The Best Ketamine Clinics in Boston
For people in the Boston area suffering from treatment-resistant mood disorders and chronic pain, ketamine is a beacon of hope. A growing body of positive scientific evidence and glowing reviews from people is making ketamine treatment a sought-after treatment option. Treatment is becoming widely available. However with the number of new clinics popping up all over Boston the task is to find the best one. Here are the best ketamine clinics in Boston (and the Boston area.)
Clinics often boast over a 70% success rate with effects kicking working in a few hours. Ketamine seems to shine most with depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar and chronic pain, particularly when other treatment methods have failed.
Do keep in mind, however, that ketamine will not help at least 30% of people—and it is expensive. While many ketamine clinics in Boston are doing their best to partner with insurance companies it is imperative to find a clinic you can afford, with the environment, approach and staff that feels right for you.
READ NEXT: New To Ketamine Treatment? Here’s A Glossary of Ketamine Therapy Terms
Best Ketamine Clinics in the Greater Boston Area: How We Chose Which Clinics Make The List
We dug into the background of every clinic we could find in Boston. We check reviews of the service, the reputation of founders and staff, along the environment and approach to treatment. If we can’t find out who runs a clinic or verify ketamine-specific services are top-notch (or if we find out there are serious problems) we don’t place a clinic on the list.
Getting ketamine treatment is an extensive and involved process, far more than simply taking a daily pill. The accepted protocol for achieving the highest possibility for transformation and healing involves professional mental health support. We recognize many are providing incredible experiences without therapy, but we tend to favour clinics providing or strongly encouraging preparation and integration.
To help you navigate the number of clinics in Massachusetts we built this list. We recommend choosing several clinics that interest you and researching them thoroughly before making the decision to proceed with ketamine therapy.
Cambridge Biotherapies
Cambridge Location: 6 Bigelow St, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
Amherst Location: 7 N Pleasant St Suite 2C, Amherst, MA 01002
What They Treat: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar, addiction, postpartum depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Healing Maps Says: Cambridge Biotherapies is led by Medical Director Daniel A. Brenner, MD, a Harvard alumnus and former Clinical Medical Instructor at Harvard Medical School. Bostonians respect Dr. Brenner’s twenty-plus years in practice, and his seasoneunspad team of psychiatrists, therapists, nurses, technicians and stellar support staff. The clinic has a collaborative approach with clients that includes ketamine, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), medication management and alongside therapy to provide dramatic shifts in mental health.
Patients don’t need a referral, as Cambridge Biotherapies works directly with prospective patients–although they are happy to collaborate with current care providers. The intake process starts by contacting the clinic, collecting health history, and in-person screening. In some cases, reimbursement through insurance may be possible. In such cases, the staff is happy to submit for approval on the patient’s behalf.
Patient Testimonial/Review: “After trying everything else for twenty years, and finding nothing worked, I found Cambridge Biotherapies. I have done both TMS and Ketamine infusion with very good results. There is hope here and it does get better.” – Dianne via Google
Do They Offer Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy: Yes. The KAPstone Psychedelic Therapy Program is an eleven-week process of preparation, ketamine infusions and integration therapy with a long-term follow-up one month later.
Lumin Health
Location: 53 Langley Rd Suite 250, Newton Centre, MA 02459, United States
What They Treat: Depression, anxiety, OCD and PTSD
Healing Maps Says: Led by Benjamin Yudkoff, MD, MA, Kerry Parsons, NP, and Gene Dolgan MBA, Lumin Health takes a holistic approach to ketamine therapy. Dr. Yudkoffs’s experience in leadership at local hospitals and expertise as an Instructor at Harvard Medical School informs his ketamine practice. Dr. Yudkoff also has lectured about spirituality and ketamine. With infusions, Spravato, and couples treatments Lumin is helping patients responsibly improve their mental health in a warm, modern environment.
Schedule a 20-minute consultation through the website. Following this, an insurance-covered evaluation leads to medical clearance and communication with other care providers involved. Lumin offers intravenous, intramuscular and Spravato treatment. Their approach to infusions is three initial sessions with three to seven more sessions depending on the patient. Maintenance may be with infusions or intranasal. Lumin also accepts insurance from multiple providers in Massachusetts.
Patient Testimonial/Review: “Every single person I interacted with had a passion for helping their patients and it shows. They were amazing, caring people who made me feel at ease. Additionally, the office was clean, cozy and comfortable and in a great location.” – Tom via Google
Do They Offer Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy: Yes. Lumin offers therapy and integration sessions for clients one-on-one or as a group. Couples ketamine therapy is available and all treatments the practice encourages patients to integrate their ketamine treatments into wellness regimes.
Boston MindCare
Location: 271 Lincoln St #5, Lexington, MA 02421, United States
What They Treat: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar, chronic pain and other mood disorders.
