270-310-9200 | Emerald Therapy Center is now Lumera Healthcare
Lumera Healthcare provides esketamine therapy in Kentucky for treatment-resistant depression and PTSD, including Spravato® (esketamine) nasal spray.
For patients who haven’t responded to standard medications, esketamine therapy offers a clinically distinct path forward.
Lumera Healthcare offers esketamine therapy for individuals with treatment-resistant depression and PTSD who have not responded to conventional treatments. We provide Spravato (esketamine) nasal spray in a medically supervised setting.
Treatment-resistant depression means you have tried multiple antidepressants without adequate or long-term relief. This therapy offers a different approach, often providing rapid symptom improvement when traditional medications have failed.
Spravato is FDA-approved specifically for treatment-resistant depression. As of January 2025, it can be used alone or with an oral antidepressant for adults who have not responded to at least two antidepressant treatments.
Key Advantages:
FDA Approvals:
Treatment involves supervised administration followed by monitoring. Frequency is determined based on your individual response.
Available at: Our LivingWell and Murray locations
Lumera Healthcare is not affiliated with the manufacturer of SPRAVATO™ and does not endorse any specific pharmaceutical company or product. This information is provided for informational purposes only.
Esketamine therapy is designed for individuals with treatment-resistant depression who have not responded adequately to traditional treatments.
You May Qualify If You Have:
Treatment-resistant depression means your symptoms have not adequately improved despite trying at least two different antidepressants at appropriate doses for sufficient duration.
Esketamine therapy at Lumera Healthcare takes place in a comfortable, supervised medical setting. Our team monitors you throughout the experience and ensures your safety before you leave.
Here’s what to expect during your esketamine therapy journey>
Our psychiatric team conducts a comprehensive evaluation of your treatment history, current medications, and overall health to determine if esketamine therapy is appropriate and which form best suits your needs.
You will receive pre-treatment instructions before your first session. Arrange for someone to drive you home after treatment.
You self-administer the Spravato nasal spray under supervision after a blood pressure check. You rest in our facility while we monitor your response.
You remain under medical observation following treatment. Most people resume normal activities the next day.
We track your progress and adjust your treatment plan based on response.
| Aspect | Traditional Antidepressants | Esketamine Therapy |
|---|---|---|
| Time to Effect | 4-6 weeks | Hours to days |
| How It Works | Increases serotonin/norepinephrine | Affects glutamate pathways |
| Administration | Daily pill | Periodic treatments |
| Best For | First-line depression treatment | Treatment-resistant cases |
Esketamine is now FDA approved as a sole treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or can provide relief that makes other therapies more effective.
Beginning esketamine therapy requires a psychiatric evaluation to confirm treatment-resistant depression and determine the most appropriate treatment approach.
Spravato is the brand name for esketamine, an FDA-approved nasal spray form of ketamine specifically approved for treatment-resistant depression. It is the more potent component of ketamine and can be used either alone or with an oral antidepressant.
Spravato is the first and only FDA-approved monotherapy for treatment-resistant depression, meaning it can be used as a standalone treatment without requiring concurrent antidepressant medication.
Spravato works through the same mechanism as IV ketamine by blocking NMDA receptors and affecting glutamate pathways in the brain. The main difference is the delivery method, Spravato is self-administered as a nasal spray under medical supervision rather than given intravenously.
The esketamine in Spravato is absorbed through nasal tissues and produces similar rapid antidepressant effects as IV ketamine, often showing improvement within 24 hours of the first dose.
Esketamine therapy is designed for adults with treatment-resistant depression – specifically those who have tried at least two different antidepressant medications without adequate improvement. It is also FDA-approved for adults with major depressive disorder with active suicidal ideation. Some patients with PTSD may also be candidates depending on their clinical history and individual assessment.
Candidacy is determined through a thorough medical evaluation at Lumera Healthcare.
Esketamine therapy may not be appropriate for individuals with a history of psychotic disorders or schizophrenia, uncontrolled high blood pressure, serious heart conditions, aneurysms, or active substance use disorders. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have severe liver impairment, or have a known hypersensitivity to ketamine or esketamine are also not appropriate candidates.
