Ken Starr MD Wellness Group – Arroyo Grande, California Ketamine Clinics

✓ Last verified: February 9, 2026 — Edited & verified by Angelica Bottaro for HealingMaps Editorial Staff

Known For: Ken Starr MD Wellness Group in Arroyo Grande is one of the oldest ketamine programs in California and the original ketamine provider on the Central Coast. Founded in 2012 by Dr. Ken Starr — board-certified in both Addiction Medicine and Emergency Medicine — the clinic combines IV and IM ketamine with NAD+ therapy, making it the longest-running NAD+ program on the West Coast. The practice was inspired by Dr. Starr’s personal loss of his brother to overdose.

💡 No clinic-specific pricing posted? See our ketamine therapy cost guide for typical pricing ranges by treatment type and insurance pathways.

HealingMaps Take: Ken Starr MD Wellness Group is a standout on the Central Coast for its pioneering combination of ketamine and NAD+ therapy — a protocol that few other clinics offer. Dr. Starr’s dual board certifications in Addiction Medicine and Emergency Medicine, combined with over a decade of experience, make this CARF-accredited clinic particularly well-suited for patients dealing with both mental health challenges and substance use disorders. The Central Coast location is a welcome option for patients between LA and the Bay Area.

Market Position: Ken Starr MD Wellness Group treats both depression and PTSD — the two most common ketamine therapy indications, accounting for 34% of HealingMaps patient inquiries.

Ken Starr MD Wellness Group Ketamine Cost Calculator

Ketamine Protocols Compared — What’s Offered at Ken Starr MD Wellness Group

Industry pricing reference. Ken Starr MD Wellness Group has not published specific per-session pricing — contact the clinic directly for a quote. The calculator above shows typical metro-level cost estimates across protocols, not this clinic’s specific prices.

What to Expect at Your First Ken Starr MD Wellness Group Appointment

1. Initial intake call — Medical history review and clinical eligibility check. Call (805) 319-7372 to schedule.
2. Medical evaluation — in-person or telehealth psychiatric assessment, vitals check, and review of current medications with the Ken Starr MD Wellness Group clinical team.
3. First treatment session — supervised ketamine therapy session in a private treatment room, lasting approximately 60–90 minutes. Sessions are held at 107 Nelson St, Arroyo Grande, CA. You’ll have a comfortable chair or recliner, dim lighting, and direct medical monitoring throughout.
4. Recovery and follow-up — observation period after dosing, mood check-in with the clinical team, and scheduling your next session. Arrange for a ride home; do not drive for 24 hours after your ketamine session.

What to Ask on Your Ken Starr MD Wellness Group Consult Call

• How long has the Ken Starr MD Wellness Group clinical team been delivering ketamine therapy, and what specialty training do your providers hold?
• What’s a typical 6-session total cost at Ken Starr MD Wellness Group, and do you offer payment plans, HSA/FSA-eligible billing, or sliding-scale pricing?
• California’s psychedelic-therapy regulatory landscape is evolving — do you stay current with state Department of Public Health and Medical Board guidance on ketamine prescribing?
• What does Ken Starr MD Wellness Group recommend for patients who don’t respond to the standard 6-session acute series?

Patient Questions about Ken Starr MD Wellness Group

This 5-question summary is matched to the protocols and conditions Ken Starr MD Wellness Group treats. Editorial responses are HealingMaps-authored, grounded in our 2026 Ketamine Clinic Intelligence Report.

What ketamine protocols does Ken Starr MD Wellness Group offer?

Ken Starr MD Wellness Group offers IV ketamine and IM ketamine — a 2-protocol practice. Patients can switch between or combine modalities without changing providers. Confirm specific dosing schedules and which protocols are recommended for your condition during your consult.

Is Ken Starr MD Wellness Group suited for treatment-resistant depression?

Ken Starr MD Wellness Group treats depression via IV ketamine (off-label, evidence-based). Insurance coverage is rare for IV/KAP — most patients pay out of pocket. TRD is typically defined as two or more prior antidepressant trials without sufficient response — patients meeting that bar are best candidates here.

Does Ken Starr MD Wellness Group treat chronic pain conditions?

Yes — Ken Starr MD Wellness Group treats chronic pain. They use IV ketamine for pain, which typically means longer infusion times and higher cumulative doses than mental-health protocols. Common indications include complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), fibromyalgia, and certain neuropathic pain syndromes. Pain pricing varies significantly by structure: per-infusion vs. multi-day inpatient packages — verify how this clinic structures their billing.

Does Ken Starr MD Wellness Group treat PTSD?

Yes — Ken Starr MD Wellness Group treats PTSD. Ketamine for trauma differs from depression treatment: dosing is often lower per session, and pairing the protocol with trauma-focused therapy between sessions is common. A reasonable consult question: whether PTSD patients here typically use ketamine alone or alongside an outside therapist.

Can Ken Starr MD Wellness Group help with anxiety disorders?

Yes — Ken Starr MD Wellness Group treats anxiety, including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and panic disorder. The evidence base for ketamine in anxiety is less robust than for depression, but it can be a meaningful option for patients who haven’t responded to SSRIs or benzodiazepines. Worth asking which of their protocols they typically recommend for anxiety-primary patients.

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