About Our Providers & Clinic on Long Island: A Modern Approach

Please note: We do not accept Medicaid or Medicaid managed-care plans.

In the evolving landscape of behavioral health, many residents across New York find themselves seeking alternatives when traditional medications fall short. Our ketamine clinic at Zen Integrative Care on Long Island was established to bridge the gap between conventional psychiatry and recent breakthroughs in neurobiological treatment. We recognize that mental health care in 2026 requires a more nuanced (Modern mental health care requires a more personalized and evidence-based approach), personalized approach than the “one-size-fits-all” methodology of previous decades. Our mission is to provide a safe, medically supervised environment where patients can explore the transformative potential of ketamine therapy under the guidance of double board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioners.

Our clinical team is led by experienced, double board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioners specializing in comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, medication management, Spravato, and IV ketamine therapy who collaborate with consulting medical providers; all procedures and continuous monitoring are performed by our nurse practitioners. We emphasize an integrative care philosophy, meaning we do not view ketamine as a standalone miracle cure, but rather as a powerful catalyst within a broader therapeutic framework. By collaborating closely with your existing primary care doctor or therapist, we ensure that your treatment journey is cohesive, monitored, and aligned with your long-term wellness goals.

Choosing a ketamine clinic at Zen Integrative Care on Long Island is a significant decision that requires trust in the clinical team’s expertise. Our facility is designed to prioritize patient comfort and safety, moving away from the sterile, cold atmosphere of traditional hospitals toward a serene, healing-centric environment. Whether you are navigating treatment-resistant depression, severe anxiety, or

Whether you are navigating treatment-resistant depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, or another complex mental health condition, our providers are dedicated to helping you reclaim your quality of life through evidence-based protocols that are grounded in the latest clinical research.

How It Works

Ketamine operates through a biological mechanism that is fundamentally different from traditional antidepressant medications like SSRIs or SNRIs. While most conventional antidepressants target the monoamine system—specifically serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine—ketamine works on the glutamate system, which is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. By acting as an NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor antagonist, ketamine triggers a cascade of events that promotes the release of other molecules, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

This process is often described as a “reset” for the brain’s neural pathways. Over time, chronic stress and mental health conditions can lead to the thinning of synaptic connections between neurons, particularly in areas of the brain responsible for mood regulation and cognitive function. Research indicates that ketamine helps to repair these damaged connections, a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. By facilitating the growth of new synapses, ketamine allows the brain to bypass old, maladaptive patterns of thinking and feeling, offering patients a fresh perspective and rapid relief from debilitating symptoms.

The experience of receiving ketamine is typically described by patients at our ketamine clinic at Zen Integrative Care on Long Island as a dissociative state. During this period, the brain enters a highly plastic state where the usual rigid barriers of the “ego” or “self” may soften. This window of heightened neuroplasticity provides a unique opportunity for psychological growth. When administered in a controlled medical setting, the physiological effects of the medicine work in tandem with the supportive environment to create a foundation for lasting emotional and cognitive change.

Who Is This Treatment For?

Ketamine therapy is primarily indicated for individuals who have tried multiple front-line treatments without achieving significant or lasting relief. Our providers conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if a patient’s medical history and current symptoms make them a suitable candidate for this approach. While it is most well-known for treating mood disorders, its applications have expanded as our understanding of neurobiology has deepened.

• Treatment-Resistant Depression: Individuals who have not seen improvement after trying two or more different types of antidepressant medications.
• Major Depressive Disorder with Suicidality: Patients requiring rapid intervention for acute depressive episodes or frequent thoughts of self-harm.
• Generalized Anxiety and PTSD: Those struggling with the hyper-vigilance, intrusive thoughts, and emotional numbness associated with trauma and chronic anxiety.
• Bipolar Depression: Patients currently in a depressive phase of Bipolar Disorder who have not responded to standard mood stabilizers.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Individuals looking for relief from repetitive thoughts and behaviors that have proven resistant to standard behavioral therapies.
• Post-partum Depression

What the Research Says

The use of ketamine for mental health is supported by a growing body of peer-reviewed literature from some of the world’s most prestigious medical institutions. Research conducted by Yale University and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has historically highlighted ketamine’s ability to produce rapid-acting antidepressant effects, often within hours (often producing symptom improvement within hours to days in some patients) of administration. These studies have paved the way for a shift in how the medical community views the treatment of chronic mood disorders, moving from daily oral medications to intermittent, high-impact clinical interventions.

