As conversations around mental health continue to evolve, so does the way we approach healing. For many individuals navigating depression, anxiety, PTSD, or emotional burnout, traditional talk therapy has long been a cornerstone of care. But for some, progress can feel slow—or even stalled. A growing body of research and clinical experience is pointing to a complementary approach: ketamine therapy, used alongside talk therapy, to support both the mind and the brain in the healing process.

Healing the Brain, Supporting the Mind

Ketamine works differently from many traditional mental health medications. Instead of focusing solely on serotonin, it interacts with the brain’s glutamate system, which is important for learning, memory, and communication between brain cells. This may help the brain form new connections and pathways—a process called neuroplasticity. In other words, ketamine can help the brain become more adaptable. In medical settings, ketamine is given through a carefully controlled IV infusion so providers can monitor its effects and adjust the dose as needed. Ketamine is a psychedelic medicine. Although it’s getting renewed attention for mental health, it’s not new—doctors have safely used ketamine in hospitals, especially for anesthesia, for decades. For people stuck in cycles of negative thinking or emotional distress, this increased flexibility can feel like a shift, creating new space for change. Many patients describe a sense of relief or mental clarity after treatment. While everyone’s experience is different, ketamine can help open the door to making more progress in therapy.

While ketamine therapy can help initiate change, lasting transformation often comes through integration—the process of making sense of new insights and applying them to everyday life. This is where talk therapy becomes essential. Therapists support people in making sense of their experiences, becoming more resilient, and turning insights into lasting personal growth. Over time, this can help not just with feeling better day-to-day but also with building a deeper sense of self and emotional health.

A More Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health

Combining ketamine therapy with traditional talk therapy shows how mental health care is changing. The focus isn’t just on fixing symptoms, but on helping people heal as a whole—body, mind, and emotions. At Dérive Health, this approach is carried out in a calm, spa-like clinical environment, with a focus on safety, personalization, and collaboration with each patient’s existing therapist. With locations in Charlotte and Pinehurst, North Carolina, the clinic offers ketamine therapy and NAD+ therapy for individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, PTSD, burnout, and brain fog.

Dr. Jonathan Leake is Co-Founder and Medical Director of Hydrate Medical and Dérive Health with multiple locations in the Carolinas. For more information, visit HydrateMedical.com and DeriveHealth.com.