Veterans

A simple guide to ketamine therapy for PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Three paths to treatment. No login, no paywall, no marketing.

If you're in crisis: Call or text 988 (Veterans Crisis Line). Press 1 for veteran-specific support. Available 24/7. You can also text 838255.

Three paths to treatment

Ketamine therapy can help with treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and chronic pain. The VA covers it. Nonprofits fund it. And some clinics offer veteran-specific programs. Here's how to access each.

Path 1: VA Coverage (free)

The VA covers ketamine infusions and Spravato (esketamine nasal spray) for eligible veterans. About 21 VA facilities provide treatment directly, and the Community Care Program allows referrals to private clinics at no cost to you.

You may qualify if: you have a diagnosis of treatment-resistant depression or PTSD, and have tried at least two other antidepressant medications that didn't work.

  1. Contact your VA primary care provider or mental health provider. If you don't have one, call your local VA Medical Center and ask for mental health services.
  2. Tell them you're interested in ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant depression or PTSD. Ask about both direct VA treatment and Community Care referrals.
  3. If your VA facility doesn't provide ketamine, ask for a Community Care referral to an in-network private clinic. The VA pays 100% through the Veterans Care Agreement.
  4. If you're more than 40 minutes from a VA facility, you may automatically qualify for Community Care.

Cost: $0 for eligible veterans through VA or Community Care.

Path 2: Nonprofit funding

Several organizations help veterans access treatment when VA coverage isn't available or isn't enough.

  • Heroic Hearts Project
    Psychedelic-assisted therapy (psilocybin retreats in Oregon, ayahuasca retreats internationally). Grants available for those who can't afford it. 12 weeks of coaching plus aftercare. Over 80% of veterans report improvement.
  • Ketamine Taskforce
    Helps veterans and civilians access ketamine therapy for mental and physical pain. Advocacy and direct support.
  • Better U — Affordable Care Program
    Offers reduced-cost ketamine therapy through their affordable care program for veterans and others who need financial help.
  • TenTen Life + Avesta
    TenTen Life is a nonprofit that funds ketamine treatment at Avesta clinics (DC, Maryland, Virginia) for veterans and first responders. Apply through TenTen Life for funding assistance.
  • Cohen Veterans Network
    National network of mental health clinics providing free or low-cost therapy to veterans and their families. Not ketamine-specific, but a strong resource for broader mental health support.

Path 3: Clinics with veteran programs

Some private clinics offer discounted rates, payment plans, or dedicated veteran programs. Without VA or nonprofit coverage, expect $400–800 per session, with an initial series of 6–8 sessions ($3,000–6,000).

  • Avesta Ketamine & Wellness — DC, Maryland, Virginia
    Sliding-scale pricing. VA Community Care partner. TenTen Life nonprofit partnership for funding assistance.
  • Hawaii Ketamine — Hawaii
    Reduced costs for veterans and first responders. Free monthly services for eligible personnel.
  • Scenic City Neurotherapy — Tennessee
    Contracted with VA Community Care Network for ketamine infusions and TMS.
  • Therapy Unlocked — Texas
    Transparent pricing, flexible payment plans, veteran-specific discounts.
  • Neuroglow — North Texas
    Special veteran discounts on ketamine therapy.
  • KDI Health — Multiple locations
    For every 10 treatment series purchased, they fund a free series for a veteran.

What to expect

Ketamine therapy typically involves a series of IV infusions or nasal spray sessions. Here's what the process usually looks like:

Before treatment

You'll have a consultation to discuss your history, current medications, and treatment goals. Some providers require you to have tried other treatments first. If you're on certain medications (SSRIs, benzodiazepines), your provider may need to adjust them.

During treatment

IV ketamine infusions last about 40–60 minutes. You'll be monitored throughout. Many people describe the experience as dissociative — a feeling of detachment that passes within an hour or two. Spravato (nasal spray) is self-administered under supervision, with a 2-hour observation period.

The course

Initial treatment is usually 6–8 sessions over 2–3 weeks. Many people notice improvement after 2–3 sessions. After the initial series, maintenance sessions (monthly or as needed) help sustain the benefits.

What it helps with

Ketamine has shown effectiveness for treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, anxiety, chronic pain, and suicidal ideation. It works differently from traditional antidepressants — affecting glutamate pathways rather than serotonin — which is why it can help when other medications haven't.

Being honest

Ketamine therapy isn't a cure. It's a tool. It works best alongside other support — therapy, community, physical health. Not everyone responds to it. But for many veterans who've tried everything else, it's been the thing that finally helped.

This page exists because someone helped people we love when they needed it most, and the cost was covered by a stranger's generosity. We want to make it easier for the next person to find their path to treatment. If you know a veteran who might benefit, send them this page. If you know of a resource we're missing, let us know.