Spravato Therapy for Depression in Los Angeles

At Golden Afternoon Clinic in Santa Monica, all Spravato sessions are overseen by Dr. Jenn or one of her trained nurse practitioners, ensuring compassionate care, medical safety, and a calm, supportive experience.

Spravato is administered in-office only, under medical supervision, and is covered by many major insurance plans.

What Is Spravato®?

Spravato is a prescription nasal spray containing esketamine, a form of ketamine that works differently from standard antidepressants.

While traditional medications often take weeks to show benefit, Spravato® can begin improving symptoms within hours to days, making it an important option for those who haven’t found relief elsewhere.

Spravato® can be used alongside an oral antidepressant and administered in a certified medical office under the FDA’s REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) program.

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How Spravato® Works in the Brain

Spravato® functions through the glutamate system, helping the brain form new neural connections through increased neuroplasticity.

Research shows esketamine can:

Regulate mood circuits disrupted by long-term depression
Increase synaptic activity
Interrupt negative thought loops
Improve emotional resilience
Reduce suicidal thoughts

This mechanism is different from SSRIs, which target serotonin, and may offer relief when other treatments have failed.

Who Is Spravato® For?

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Spravato® may be right for you if you have:

Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD): failure of two or more antidepressants
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with suicidal ideation
Difficulty functioning due to persistent depressive symptoms
Limited response to therapy, SSRIs, SNRIs, or other medications

Our team will help determine whether Spravato® or IV ketamine—also available at Golden Afternoon—is a better fit for your goals and medical history.

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What to Expect During a Spravato® Treatment Session

Initial Consultation

Dr. Jenn will meet with you to discuss your medical history, your medications, and your depression to determine if Spravato® is the right treatment for you. This visit will be covered under your insurance (subject to copay and co-insurance).

Ensure you are safe medically for this treatment

Make sure you have an understanding of Spravato® therapy

Initiate pre-authorization with your insurance company, and apply for support and discounts through Spravato® With Me.

Your In-Office Session

The most important aspect of having a good experience is to ensure that you are comfortable. We will guide you to one of our rooms: Amethyst, Malachite, Topaz, or Turquoise. You can get comfortable with your adjustable, zero-gravity chair, and settle in for your 2-hour session. During this step, we will:

Ensure your comfort with blankets and eye mask

Help you choose one a music playlists from our extensive music library

Set you up for optimal comfort and to monitor your vitals to ensure safety

The Treatment Itself

Spravato® sessions take about 2–2.5 hours and are conducted in a comfortable private room. You will be given two self-administered intranasal doses in succession, then lay back and relax. During your treatment, you may experience many things. Some report feeling extremely relaxed or "floating" feelings. The music will likely sound different from normal. You may experience visual effects. Your subconscious will be your guide. You may not be aware, but we will be watching you to ensure everything is going fine.

Spravato treatments last ~2 hours.

We monitor your vital signs and sedation level

If you are uncomfortable, our medical staff is here to support you

Returning and Relaxing

Once your treatment is complete, you are welcome to rest and recover. We will bring you water, tea, snacks, and cookies to break your fast and help you to revitalize. When you are ready, you are welcome to go and meet your ride, or we can bring a friend or loved one to your room (you should not drive yourself home).

Per FDA guidelines, you will have 2 sessions per week for the first month.

Recovery takes 20 mins to an hour

You may feel a little tired, groggy, fuzzy or clumsy

You may have some good insights or want to take notes on your experience: this is a good time to journal (we will provide you with a notebook at your first session)

Benefits of Spravato® Treatment at Golden Afternoon Clinic

Compassionate, physician-led care

All treatments are designed and overseen by Dr. Jenn or one of her trained nurse practitioners.

Comfort-driven environment

Zero-gravity chairs, cozy blankets, aromatherapy, custom playlists, soft lighting.

Westside Los Angeles convenience

Easy access from Santa Monica, Venice, Mar Vista, Brentwood, and Culver City.

Experience across both IV Ketamine and Spravato®

We match each patient to the right modality based on science, personal preference, and clinical need.

Spravato® (Esketamine) Nasal Therapy in Los Angeles