Phone: (949)392-0159
This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re shining a spotlight on a groundbreaking treatment offering new hope to individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more: ketamine therapy.
Mental health struggles often leave individuals feeling isolated and hopeless, particularly when traditional treatments haven’t provided relief. Ketamine therapy, however, has emerged as a transformative option, demonstrating rapid and significant relief for many patients, even those who have not responded to conventional methods.
How does it work? Ketamine interacts with NMDA receptors in the brain, facilitating new neural connections and rapidly alleviating symptoms. Paired with therapeutic guidance, ketamine treatments can help individuals process emotions, break negative thought patterns, and foster profound personal insights.
Despite its promising outcomes, stigma surrounding ketamine therapy still exists due to misunderstandings and lack of awareness. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re committed to changing that narrative. By openly discussing innovative treatments, we not only educate and inform but also empower individuals to explore options that can truly change their lives.
Together, let’s break down barriers, erase stigma, and reclaim hope for those who need it most. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to learn more about the transformative potential of ketamine therapy.
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, 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.
