Trying New Things: Spravato® for patients to experience a catalyst for depression relief, and for me, Dr Joey, as a new creative service.
Starting something new always comes with both excitement and nerves. After a year of studying how to integrate psychedelics into medical practice, I came back ready to open Inner Journey with a trusted partner (Donna Ryngala PhD, psychologist) and team. And yet—training or no training—there are still those moments where I think: “Can I really do this? Am I creative enough to bring something new into being? Am I an imposter?”
Turns out, learning new things at 57 years old is still both hard and fun—brain-stretching, humbling, and occasionally silly.
Have you ever thought that? “1 minute mindful moment for you!”
Turns out, learning new things at 57 years old is still both hard and fun—brain-stretching, humbling, and occasionally silly.
The Laughs Along the Way
- Trying to lead my very best “calm, guru-like” meditation… only to have my phone start blaring halfway through. Nothing like a ringtone to snap everyone out of mindfulness.
- Looking at the Spravato® container and seeing a tiny rocket ship. My brain keeps whispering, “of course it looks like a rocket—you’re launching into something new.”
- Discovering that “failing upward” is not just a phrase, but an actual way of life when dealing with insurance, prior authorizations, and billing.
The Process- Remember, science says creativity and learning are great for our moods and cognition!
Get the training. Check.
Create a safe, welcoming space. Turns out decorating is kind of fun.
Listen to mentors. Their wisdom keeps me grounded.
Be brave enough to begin.
Make it uniquely Inner Journey. For us, that means weaving in integration—meditation, body scans, gratitude—before and after each dosing session. (I never thought I’d be leading these, but it’s become one of the most rewarding pieces.)
Stay connected. Patients, therapists (with permission), colleagues, and our team—sharing insights makes us all better.
Be honest. With myself, with patients—naming that this is new, and that I’m hopeful about what’s possible, and I wish we had 20 years of this to know everything about it.
Keep perspective. Insurance headaches are real, but affordability matters.
Reframe mistakes. They’re just reminders that I still get to learn!
Stay grateful. Especially to our first patients—you trusted us, laughed with us, and taught me as much as I’ve taught you.
So, What Is Spravato®?
Spravato® (nasal esketamine) is an FDA-approved treatment for people with treatment-resistant depression—meaning you’ve tried at least two antidepressants without enough relief alongside adjunct medicines and therapy. It’s given as a nasal spray, in a cozy room in our clinic with support, supervision, and our simple integration so that you leave with shift language to use with your personal integration and your therapy session.
Why it matters:
- Relief often felt in days, not weeks.
- Higher remission and response rates than traditional antidepressants.
- Fewer long-term side effects.
Right now, we can bill through BCBS, Aetna, and PacificSource, with more insurers hopefully joining soon.
Moving Forward
For me, adding Spravato® isn’t just about a new treatment—it’s about staying open, laughing at myself, trusting the process, and remembering that trying new things is always worth it. For our patients, I hope it opens new doors to healing, hope, and possibility.
And maybe that little rocket ship is the right image after all. Here we go!
See more on our website for FAQs about Spravato®
Resources:
Creativity and the Brain – APA (https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2009/01/creativity)
FDA information on Spravato®](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/spravato-esketamine)
It has been a long weekend- sharing but adding this time that AI helped me put my story together faster. Let’s be honest, we are all trying AI on and deciding where it works for us. Image is all my silliness! Peace Joey
