When is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Not Appropriate?

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is not appropriate for every individual. Certain psychiatric, medical, or substance-related conditions may make ketamine treatment—whether provided in an individual or group setting—unsafe or clinically inadvisable.

People with active psychotic disorders, untreated bipolar mania, ongoing substance use disorders, or significant uncontrolled medical conditions may require alternative treatment approaches or additional stabilization before ketamine therapy can be considered. In some cases, the nature of a person's symptoms or therapeutic needs may also make group ketamine therapy less suitable than individual treatment.

At New York Integrative Psychiatry, every prospective patient completes a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation before beginning care. This assessment reviews mental health history, current symptoms, medical factors, and treatment goals to determine whether ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is appropriate and, if so, whether an individual or group treatment model is the best fit.

If ketamine therapy is not recommended, our team will discuss other evidence-based treatment options and next steps to help ensure care remains aligned with each person's safety, well-being, and long-term therapeutic goals.