What Field Trip Health Does
Field Trip Health is a private clinic network that offers ketamine-assisted therapy for depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. The company operates physical locations in several U.S. cities and Canada, where patients receive ketamine infusions or other forms of the drug in a clinical setting alongside talk therapy. Unlike some telehealth ketamine providers, Field Trip requires in-person visits at their clinics.
Field Trip's model pairs the medical administration of ketamine with psychotherapy before, during, and after treatment. A therapist meets with you before your first infusion to discuss your mental health history and what to expect. During the infusion itself, a clinician monitors your vital signs while a therapist may be present. After treatment, you have follow-up therapy sessions to process the experience and work toward lasting change.
The company operates as a for-profit business, which means costs are not covered by insurance at most locations. You pay out of pocket, though some clinics offer payment plans. Field Trip has expanded rapidly since its founding in 2019, opening new locations regularly, so availability depends on whether a clinic operates in your area.
Key Takeaways
- Field Trip Health requires you to visit a physical clinic for ketamine infusions; treatment is not delivered by telehealth or mail.
- Each treatment session includes a therapist meeting with you before and after the infusion to discuss your mental health and process the experience.
- Costs are typically paid out of pocket and vary by location, though some clinics offer payment plans to spread the expense over time.
- You must be screened by Field Trip's medical team before treatment begins, and certain medical conditions or medications may disqualify you.
- Field Trip operates in select U.S. cities and Canadian provinces, so you need a clinic location near you to receive treatment.
How to Find a Field Trip Clinic Near You
Field Trip's website lists all operating clinic locations with their addresses and contact information. You can search by city or postal code to see if a clinic is open in your area. The company continues to open new locations, so if no clinic is currently near you, checking back periodically may show an expansion in your region.
Once you identify a nearby clinic, you can contact them directly by phone or through the website to ask about availability and scheduling. Some locations have wait lists, especially in major cities, so the time between your first call and your first appointment may be several weeks. The clinic will also use this initial contact to do a brief screening — asking about your medical history, current medications, and mental health symptoms — to determine whether you are a candidate for treatment.
What Happens During Your First Appointment
Your first visit to a Field Trip clinic includes a full intake appointment before any ketamine is administered. You will meet with a clinician who reviews your medical history, current medications, and mental health diagnosis. They will ask about any previous psychiatric treatment, substance use history, and whether you have any medical conditions that might affect your safety during ketamine infusion.
The clinician will also explain how ketamine works, what you will experience during the infusion, and what the typical treatment course looks like. This is the time to ask questions about side effects, what happens if you have a bad experience, and how many sessions you might need. You will sign consent forms acknowledging the risks and benefits of ketamine treatment.
If you are cleared to proceed, your first actual infusion may happen the same day or at a scheduled follow-up appointment, depending on the clinic's protocol. Before the infusion begins, a therapist will meet with you to discuss what you hope to get out of treatment and to establish a therapeutic relationship.
What Happens During a Ketamine Infusion Session
A typical Field Trip infusion session lasts one to two hours. You sit in a comfortable chair or recline on a bed in a private or semi-private room. A clinician places an IV line in your arm and begins administering ketamine slowly over 40 to 60 minutes. Your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels are monitored throughout.
During the infusion, you will feel the drug's effects gradually. Most people describe a floating or dissociative sensation — a sense of detachment from your body and surroundings. Some people see colors or patterns. Others feel a profound sense of calm or emotional release. The experience is different for each person, and Field Trip's therapists are trained to support you through whatever arises.
A therapist may be in the room with you during the infusion, or available nearby if you need support. After the ketamine wears off — usually within 30 to 60 minutes — you will spend time in a recovery area. You cannot drive yourself home, so you must arrange transportation before your appointment. Most clinics require a designated driver or will not discharge you otherwise.
The Treatment Schedule and Number of Sessions
Field Trip typically recommends a series of infusions rather than a single session. The standard initial course is usually four to six infusions spread over one to three weeks, though this varies by clinic and by your individual response. Some people see improvement after two or three sessions; others need the full course before noticing a change.
