Spravato® (Esketamine) — FDA-approved relief for treatment-resistant depression.
An in-office nasal spray treatment that works when antidepressants haven't. Covered by most PPO insurance plans. Administered right here in Port Chester, NY.
An in-office nasal spray treatment that works when antidepressants haven't. Covered by most PPO insurance plans. Administered right here in Port Chester, NY.
Spravato® (esketamine) is an FDA-approved prescription nasal spray for adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) — meaning depression that hasn't improved after trying at least two different antidepressant medications.
Unlike traditional antidepressants, which work by adjusting serotonin or dopamine levels and can take weeks to produce any effect, Spravato targets the brain's glutamate system — triggering new neural connections and producing relief that many patients begin to feel within hours of their first session.
It is the only FDA-approved esketamine treatment of its kind, and as of January 2025, it is also approved as a standalone therapy — meaning it can be prescribed without requiring a concurrent oral antidepressant. PMC Psychedelic is a certified Spravato treatment center, and every session is administered and monitored on-site by our clinical team.
Most antidepressants work by adjusting the levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine in the brain — chemical messengers that influence mood. They can take 4–6 weeks to show results, and for many patients with treatment-resistant depression, they never produce sufficient relief at all.
Spravato works differently. It targets NMDA receptors in the brain's glutamate system — the brain's primary excitatory pathway. This triggers a rapid release of glutamate and the growth of new synaptic connections, essentially giving the brain a pathway it can use to regulate mood more effectively. This process, called neuroplasticity, is what produces the faster and more durable improvements that patients experience.
Think of it as resetting a circuit rather than trying to raise a signal level. For patients who've spent years trying to find relief the traditional way, that reset can be genuinely life-changing.
We know two hours twice a week sounds like a significant commitment. But for most patients, it's the shortest path to the longest-lasting relief they've ever experienced. Here's how the schedule is structured:
| Phase | Frequency | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Induction Phase | Twice per week | Weeks 1–4. Two sessions per week, approximately 2 hours each. This is the most intensive phase — designed to establish response. |
| Continuation Phase | Once per week | Month 2. Sessions reduce to once weekly for four weeks as your response stabilizes. |
| Maintenance Phase | As needed | Ongoing. Frequency is determined collaboratively based on how long your improvement lasts. Many patients continue monthly or bi-monthly. |
Each session is approximately two hours. You'll self-administer the nasal spray under the direct supervision of our clinical team, then rest comfortably in our treatment room for the monitoring period. You cannot drive yourself home after a session — please arrange a ride or plan for transportation in advance.
Spravato's results are backed by more than a decade of clinical research and real-world data from over 140,000 patients worldwide. Here's what the evidence shows for ketamine-based treatments, including Spravato:
Patient improvement rate for depression & anxiety
Time to first noticeable relief for many patients
Patients treated with Spravato worldwide
Approved — the only esketamine treatment of its kind
Results vary by individual. The 75–83% improvement rate reflects outcomes across ketamine modalities including Spravato for treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. We use the word "improvement" intentionally — psychedelic medicine does not cure depression, but it has helped a significant majority of our patients experience meaningful, lasting relief where other treatments have not.
The best way to find out if you qualify is to request a consult. Dr. Rueda's team will review your full medical history, discuss your treatment goals, and determine whether Spravato is the right fit before recommending anything.
Spravato is covered by most major PPO insurance plans — and we handle the verification process for you before your first appointment. Because we operate as an out-of-network provider, most of our patients pay nothing out of pocket for their sessions.
Here's why: when you receive care from an in-network provider, you're subject to their copays, deductibles, and fee schedules. As an out-of-network PPO provider, PMC operates outside those contracts — which often means the math works out significantly in the patient's favor. We've structured our billing to minimize what you're responsible for.
Many patients tell us that knowing what to expect before their first session makes a meaningful difference in how comfortable they feel walking in. Here's a straightforward walkthrough of a typical appointment:
A brief check-in with our clinical team. Blood pressure is checked before every session per FDA protocol.
You'll administer the nasal spray yourself in a comfortable recliner, under direct supervision of our clinical team.
You'll rest comfortably for approximately two hours. Our team monitors you throughout. You cannot drive yourself home.
Clinical trials show improvement rates of 70% or higher in patients with treatment-resistant depression. At PMC, our patient outcomes align with that range. We use the word "improvement" rather than "cure" — psychedelic medicine is not a guaranteed fix, but it has produced meaningful, lasting relief for a large majority of our patients who had not responded to other treatments.
Most PPO insurance plans cover Spravato. We verify your coverage before your first appointment at no cost to you. HMO plans are not accepted. Call us or submit an insurance check request to get a clear answer specific to your plan.
Each session is approximately two hours. During that time, you'll self-administer the nasal spray under supervision, then rest while our clinical team monitors you. You should plan for the full two hours and arrange a ride home — you cannot drive for the remainder of the day after a session.
The standard induction phase is two sessions per week for four weeks (eight sessions total). After that, most patients move to once weekly for a month, then to a maintenance schedule based on how long their improvement holds. Many patients continue treatment on a monthly or bi-monthly basis long-term.
Yes. Spravato was originally approved as an add-on to oral antidepressants and is now also approved as a standalone therapy. Dr. Rueda will review your current medications and make a recommendation during your consultation.
Some patients experience a temporary dissociative sensation — a dreamlike or slightly detached feeling — during the session. This is normal and typically resolves within the two-hour monitoring period. Blood pressure is monitored throughout. The experience is different for everyone.
No referral is required to request a consult. However, if you're working with a psychiatrist or therapist, we're happy to coordinate care with your provider to ensure continuity.
After three years and four different antidepressants, I was starting to believe nothing would ever work. Spravato changed that. I noticed a real difference after my third session — a kind of quiet in my mind I hadn't felt in years. Dr. Rueda's team made the whole process feel completely safe and supported.
The first step is a consultation with Dr. Rueda's team. We'll review your medical history, check your PPO insurance coverage, and give you a clear picture of what treatment would look like for you — before you commit to anything.
PMC Psychedelic · 25 South Regent Street, Port Chester, NY 10573 · Serving Westchester & Fairfield County