Healing Maps Says: Led by anesthesiologists Jason Yee, MD, and Isabel Legarda, MD, Mindcure is one of the oldest clinics in the Boston area. With a focus on patient-centered, compassionate care the team encourages patients to ask questions and provide feedback to create customized treatment plans. The physician in charge personally oversees all ketamine infusions in a calming environment with individual treatment rooms.
Prospective patients with a referral from their healthcare provider can call the clinic or apply via online forms. Then the staff psychologist conducts a question-and-answer session along with performing a complete physical. The staff assesses the results and creates a treatment plan. For those ketamine is appropriate for intravenous infusions, intramuscular injections, intranasal Spravato and oral troches are available.
Patient Testimonial/Review: “Wonderful, attentive staff; a comfortable environment; and Dr. Yee! I have been a patient of his for a year now – his professionalism, expertise, and bedside manner is truly unparalleled.” – Mohamad via Google
Do They Offer Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy: No, Boston MindCure strongly believes in collaboration with other healthcare providers, but does not include therapy.
EQNMT Boston
Location: Experience Locations Vary, Contact for Details
What They Treat: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD and addiction.
Healing Maps Says: Co-founded by distinguished South African clinical psychologists Anthony Townsend and Brad Kallenbah alongside Massachusetts CEO James Stein, EQNMT or “equanimity” defines itself as a health and wellness company using psychedelics and ketamine as but one tool. With intensive programs in Boston and LA, along with a psilocybin retreat in Jamacia, the team includes several mental health professionals, a doctor, a nurse, a nutritionist, a yogi, and personal trainers for a truly holistic experience.
The company designed its one-month Urban Ketamine Wellness Program to be a four-week mind and body reset. With four ketamine experiences, group preparation and integration, strength training, cloud plunges, breathwork, meditation, yoga, sound baths and group work–all without needing to take time off. Patients can add additional data-driven tracking of biometrics and nutrition options. Those interested can apply through the website.
Patient Testimonial/Review: “Speechless. The absolute precision of the three amazing guides was the key. It is not their titles or their medical accolades that matter to them. It is their absolute commitment, dedication, love, generosity, care, warmth, and passion” – B.B. vis EQNMT website.
Do They Offer Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy: Yes. Founded by therapists, the EQNMT approach is intentionally focused on the “therapy” part of psychedelic therapy in both individual and group contexts over the long term.
Emerge Ketamine
Location: 100 Tradecenter Dr suite g700 Office 818, Woburn, MA 01801, United States
What They Treat: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, addiction, chronic pain and other mood disorders.
Healing Maps Says: Emergency Physicians Liam Mahoney, MD, and Joseph Benedict, MD, MPH, have witnessed firsthand the distress many experience trying to manage compromised mental health. In an effort to help people find true heath, the pair created Emerge Ketamine to provide care that works for patients. Emerge offers both in-office and at-home intravenous ketamine infusions along with intranasal Spravto treatments.
A free telemedicine evaluation can be scheduled through the website and infusions or boosters are available without a referral. The office is designed for a smooth and safe ketamine experience, while IV at-home treatment simplifies treatment and comfort. Emerge is in-network with several insurance providers and can provide information on having evaluations covered.
Patient Testimonial/Review: “I have nothing but positive things to say about my experience with Emerge. The staff is lovely and easy to work with and even though I’ve only completed two treatments so far, the therapy has made a huge difference on my quality of life. Being able to get treatment in the comfort of my own home is such a game-changer. – Eli via Google
Do They Offer Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy: No. Emerge encourages eating well, exercise, talk therapy and social support for best results, but does not include therapy in treatment packages.
Bruce Kaster, MD, of Ketamine Greater Boston
Ketamine Greater Boston
Location: 109 Highland Ave. Suite 204 Needham, MA 02494
What They Treat: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, postpartum, and other psychiatric disorders
Healing Maps Says: In operation since 2015, Ketamine Greater Boston is owned and operated by Bruce Kaster, MD. The team of physicians and nurse anesthetists have administered tens of thousands of ketamine infusions in a tranquil and accommodating environment with a long track record of success.
Prospective patients can book a free consultation session online. Ketamine Greater Boston asks for a referral from a licensed mental health care professional. After one or two treatments patients will know if ketamine is right for them. With a positive response, a series of six infusions will be recommended in the first two weeks of treatment. Boosters are evaluated case by case. Insurance does not cover the cost of infusions.
Patient Testimonial/Review: “Bruce’s office is inviting, comfortable, and not like other medical offices that are cold and you’re treated like an object on an assembly line. His staff are phenomenal and from personal experience, they are very knowledgeable, professional and quick during an emergency. They’re all very caring, they know what they’re doing. I just can’t say enough about them except go yourself and you WILL have a really good experience. His treatments work! – Dawn via Google
Do They Offer Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy: No, therapy is not included. Ketamine Greater Boston encourages maximizing treatment outcomes with diet, exercise, community and therapy. They can provide a network of trusted therapists for those in need.
