person in Orlando and offer ketamine-assisted therapy for depression by telehealth across the entire state of Florida.
Neighborhoods we serve include Winter Park, College Park, Maitland, Lake Nona, and Baldwin Park—and anywhere in Florida by secure video.
Frequently asked questions
How fast does ketamine work for depression?
Research indicates that, for many people, ketamine can begin easing depressive symptoms within hours to days—notably faster than standard antidepressants, which often take four to eight weeks. Responses vary from person to person.
Is this for treatment-resistant depression?
Yes—ketamine-assisted therapy is often considered when depression hasn’t responded to two or more antidepressants. In 2019 the FDA approved esketamine, a form of ketamine, specifically for treatment-resistant depression.
Do you prescribe the ketamine?
No. Artie Gately, LMHC, provides the psychotherapy only. Journey Clinical’s licensed medical team handles all medical aspects—eligibility, evaluation, prescribing the ketamine, and ongoing monitoring.
Does it replace my antidepressants?
Not necessarily. Any changes to your existing medications are a medical decision made with Journey Clinical’s medical team and your prescriber—never something to adjust on your own. Many people continue their current treatment alongside this work.
Is it covered by insurance?
Therapy is cash-pay, and we provide a superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement. The medication and medical visits are billed separately by Journey Clinical’s medical provider.
Is it available by telehealth in Florida?
Yes. We offer ketamine-assisted therapy for depression in person in Orlando and by secure telehealth to clients anywhere in Florida.
Earlier in your journey, or not sure ketamine is right yet? Explore our traditional therapy for depression →
Relief can begin with one honest message.
Send a short note and we’ll be in touch. There’s no pressure and no commitment—just a calm first step toward feeling better.
Send us a note and we’ll be in touch—no pressure, no commitment.
Start a ConversationPlease don’t include sensitive medical details. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988.