Furthermore, clinical trials at institutions like Johns Hopkins have explored the long-term durability of ketamine’s effects when combined with integrative therapy. The evidence suggests that while ketamine can provide immediate relief, the most profound and lasting results occur when it is used as part of a comprehensive care plan. Our ketamine clinic at Zen Integrative Care on Long Island adheres to these evidence-based findings, ensuring that our protocols reflect the safety and efficacy standards established by the global research community (current clinical literature). We continuously monitor new data to refine our approach and provide the highest level of care to our patients.

What to Expect at Our Clinic

Your journey at our ketamine clinic at Zen Integrative Care on Long Island begins with an in-depth consultation. During this initial meeting, we review your medical history, psychological background, and previous treatment experiences. This is an opportunity for you to ask questions and for our team to tailor a treatment plan specifically for you. We serve patients across Nassau and Suffolk Counties, providing a central location that is easily accessible for those throughout the Island seeking specialized care.

On the day of your treatment, you will be settled into a private, comfortable room designed to minimize external stimuli. Our medical staff will continuously monitor oxygen saturation, blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rhythm throughout the session to ensure your safety and comfort. Most sessions last between 40 to 60 minutes, followed by a recovery period where you can slowly return to a fully alert state. We recommend that patients engage in “integration” following their sessions—a process of reflecting on the experience and incorporating new insights into their daily lives, often with the help of a therapist.

Safety, Screening, and Side Effects

Safety is the cornerstone of everything we do. Before any treatment begins, every patient undergoes a rigorous medical screening to rule out contraindications such as uncontrolled hypertension or certain pre-existing cardiac conditions. We provide continuous monitoring by trained medical professionals during every administration to manage any physiological changes in real-time. While ketamine is generally well-tolerated, it is a powerful anesthetic agent that must be handled with professional care.

• Dissociation: A temporary feeling of being “detached” from one’s body or environment.
• Dizziness or Nausea: Mild lightheadedness which can usually be managed with anti-nausea medication if necessary.
• Increased Heart Rate or Blood Pressure: Short-term elevations that typically return to baseline shortly after the session.
• Blurred Vision: Temporary changes in visual perception that resolve as the medication wears off.
• Fatigue: A feeling of tiredness or “heaviness” immediately following the treatment.

Our clinical protocols are designed to mitigate these side effects, ensuring that the experience is as predictable and comfortable as possible. We maintain a strict focus on “set and setting,” ensuring that your mental state and your surroundings are optimized for a positive outcome.

Insurance, Cost, and Next Steps

Navigating the financial aspects of mental health care can be complex, and we are committed to transparency regarding our fees. For patients seeking Spravato (esketamine), we work with many in-network insurance plans to help cover the costs of the medication and clinical supervision. For IV ketamine infusions, which are currently considered “off-label” by many insurance carriers, we provide clear self-pay pricing and can supply superbills for potential out-of-network reimbursement.

To make treatment more accessible, we offer financing options through CareCredit, allowing patients to manage the cost of their care through flexible monthly payments. Our administrative team is available to help you understand your coverage and explore the best financial path forward. The first step toward healing is a free, no-obligation consultation where we can discuss your needs and determine if our ketamine clinic at Zen Integrative Care on Long Island is the right fit for your recovery journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schedule Your Consultation

Taking the first step toward a new mental health perspective is a courageous move. If you are ready to explore how our ketamine clinic at Zen Integrative Care on Long Island can support your journey toward wellness, our team is here to guide you through every stage of the process. We invite you to contact us today to learn more about our providers, our facility, and our commitment to compassionate, evidence-based care.