What is Spravato®?
Spravato® is an FDA-approved treatment for treatment-resistant depression. It works differently than traditional antidepressants, helping the brain create new pathways and patterns—sometimes more rapidly than other approaches.
Unlike traditional antidepressants, which often take weeks to build effect, Spravato® can begin working more quickly for some individuals—sometimes creating a shift in mood, perspective, or emotional access within a shorter timeframe.
Who Is Spravato® For?
Spravato may be appropriate if you:
- Have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder
- Have tried two or more antidepressant medications without sufficient relief
- Feel stuck, despite engaging in therapy or other healing work
- Are seeking a more experiential, integrative approach to mental health care
- Need to utilize health insurance
All patients complete a comprehensive screening process to ensure safety and appropriateness.
Our Unique Approach to Spravato®
Many clinics offer Spravato® as a medical procedure. We provide Spravato® within a therapeutic container that includes preparation, support during the experience, and integration afterward—so what opens in treatment can take root in your life. Our model includes:
The Medicine
Spravato® stimulates brain growth and cognitive flexibility. Spravato® is a clinically supervised treatment that works rapidly in the brain to support mood regulation, often when traditional medications haven’t been effective.
A Group-Based Experience
Spravato® is offered in a small, supportive group setting, allowing for shared humanity, reduced isolation, and a deeper sense of connection.
Integration-Focused Care
We emphasize what happens after the medicine experience—through reflection, somatic awareness, and meaning-making.
Trauma-Informed, Non-Pathologizing Approach
Your symptoms are not seen as failures—they are adaptations. We work with the nervous system, not against it.
This holistic approach ensures you receive the full benefits of Spravato®, creating meaningful and lasting outcomes.
What to Expect
Each Spravato® session is thoughtfully structured to ensure maximum comfort and effectiveness. Here’s what a typical session looks like:
Before Treatment
- Comprehensive assessment and medical clearance
- Insurance verification and prior authorization
- Preparation and orientation to the experience
During a Session (Approximately 2.5 – 3 Hours)
- Self-administration of Spravato® nasal spray under medical supervision
- A quiet, supported inward experience
- Curated playlists to support the process
- Gentle guidance available, with space for reflection or rest
- A quiet, supported inward experience
- Ongoing monitoring by licensed clinical staff
Experiences may include:
- A sense of inward focus or altered perception
- Emotional release or increased access to feelings
- Shifts in perspective or insight
- Each experience is unique. There is no “right way” to do this work.
After Treatment
- A monitored recovery period
- Time to gently reorient
- Integration support through conversation, reflection, or group process
- Patients are not able to drive after sessions and must arrange transportation.
Safety and Medical Oversight
Spravato® is administered in accordance with the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program.
Your care includes:
- Ongoing monitoring of vital signs
- Supervision by licensed medical and clinical providers
- A structured, supportive environment designed for both physical and emotional safety
Cost and Insurance
Spravato® treatment is often covered by insurance for individuals who meet criteria, though prior authorization is typically required.
We are in-network with BCBS, Optum/United, Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, and VA Community Care Network.
Coverage may include:
- Medication and medical monitoring
- Group therapy
Additional services (such as psychiatric visits, individual therapy or integration support) may vary depending on your plan.
Our team will help guide you through benefits verification and cost expectations prior to starting treatment.
What is the difference between Spravato® and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?
Two pathways. One intention: meaningful, lasting healing.
At Widening Circles, we offer both Spravato® and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) as part of our integrative approach to mental health care.
While both treatments work with similar neurobiological pathways, the experience, structure, and therapeutic container are different.
This chart can help you understand which approach may be the best fit for you.
At a Glance
| Spravato® (Esketamine) | Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) | |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Approval | FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression | Off-label use of ketamine in psychotherapy |
| Insurance Coverage | Often covered with prior authorization | Typically self-pay |
| Setting | Small group, medically supervised | Individual or small group (varies) |
| Medication Form | Nasal spray (self-administered in clinic) | Intramuscular (IM) or other routes |
| Therapeutic Intensity | Moderate, supportive | Deeper, more immersive |
| Focus | Symptom relief + integration | Transformational process + integration |
| Length of Sessions | ~2–3 hours | ~2 hours (plus prep + integration) |
Spravato®: Structured, Supported, Accessible
Spravato® offers a medically structured pathway for individuals experiencing treatment-resistant depression.
It is often a good fit if you:
- Want a treatment that is insurance-accessible
- Prefer a gentler, more gradual experience
- Are looking for support with symptom relief and stabilization
- Feel comfort in a group-based, shared setting
At Widening Circles, Spravato is more than a medical intervention—it is held within a therapeutic, relational container, with attention to integration and meaning-making.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP): Deep, Experiential, Transformational
KAP is a more immersive therapeutic experience, combining ketamine with intentional psychotherapy.
It may be a better fit if you:
- Are seeking deeper emotional or psychological exploration
- Feel ready for a more inward, non-ordinary experience
- Want to work directly with trauma, patterns, or core beliefs
- Are able to engage in a self-pay, high-touch model of care
KAP sessions are typically more individualized and therapeutically intensive, with a strong emphasis on preparation and integration.
How They’re Similar
Both Spravato® and KAP:
- Support neuroplasticity and new ways of thinking and feeling
- Can help shift patterns when other treatments haven’t worked
- Are most effective when combined with integration and ongoing care
- Are offered within a trauma-informed, nonjudgmental environment at Widening Circles
How They Feel Different
While each person’s experience is unique:
- Spravato® tends to be gentler, more contained, and gradual
- KAP tends to be deeper, more immersive, and insight-oriented
Neither is “better”—they are simply different doorways into healing.
Choosing the Right Fit
Some individuals begin with Spravato® and later transition to KAP.
Others know they are ready for a deeper, more intensive experience from the start.
We’re here to help you explore:
- Your goals
- Your clinical history
- Your readiness for different levels of intensity
- Practical considerations like cost and schedule
Our Approach: Integration Matters Most
Regardless of the path you choose, we believe:
The medicine opens the door.
Integration is what allows change to take root.
Through somatic awareness, reflection, creative expression, and relational support, we help you translate your experience into meaningful shifts in your life.
Not Sure Where to Start?
You don’t have to decide on your own.
→ Schedule a Consultation
→ Connect with Our Admissions Team
We’ll help you find the path that meets you where you are.