After the initial series, some patients move to maintenance infusions — single sessions spaced weeks or months apart to sustain improvement. Others stop treatment after the initial course and rely on ongoing therapy and medication. Your clinician will discuss what makes sense for your situation based on how you respond.
Between infusions, you continue working with a therapist at the clinic. These sessions help you integrate the experience and explore insights to your daily life. The therapy component is considered essential to Field Trip's model — the drug opens a window for change, but the therapy work is what creates lasting benefit.
Cost and Payment Options
Field Trip's pricing varies by location and the number of sessions in your package. A single infusion typically costs between $500 and $1,500, though prices differ across clinics. A full initial course of four to six infusions may cost $2,000 to $8,000 or more, depending on where you live and what the clinic includes in the package.
Most Field Trip locations do not bill insurance, so you pay out of pocket. However, some clinics offer payment plans that let you spread the cost over several months with little or no interest. A few locations may work with certain insurance plans, so it is worth asking when you call. You should also ask whether the clinic offers any sliding scale pricing or financial information for patients with limited income.
Before committing to treatment, ask the clinic for a full cost breakdown in writing. This should include the cost per infusion, the cost of therapy sessions, any facility fees, and whether there are additional charges for initial screening or follow-up appointments.
Who Should Not Pursue Field Trip Treatment
Field Trip screens out patients with certain medical conditions or medication combinations that make ketamine unsafe. You will likely be disqualified if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, a history of psychosis or schizophrenia, or certain heart conditions. Pregnancy is also a contraindication, as is active substance use disorder.
Some medications interact dangerously with ketamine, particularly certain antidepressants and blood pressure drugs. If you take multiple medications, the screening process will identify conflicts. You may be asked to work with your primary care doctor or psychiatrist to adjust your medications before starting Field Trip treatment, or you may be told that ketamine is not safe for you at this time.
If you have a history of dissociative disorders or trauma-related conditions, Field Trip may still treat you, but the clinician will discuss the risks carefully. The dissociative effects of ketamine can be therapeutic for some people with trauma, but destabilizing for others. Your history matters, and the clinic should take time to assess whether you are a good fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does insurance cover Field Trip ketamine treatment?
Most Field Trip locations do not accept insurance, so you pay out of pocket. A small number of clinics may bill certain insurance plans, so ask when you call. Even if your clinic does not bill insurance directly, you may be able to submit receipts to your insurance company for reimbursement, though coverage varies widely by plan.
What if I have a bad experience during the infusion?
Field Trip clinicians are trained to support you through difficult experiences. A therapist is present or nearby during your infusion. If you become very anxious or distressed, the clinician can slow or stop the infusion. Having a therapist there to talk you through the experience is part of Field Trip's model, and many people find that support makes a difficult session manageable.
How long do the effects of ketamine last?
The when ready effects of ketamine wear off within an hour or two of the infusion ending. However, the therapeutic benefit — the improvement in mood or anxiety — can last days or weeks after a single session. This is why Field Trip recommends a series of infusions rather than one-time treatment. The cumulative effect of multiple sessions tends to produce longer-lasting improvement.
Can I do Field Trip treatment while taking my regular antidepressant?
Many people continue their regular psychiatric medications while receiving ketamine treatment at Field Trip. However, some medication combinations are unsafe with ketamine. Your clinician will review all your medications during screening and may ask you to adjust doses or switch medications before starting treatment. Do not stop or change any medication on your own — discuss it with Field Trip's medical team.
What happens if ketamine does not work for me?
Not everyone responds to ketamine, and Field Trip's clinicians should discuss this possibility upfront. If you complete an initial course and see no improvement, you have the option to stop treatment and explore other options. Some people need a longer course or higher doses; others straightforward do not respond to ketamine. Your therapist can help you decide whether to continue, adjust the approach, or try something different.