Phone: (949)392-0159
We have expanded our service offerings to include Ketamine Assisted Therapy (KAT), also known as Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), in order to better serve our patients and the community!
What is Ketamine Assisted Therapy (KAT)?
KAT is a therapeutic approach that combines the use of ketamine therapy with traditional talk therapy to enhance the treatment of mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many patients gain new perspectives on old problems, access repressed memories in a safe space, as well as process emotions differently during and beyond their ketamine treatment sessions.
Alyssa, our Ketamine Assisted Therapist, works with patients in the days immediately surrounding their infusion to help them interpret and integrate these insights into their everyday mental framework. Patients will continue to experience IV ketamine therapy in the same way they always have, but now they can further support their psychological growth and healing with Ketamine Assisted Therapy.
KAT can support an enhanced experience that typically takes much longer to achieve with traditional therapy alone. Patients often report rapid improvements in mood, decreased anxiety, and a new sense of hope and well-being.
When a patient has completed their sessions with the Ketamine Assisted Therapist, they should continue therapy with their regular therapist. This continued care is a key element in the pathway to better health.
To learn more about KAT or to make an appointment with Alyssa Sanders, LCSW, our Ketamine Assisted Therapist, call 949.392.0159.
"I am motivated by the victories of my patients over their everyday struggles and care deeply about their successes. I offer a welcoming space to my clients where they can feel accepted and free to share their stories without fear of judgment."
Iris Mejia, RN, is a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Hawaii Maui College. With 21 years of experience as a Labor and Delivery nurse, she developed a keen interest in mental health nursing. Her firsthand experience with ketamine infusion therapy led her to pursue her passion in this field.
Iris is dedicated to helping patients achieve their optimal well-being through compassionate care and evidence-based practices.
Outside of work, Iris enjoys practicing yoga, traveling, and spending quality time with her family.
Susan DeRobertis, BSN, BSN, PMHRN-BC, is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Registered Nurse and holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Cal State Fullerton.
Susan’s commitment to mental health and wellness is driven by a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those struggling with mood disorders. Having witnessed firsthand the limitations of traditional therapies for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mood and chronic pain disorders, she is an advocate of ketamine infusion therapy as a transformative treatment option. Susan is passionate about supporting individuals and their families through their mental health journeys and continues to be excited when she sees firsthand the positive changes that ketamine therapy can bring.
Over the past decade, Susan has dedicated herself to providing care at the Mental Health and Wellness Institute at Mission Hospital Laguna Beach. She is also a nursing instructor at the University of California, Irvine.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Susan is a devoted mother, a talented musician, and an avid live music fan. She finds joy in spending quality time with her daughters, traveling, and attending concerts.
