What to Expect at a Ketamine Therapy Consultation

Deciding to explore ketamine therapy is a significant step. For many of my patients, it comes after months or years of trying other treatments that did not deliver the relief they needed. By the time someone reaches out to Tovani Health, they have often already done their research. They understand the basics. What they want to know is: What actually happens when I schedule a consultation?

I wrote this guide to answer that question in detail, so you know exactly what to expect before, during, and after your initial evaluation. No surprises.

Before the Consultation: The Eligibility Check

Before we schedule a consultation, we ask you to complete a brief online eligibility assessment. This is not a quiz with right or wrong answers. It is a screening tool that helps us quickly determine whether ketamine therapy might be appropriate for your situation.

The eligibility assessment takes about five minutes and asks about:

• Your primary symptoms (depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain)
• Your treatment history (medications you have tried, therapies you have done)
• Key medical history items that could affect your candidacy
• Your current medications
• Your state of residence (ketamine therapy regulations vary by state)

Once you submit this form, our medical team reviews it, usually within 24 hours. If your initial screening suggests you may be a good candidate, we will reach out to schedule your consultation.

What the Consultation Looks Like

Your consultation is a one-on-one telehealth video visit with a licensed physician. At Tovani Health, I conduct many of these personally because I believe the initial evaluation is too important to rush or delegate to an algorithm.

Here is what we cover, step by step.

Step 1: Getting to Know You

I start every consultation by simply listening. I want to understand your story, not just your symptoms. When did things start feeling hard? What have you tried? What worked partially? What made things worse?

This is not a formality. The context of your experience matters enormously when determining whether ketamine is the right tool and, if so, how to use it most effectively.

Step 2: Medical History Review

Next, we do a thorough review of your medical history. This includes:

• Psychiatric history: Previous diagnoses, hospitalizations, any history of psychosis or mania
• Current medications: Every medication you are taking, including supplements. This is critical because certain medications can interact with ketamine or reduce its effectiveness
• Medical conditions: Heart conditions, liver or kidney issues, history of substance use disorder, uncontrolled blood pressure, and other conditions that could affect your eligibility
• Previous ketamine experience: If you have had ketamine before (whether therapeutically, in an ER setting, or otherwise), that context helps me understand how you might respond

I want to be transparent about something: not everyone is a candidate for ketamine therapy. If I determine that ketamine is not safe or appropriate for you, I will tell you directly and, whenever possible, suggest alternatives. My job is to help you get better, not to sell you a treatment.

Step 3: Discussing Your Treatment Goals

This is the part of the consultation that many patients find most valuable. I ask you: If this treatment works the way you are hoping, what does your life look like in three months?

The answer helps us define clear, measurable treatment goals. Maybe it is being able to sleep through the night. Maybe it is having the energy to play with your kids after work. Maybe it is simply not waking up every morning wishing you had not.

We use these goals to track your progress over the course of treatment. They give us an objective way to know whether the therapy is working.

Step 4: Explaining the Treatment Protocol

If I determine that you are a good candidate, I will walk you through exactly how treatment works at Tovani Health. This includes:

The medication itself. We prescribe sublingual ketamine tablets, also called troches or rapidly dissolving tablets. You place the tablet under your tongue and allow it to dissolve over 10-15 minutes. You can read more about how ketamine works on our website.

Your dosing schedule. Most patients begin with an initial course of 10 or more sessions over four to eight weeks (typically 2-3 sessions per week during the induction phase, then tapering). We then transition to a maintenance schedule based on your individual response.

What to expect during a session. I describe the typical experience in detail, including the onset, the peak effects, and the gradual return to baseline. I want you to feel prepared, not anxious. For a detailed breakdown, see our guide on what ketamine therapy feels like.

Safety protocols. I explain our monitoring process, when to contact us, and what to do if you experience any side effects. Your safety is always the top priority.

Cost and logistics. We discuss pricing, payment options, and whether your FSA or HSA may cover the cost. Transparency about pricing is something we take seriously at Tovani Health: we have a full cost breakdown you can review before your consultation.

If you'd like to bring this up with your existing therapist or psychiatrist before scheduling, our guide on how to talk to your therapist about ketamine therapy walks through that conversation.

Step 5: Your Questions

I always leave time for questions. In fact, this is often the longest part of the consultation. Common questions include:

• "Will this interact with my current antidepressant?"
• "Can I do this while working full time?"
• "What if it does not work for me?"
• "How will I know when to stop?"
• "Is this addictive?"