A licensed clinician at Lumera Healthcare will conduct a full medical evaluation to determine whether esketamine therapy is safe and appropriate for your specific situation before any treatment begins.
During a session, some patients describe a mild dreamlike state or a temporary sense of detachment from their surroundings. Others notice altered perception of time and space, or a feeling of deep relaxation. Most patients remain awake and aware throughout. These sensations are temporary and are a normal part of how esketamine interacts with the brain – not a sign that something is wrong.
The experience varies from person to person. Some individuals notice more pronounced dissociative effects than others, and most resolve within an hour or two after the session ends. You will be monitored by clinical staff throughout and will need to arrange transportation home afterward, as driving is not permitted following treatment.
Esketamine therapy can produce temporary dissociative effects during a session – a mild dreamlike state or altered perception – but this is not the goal of treatment and is not the same as a recreational drug experience. The doses used are carefully controlled and administered in a supervised clinical setting by healthcare professionals. The therapeutic effect comes from how esketamine interacts with brain chemistry, not from any euphoric response.
Esketamine is an FDA-approved medical treatment, not recreational drug use. The dissociative sensations some patients experience during a session are a known, monitored side effect – not the intended outcome. Patients who have concerns about this are encouraged to discuss them openly with their clinician before beginning treatment.
Yes. Esketamine (Spravato®) is FDA-approved specifically for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder with active suicidal ideation, making it a fully legal and regulated medical treatment when administered by licensed healthcare providers. It is not an off-label use – it was developed and approved specifically for these conditions. Lumera Healthcare is not affiliated with Spravato® or its manufacturer, nor do we endorse the company or product. This information is provided for outreach and awareness purposes only.
Esketamine must be administered in a certified healthcare setting with proper monitoring and supervision – it cannot be prescribed as a take-home medication. Lumera Healthcare follows all required protocols at our LivingWell and Murray locations, where esketamine therapy is available under the care of licensed clinical staff.
Coverage for esketamine therapy varies by insurance plan. Because Spravato® (esketamine) is FDA-approved specifically for treatment-resistant depression, it is more likely to be covered than off-label treatments. Most insurance plans that do cover it require documentation showing that at least two different antidepressant medications were tried without adequate improvement. Lumera Healthcare is not affiliated with Spravato® or its manufacturer, nor do we endorse the company or product. This information is provided for outreach and awareness purposes only.
Coverage is not guaranteed and out-of-pocket costs vary depending on your specific plan. We encourage patients to contact their insurance provider directly to verify benefits before beginning treatment. Our team at Lumera Healthcare can also help answer questions about coverage at our LivingWell and Murray locations – reach out to us directly and we will do our best to help you understand your options.
Absolutely changed my whole life, thank you Lumera. They believed in me when I couldn’t and wouldn’t. Now I’m unstoppable at my recovery and mental health. I highly recommend the Intensive outpatient program it saved my life.
K.G.
My husband is getting insight into his feelings, our daughter is learning coping mechanisms, our granddaughter is also learning to deal with life. We are each learning survival skills & growing skills. Excellent experience!
Mary
I am 102 days sober thanks to the accountability of groups and meetings and also the resources l’ve gotten from their classes. I owe them for a second chance at life and I mean that dearly!
J
Lumera Healthcare therapy has changed my life! The staff here are incredible, they truly care about everyone that walks through their doors.
Sirena
Lumera Healthcare therapy has been AMAZING to my son. They all work so well together for the patient’s greater good.
Tiffany
Lumera Healthcare has been a life saver for me. I began seeing Lumera Healthcare about a year and a half ago for management of major depression and anxiety. They have gone out of their way to ensure I had the medication & therapy I needed.
Mel
Important Medical Information
Psychiatric treatments, including medications and therapy, may involve risks and side effects. This information is provided for outreach and awareness purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Licensed clinicians and medical providers conduct evidence-based assessments to determine the most appropriate individualized treatment plan.