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Depression Treatment in Los Angeless 

Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles (KCLA) offers adult PTSD care through psychiatric evaluation, medication management, IV Ketamine, and coordination with trauma-focused therapists. We also assess selected additional interventional options and treatment for co-occurring depression when appropriate.

Your plan starts with your diagnosis, treatment history, safety, and goals. You do not need to choose a medication or procedure before contacting us.

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Your free phone consultation is with a care coordinator about appointments, fit, and payment. Clinical evaluation and treatment are separate services.
Adults 18+
Los Angeles Appointments
California Telehealth Psychiatry

Is KCLA a good fit for your depression care?

We see adults with depression affecting work, relationships, sleep, motivation, or enjoyment of life. An evaluation can help if you want diagnostic clarity, need a medication review, or haven't seen benefit or have had difficult side effects from prior treatment.

KCLA provides scheduled outpatient care. Psychosis or inability to stay safe may require urgent assessment or hospital care. Call 911 for immediate danger; call or text 988 for a suicidal or emotional crisis.

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Compare depression treatment options

The right choice depends on the type of depression and your needs. This display order is not a required treatment sequence.

Option Where it may fit Main consideration
Medication Many depressive disorders, alone or with therapy. Follow-up assesses benefit, side effects, and interactions.
IV Ketamine Most forms of depression, including treatment-resistant depression. Off-label for depression; in-person monitoring and a ride home are required.
TMS Qualifying major depressive disorder after insufficient response to antidepressant treatment. FDA-cleared, noninvasive treatment involving repeated clinic visits.
Spravato Specific adult depression indications after eligibility review. FDA-approved esketamine with at least two hours of supervised monitoring.
Therapy Depression symptoms, coping, relationships, and behavior change. Support within psychiatry or coordination with an outside therapist.

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Depression treatment options at KCLA

Medication management

Psychiatric evaluation helps clarify whether medication should be started, continued, adjusted, or carefully reduced. Antidepressants and other strategies are selected according to your diagnosis, health, prior response, and preferences. Improvement often develops over several weeks. Follow-up checks symptoms, side effects, safety, and daily functioning. Do not stop or change medication without prescriber guidance. Most insurers provide coverage.1

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IV ketamine for depression

IV ketamine is used off-label for depression. Most patients improve quickly, while others may improve gradually or not respond. KCLA's typical initial course is six monitored infusions over two to three weeks, with each infusion lasting about 50 to 55 minutes. Your clinician individualizes the plan and reviews response. Arrange a ride home and follow driving restrictions. Ketamine Treatment is typically self-pay. Learn about IV ketamine treatment.

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TMS for depression

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) uses magnetic pulses without anesthesia. KCLA uses MagVenture technology with FDA-cleared indications for major depressive disorder after insufficient improvement with prior antidepressant medication in the current episode, including certain associated anxiety symptoms.2 Treatment requires repeated in-person sessions. The protocol and schedule are confirmed before starting. Most insurers provide coverage depending on the plan's criteria and authorization. Learn about TMS therapy.

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Spravato for depression

Spravato is esketamine nasal spray approved for treatment-resistant depression in adults, alone or with an oral antidepressant. It is also approved with an oral antidepressant for depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder and acute suicidal ideation or behavior.3 Most insurers provide coverage based on the plan's criteria and authorization requirements. Treatment requires a REMS-certified setting and at least two hours of monitoring. Arrange a ride home; do not drive until the next day after restful sleep. Spravato has not been shown to prevent suicide or reduce suicidal ideation or behavior and does not replace hospitalization when needed. Learn about Spravato treatment.

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Trauma-focused therapy and coordination

Psychotherapy can help with depressive thinking, withdrawal, relationships, and coping. Evidence-based approaches include CBT, behavioral activation, and interpersonal therapy. KCLA visits may include supportive psychotherapy. For ongoing structured therapy, we can coordinate with your existing therapist or an outside clinician.1

When antidepressants have not helped enough

Treatment-resistant depression commonly means an inadequate response to at least two adequate antidepressant trials, although definitions vary. A reassessment reviews the diagnosis, dose, and duration of prior treatment, side effects, sleep, medical contributors, and co-occurring conditions.

Your next step might be a medication adjustment, therapy, IV ketamine, TMS, or Spravato. Some severe cases warrant referral for a different level of care or evaluation for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Prior treatment failure does not mean that further care cannot help.1

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Insurance Accepted & Payment Options

KCLA accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare, for TMS, Spravato, and Psychiatric Care. Some plans may also cover IV Ketamine. Coverage varies by plan, provider, and treatment. Our team can verify your benefits and explain estimated out-of-pocket costs before you begin.