There is no such thing as a bad question in this context. If something is on your mind, I want to address it. The goal is for you to feel fully informed and confident in whatever decision you make.

After the Consultation

If we decide together to proceed with treatment, here is what happens next:

1. Prescription. I write your prescription and send it to our partnered pharmacy, which specializes in compounding ketamine for therapeutic use.

2. Medication delivery. Your medication is shipped directly to your home, typically arriving within three to five business days.

3. Preparation materials. You will receive detailed instructions on how to prepare for your first session, including how to set up your space, what to eat (and what to avoid), and how to get the most out of the experience.

4. First session support. Before your first session, our team checks in to make sure you have everything you need and to answer any last-minute questions.

5. Ongoing monitoring. After each session, you will complete a brief check-in that helps us track your progress and adjust your treatment as needed.

What Makes Tovani Health Different

I founded Tovani Health because I saw too many patients falling through the cracks of the traditional mental health system. Months-long waitlists for psychiatrists. Revolving doors of SSRIs that did not work. Cookie-cutter treatment plans that ignored the individual.

Our approach is different in a few key ways:

Physician-led care. You are not interacting with a chatbot or a nurse practitioner reading from a script. You are working with a physician who has specialized training in ketamine therapy.

Personalized dosing. We do not use a one-size-fits-all dose. Your treatment plan is calibrated to your specific needs, and we adjust as we learn how you respond.

Genuine accessibility. At-home therapy means you do not need to drive to an infusion clinic, take a full day off work, or arrange childcare. You can do your sessions in the comfort of your own home, on your own schedule.

Ongoing relationship. This is not a one-and-done prescription. We monitor your progress, adjust your treatment, and are available when you need us.

How to Prepare for Your Consultation

If you are ready to schedule a consultation, here are a few things that will help the process go smoothly:

• Make a list of your current medications, including doses and how long you have been taking them
• Write down your treatment history, especially which antidepressants or therapies you have tried
• Think about your goals, even in broad terms, for what you hope treatment will accomplish
• Find a quiet, private space for the video call where you can speak freely
• Come with questions, anything and everything you want to know

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a Tovani Health ketamine consultation work?

It's a single 30-minute video visit with Dr. Soffer, preceded by a 5-minute online eligibility check. During the visit we review your medical and psychiatric history, current medications, prior treatment trials, what you're hoping ketamine will help with, your home environment and support setup, and any safety concerns. If approved, you receive a personalized treatment plan and a prescription is sent to the compounding pharmacy that day. Most patients receive their first dose within a week.

What should I prepare before my consultation?

Have ready: a list of current medications and dosages (including supplements), names of antidepressants and other psychiatric medications you've previously tried, any active diagnoses (depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain conditions), your blood pressure if you've had it checked recently, and your treatment goals (what specifically you're hoping ketamine will help with). Also useful: a quiet private space for the call and a few minutes of uninterrupted time.

What happens if I'm not approved during the consultation?

If at-home ketamine isn't appropriate for your situation, Dr. Soffer will explain why specifically. Typical reasons include uncontrolled high blood pressure that needs management first, active substance use disorder that needs stabilization, current pregnancy, or specific medical conditions that warrant clinic-based care. We provide concrete next-step recommendations whenever possible: medications to optimize first, providers to consult, or alternative treatments worth considering. The consultation fee is refunded if a patient isn't approved.

Do I need to be in Florida or New Jersey to do the consultation?

Yes. Tovani Health is licensed only in Florida and New Jersey, so to be a patient you need to be physically present in one of those states during both the consultation and your treatment sessions. This is a state medical-licensure requirement, not a Tovani policy. If you live in another state and are interested in at-home ketamine, look for a physician licensed in your state who provides this service. We can sometimes refer.

Take the first step

The consultation is the beginning of a conversation, not a commitment. If ketamine therapy is right for you, we will build a plan together. If it is not, I will tell you honestly and help you explore other options.

• Eligibility check: tovanihealth.com/eligibility (5 minutes, FL and NJ residents)
• Phone: 561-468-6981
• What you get back: an honest answer. No obligation, no high-pressure sales, no algorithm pretending to be a physician.

Benjamin Soffer, DO — Tovani Health

Related reading: what the experience feels like, what to eat before and after, how long ketamine takes to work, keeping a therapy journal.