The State of the Ketamine Sector

I’ve been personally involved in behavioral health and psychedelic-assisted therapy, for quite some time, especially on the business development side.  I’ve always believed that understanding the provider landscape is crucial to navigate meaningful business and humanistic outcomes. It’s important collectively to know where we are at. Ideally, we find like-minded souls and work together to help others, which ultimately helps to heal the world.

At Advaya, we recently conducted a Ketamine Provider Survey, in partnership with Psytelligence.  With responses from 25 providers—80% of which are single-site practices—the survey brought to light the diversity of services offered and the wide range of conditions treated. There are  good people, doing lots of innovative work in promoting mental health and wellbeing.

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We provide Many Services, Treating Many Conditions

One thing that struck me from the survey is how varied the services offered by ketamine providers are. Nearly 70% of respondents are engaged in ketamine preparation, administration, and integration, while others also provide psychotherapy, addiction medicine, vitamin infusions, and even wellness services. This versatility is commendable, but it also introduces complexity, as practitioners must balance clinical care with operational management. It’s no wonder that marketing, business development, and clinical training emerged as critical support needs.

The conditions treated were equally diverse. All respondents are treating mental health issues, but about half are also addressing chronic pain, and 40% work with addiction and substance use disorder. What this tells me is that ketamine therapy is far from a one-size-fits-all solution—it’s a dynamic field with broad applications. Yet, despite this versatility, practitioners face an uphill battle in making their services accessible and understood by the public.

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It's too Expensive and the Public needs Balanced Information

The cost of treatment is too high and there are multiple reasons. Labor costs are high, insurance reimbursement is virtually non-existent. Given patients must cover most of the expense, ketamine therapy is virtually inaccessible for many patients who really need breakthrough therapy.

Then there’s the issue of public awareness. Ugh! Many respondents shared how difficult it is to acquire new patients, not because the demand isn’t there, but because ketamine therapy is stigmatized by media reports about ketamine abuse.  In addition, if patients don't have a media bias the may know nothing about ketamine. Also, those in the know, might struggle to grasp the value of the treatment relative to its cost.

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We need Collaboration and Community Building to Uplift the Field

Another theme that emerged from the survey is the difficulty in establishing referral networks and partnerships. As a mental health professional and community-builder, I know firsthand how crucial collaboration is to successful patient outcomes. Yet many of these ketamine providers reported challenges in forming partnerships with KAP therapists and mental health counselors.

Marketing and branding are also ongoing pain points. For those of us working in this space, it’s clear that while ketamine therapy has incredible potential, it requires more than just clinical expertise—it demands a concerted effort in business strategy, outreach, and community outreach.

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Looking Ahead: Growth, Innovation and Optimism

Despite these hurdles, the survey painted an optimistic picture of the future. Nearly 76% of providers expressed plans to expand their services in the next two years. That kind of enthusiasm is inspiring, particularly when it comes to integrating new and emerging treatments like MDMA and psilocybin into their offerings. If regulatory hurdles can be cleared. 

Providers are also eager to incorporate advanced technologies, streamline operations, and make their practices more efficient. They’re optimistic about the potential for broader insurance coverage, which would make treatments like ketamine more accessible to patients who desperately need them.

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Recommendations for the Future

Reflecting on the survey results, I’d like to drop a few key takeaways for your consideration:

  1. Let’s continue to increase pubic awareness. We need to do a better job of telling the success stories of ketamine therapy. Hearing how lives are changed through these treatments can help reduce the stigma and build trust. Real stories. Real people. Real recovery.

  2. Let’s work toward healthcare equity: Advocacy for insurance funding is essential. Without broader coverage, many patients will continue to be priced out of potentially life-saving treatments. This is an equity issue that punishes the poor and disadvantaged.

  3. Let’s work together.  As the field grows, so must the support systems for providers. Business development, financial planning, and clinical training are crucial to ensuring sustainable practices that deliver quality care.

  4. Provide quality Integration: It’s time to get serious about integration supports, such as those provided by Advaya. Psychotherapy is important. Mental health treatment is more than “Pop-a-Pill” treatment. For our individual and collective well-being, we need to move beyond the limitations of symptom reduction thinking. People need to own treatment, not ceding agency to any medicine. To truly thrive, people need people,  and we all need the conscious understanding of ourselves, if we want to truly make sense of our lives.

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Conclusion

Ketamine therapy is at a crossroads and providers are cautiously optimistic. These are exciting times. As quality providers, let's work together to foster optimum clinical outcomes and insight for individuals in need. Let’s provide additional options for the promotion of wellbeing. Advaya is committed to furthering the science of integration and excited to partner with organizations needing quality integration, business and operational support. Feel free to reach out.

For partnership opportunities, or a copy of the survey findings please reach out to info@advaya.me.

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