Self-pay financing options include up to 24 months interest-free, subject to eligibility and financing terms.

aetna Anthem Blue-Shield Carelon Cigna Compsych Enthea Kaiser Magellan Medicare MHN Optum Tricare TRIWEST

Understanding depression

 

Depression can cause persistent low mood or loss of interest along with changes in energy, sleep, appetite, concentration, or feelings of self-worth. Major depression generally involves symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, with meaningful distress or impairment. Evaluation is needed to establish the diagnosis. 1

Depression may be episodic, persistent, seasonal, or associated with pregnancy or the postpartum period. Genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors can contribute. Anxiety, PTSD, substance use, sleep problems, and medical conditions may also affect symptoms and treatment.

Bipolar depression requires a different approach. Tell your clinician about periods of unusually high energy, reduced need for sleep, or impulsive behavior, even if depression is your main concern. Screening questionnaires support assessment but do not replace a clinical history.

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What to expect at KCLA

1.

Discuss appointments and fit

A treatment coordinator reviews your goals, location, and questions about payment.

2.

Complete a clinical evaluation

A psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner reviews your symptoms, health, medications, prior care, and safety.

3.

Review options and costs

Understand the recommended treatment, alternatives, visit schedule, and estimated responsibility.

4.

Measure progress

Follow-up considers symptom measures, side effects, and whether daily life is improving.

Why choose KCLA for depression care

Established in 2014, KCLA brings psychiatric and interventional care together in one Los Angeles practice. You can discuss multiple treatment options, receive monitored infusion care when appropriate, and coordinate treatment with outside clinicians. Various forms of depression, including treatment-resistant depression, are the primary conditions the multidisciplinary team at KCLA focuses on. Your response helps guide the next decision.

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Your KCLA Providers
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Kathleen Lopez, MD

Psychiatrist, Double Board Certified in Adult Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Kathleen Lopez, MD

Kathleen Lopez, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in adult psychiatry as well as child and adolescent psychiatry at Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a pre-medical focus from Pacific Union College and her medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine. She completed her adult psychiatry residency at the University of California, Riverside, and a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at UCLA, where she also served as Administrative Chief.


Dr. Lopez is deeply passionate about expanding access to high-quality mental health care, with a special focus on neurodiverse youth and adults. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she is committed to providing inclusive, compassionate care that supports individuals and families in meaningful and culturally responsive ways.


She was drawn to Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles for its collaborative culture and shared commitment to patient-centered care. Outside the clinic, Dr. Lopez enjoys crocheting, weight lifting, camping, and growing her home library. She also has a background in vocal music and continues to hold a lifelong love for music.

Pascal Stirnimann, DNP, PMHNP-BC

Pascal Stirnimann, DNP, PMHNP-BC

Doctor of Nursing Practice, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Board Certified

Pascal Stirnimann, DNP, PMHNP-BC

Pascal Strinimann is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Miami and both a Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Columbia University. He specializes in treating mood disorders, trauma-related disorders, and impulse control disorders across the lifespan.


Pascal has experience in both inpatient and outpatient mental health settings, including training at a women’s shelter in New York City. His clinical background supports a comprehensive and compassionate approach to psychiatric evaluation and treatment.


He takes a holistic, family-informed approach and works closely with clients through shared decision-making to develop personalized treatment plans that support emotional health, functional improvement, and long-term wellness.  Outside the clinic, Pascal enjoys spending time outdoors biking, running, or hiking, or indoors cooking and catching up on movies and TV.

Appointments and payment

Visit KCLA at 6801 Park Terrace, Suite 525, Los Angeles, CA 90045, in Playa District. Patient care hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific. Psychiatry may be available by telehealth while you are physically in California; IV ketamine, TMS, and Spravato require clinic visits.

KCLA accepts most health insurance, which usually covers psychiatry, depending on the plan, clinician, and service. TMS or Spravato generally requires a separate qualifying diagnosis and authorization. IV ketamine for anxiety is commonly self-pay. Benefits checks and estimates do not guarantee payment.

Self-pay psychiatry is $400 for a 60-minute evaluation and $200 for a 30-minute follow-up.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know which depression treatment I want?

No. An evaluation can help you compare appropriate options based on your symptoms and treatment history.

Can I see a depression psychiatrist at KCLA?

Yes, subject to availability. Care may be with a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner.

How are IV ketamine and Spravato different?

IV ketamine is given intravenously with infinitely adjustable dosing and is used off-label for depression. Spravato is esketamine nasal spray approved for specific adult depression indications and comes in two different doses. Their schedules, monitoring requirements, efficacy, and insurance coverage differ.3

How quickly can treatment help?

Timelines vary. Daily antidepressants, TMS, and therapy generally require repeated treatment over time. Ketamine or Spravato often help patients feel better sooner.

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Find the next appropriate treatment

If depression is affecting your life or your current treatment is not helping enough, talk with our team about an evaluation and your options.

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Urgent help: KCLA is not an emergency service. Call 911 for immediate danger or a medical emergency. For suicidal or emotional crisis support in the United States, call or text 988. This page is educational; diagnosis, eligibility, and treatment require individual clinical evaluation. Results vary.

 

Medical sources

1NIMH guidance on depression and treatment
2MagVenture FDA clearances
3 Spravato prescribing information
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