Ketamine Therapy for PTSD & Trauma
When trauma symptoms persist despite therapy or medication, ketamine infusion therapy may offer another path forward. Satori Health & Wellness provides medically supervised ketamine treatment for PTSD in St. George, Utah, paired with integration therapy to help process what surfaces.
24 hrs
Symptom reduction has been reported within 24 hours of the first infusion in published clinical research
67%
of patients with chronic PTSD responded to a 2-week course of ketamine infusions in a randomized controlled trial, vs. 20% with a placebo infusion
6 over 3 wks
infusions is the protocol used in the leading randomized trial for chronic PTSD
Source: Feder et al., Am J Psychiatry, 2021 & JAMA Psychiatry, 2014; Sicignano et al., 2024. These figures reflect published clinical trials, not Satori patient outcomes. Individual results vary.What PTSD Can Feel Like
If you're living with PTSD, it doesn't look the same for everyone. Some common experiences include:
Intrusive memories or flashbacks that resurface without warning
Hypervigilance, or feeling unable to relax or feel safe
Avoiding people, places, or situations that bring memories back
Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected from people you care about
Sleep disruption, nightmares, or a racing mind at night
Irritability or a short fuse that feels out of character
If several of these feel familiar, especially after trying standard treatment, it may be worth exploring other options.
Why Patients Consider Ketamine for PTSD
Standard PTSD treatment has real limits. Only two medications, sertraline and paroxetine, are FDA-approved specifically for PTSD, and roughly a third of people don't get adequate relief from them. Trauma-focused therapies such as EMDR, prolonged exposure, and cognitive processing therapy help many people, but they take time, require sustained engagement, and aren't a fit for everyone.
Ketamine has emerged as an option some patients explore when these standard approaches haven't been enough. It isn't a replacement for therapy or psychiatric care, but a different tool that may open a window for relief and for deeper therapeutic work.
What Does the Research Show About Ketamine for PTSD?
Research on ketamine for PTSD is still developing, but several controlled studies point in a promising direction. The strongest evidence comes from repeated infusions in chronic PTSD, not single doses, and researchers are clear that more study is needed before ketamine becomes a standard, first-line treatment.
In a randomized controlled trial of adults with chronic PTSD, 67% of those who received six ketamine infusions over two weeks met response criteria (at least a 30% reduction in symptom severity), compared with 20% of those who received a placebo infusion. Among people who responded, the improvement lasted a median of about four weeks before symptoms began to return, which is one reason an ongoing care plan matters more than a single session.
A separate 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis found that ketamine was associated with significantly lower PTSD symptom scores compared with control treatments at several points in the days and weeks after treatment.
Not every study agrees on how large that benefit is, and some reviews report more modest effects once study quality and bias are accounted for. Ketamine is not currently recommended as a first-line PTSD treatment by major clinical guidelines; it is generally considered for adults who haven't found sufficient relief through standard care, following an individualized clinical evaluation.
Ketamine itself is FDA-approved as an anesthetic. Its use for PTSD, like its use for depression, is considered off-label, meaning it's prescribed based on clinical judgment and emerging evidence rather than a PTSD-specific FDA approval.
What Treatment May Involve
Initial Consultation
We talk through your history, symptoms, and goals, and discuss whether ketamine therapy may be appropriate for you.
Medical & Psychological Screening
A clinical evaluation confirms candidacy and rules out conditions that would make ketamine unsafe for you.
Ketamine Infusion Series
Monitored IV infusions delivered one-on-one in a private room, typically as a series rather than a single session.
Integration Therapy
Structured sessions with a therapist to help process and make sense of what surfaces during and after infusions.
Follow-Up & Maintenance Planning
Ongoing check-ins to track your progress and plan further sessions if you and your care team decide they're needed.
Why Choose Satori
Southern Utah's original integrated ketamine clinic
IV infusions delivered one-on-one in a private room, not a shared treatment chair
Integration therapy built into care, not offered as an afterthought
Clinical team led by Cory Thompson, NP and Kaia Jackman, NP, under Medical Director Dr. Dan Cotoi
Personalized, unhurried care for patients who have often tried several other things first
Is Ketamine Right for You?
Ketamine is not appropriate for everyone, and a careful intake process helps confirm it's the right fit. Here is a general overview; this is not a substitute for clinical evaluation.
May be a stronger candidate if you have:
A PTSD or trauma-related diagnosis from a licensed clinician
Tried at least one medication or evidence-based therapy without adequate relief
Stable overall medical health
A support person available for travel to and from sessions
Willingness to engage in integration work alongside infusions
A desire to complement, not replace, ongoing therapy or psychiatric care
May need to explore other options first if you have:
Active or unstable psychosis or schizophrenia
Uncontrolled hypertension or certain cardiovascular conditions
Active substance use disorder
Certain medication interactions requiring clinical review
Pregnancy
Your Questions, Answered-
Research suggests ketamine infusions may help reduce PTSD symptoms such as intrusive memories, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness for some adults, particularly those who haven't found adequate relief through medication or trauma-focused therapy. It is not a guaranteed treatment and works differently for each person.
-
Ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic, not specifically for PTSD. Its use for PTSD is considered off-label, meaning clinicians prescribe it based on clinical judgment and available research rather than a condition-specific approval. Satori's clinical team discusses this directly during your consultation.
-
A 2021 randomized controlled trial found that 67% of patients with chronic PTSD responded to a two-week course of ketamine infusions, compared with 20% who received a placebo infusion. A 2024 systematic review found similar symptom reductions across several studies, though researchers note the evidence is still developing and not every study shows the same size of benefit.
-
Most published research on PTSD studied a series of infusions, commonly six infusions over about two weeks, rather than a single treatment. Your specific protocol at Satori is determined individually based on your evaluation and response.
-
In the leading clinical trial, people who responded to treatment saw benefits last a median of about four weeks before symptoms began returning. This is why an ongoing care plan, rather than a one-time infusion, tends to be part of a realistic treatment approach.
-
Adults with a PTSD or trauma-related diagnosis who haven't found adequate relief from medication or therapy, and who are medically stable, may be candidates. Certain conditions, including active psychosis, uncontrolled cardiovascular issues, active substance use disorder, and pregnancy, generally rule someone out. A clinical evaluation at Satori determines candidacy individually.
-
Yes. Satori pairs ketamine infusions with integration therapy, structured sessions with a therapist that help you process and make sense of what surfaces during treatment. This combination approach, rather than infusions alone, reflects how Satori has approached ketamine care since opening.