How Klarity physicians evaluate adolescents for ketamine-assisted therapy, the infusion cadence families can expect, and the safety measures that keep every series closely monitored.
Why teens reach Klarity
Families typically arrive at Klarity after two or more medication trials, months of therapy, or hospitalization have failed to unlock sustainable progress. We see adolescents wrestling with severe depressive episodes, school refusal, self-harm ideation, and trauma-linked anxiety that no longer responds to conventional care. Ketamine is never a first-line intervention; it is a precision tool we consider when there is a clear medical history, committed family support, and a collaborative outpatient team ready to help with integration.
Our evaluation framework
The adolescent pathway begins with a multi-disciplinary consult that includes psychiatry, anesthesia, and psychology perspectives. Every candidate receives:
- Comprehensive chart review covering prior medications, therapy notes, lab panels, and neuropsychological testing.
- Family readiness assessment that gauges home stability, caregiver participation, and the ability to complete integration assignments between infusions.
- Safety screening for cardiovascular health, substance use, eating disorders, or conditions that may be exacerbated by dissociation.
Set clear intentions
Teens who can articulate their goals—even if it is simply “I want to feel okay getting out of bed”—tend to navigate the experience with more agency. We coach families to define success markers together before we schedule the first infusion.
Inside the infusion series
A standard Klarity course includes six IV infusions delivered over two weeks, each tailored to the teen’s weight, symptom profile, and cardiovascular response. Sessions unfold in private suites equipped with ambient lighting, noise control, and somatic tools that keep the nervous system grounded. Continuous monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation allows our anesthesia team to adjust the infusion rate in real time.
Between sessions, families receive structured prompts to reinforce insights, track mood data, and flag side effects. Teens also meet with Klarity integration coaches—clinicians trained to convert the neuroplastic “open window” into pragmatic behavioral shifts that align with their school, social, and family environments.
What families notice
The majority of parents report improved sleep, reduced emotional volatility, and re-engagement with school or hobbies after the fourth infusion. Because we pair ketamine with ongoing therapy and, when appropriate, medication optimization, we are able to extend gains beyond the initial eight-week arc. Every milestone is logged in Klarity’s measurement-based care dashboard so the broader care team can course-correct early if symptoms re-emerge.
Ongoing support
After the induction series, Klarity physicians and therapists collaborate on a maintenance plan that may include at-home ketamine lozenges, booster infusions, neurofeedback, or nutrition support. Families receive guidance on early warning signs and are encouraged to schedule check-ins every 60–90 days. Our goal is always to help adolescents feel ready to transition back to their primary outpatient team with renewed resilience, not to create lifelong dependence on the clinic.
Key takeaways for caregivers
- Ketamine should be reserved for teens with documented treatment resistance and strong caregiver participation.
- Success is tied to measurement-based tracking, integration coaching, and close coordination with therapists and psychiatrists.
- Families should expect a two-week induction series, diligent monitoring, and an individualized maintenance plan that sustains gains without over-reliance on infusions.