Spravato® Treatment in Virginia Beach, VA
FDA-Approved Esketamine Treatment for Resistant Depression — Virginia Beach's First Provider
If you've tried antidepressants without finding real relief, you're not out of options. At Beach Counseling Center, we were the first healthcare provider in Virginia Beach to offer Spravato® (esketamine), an FDA-approved nasal spray that works differently than traditional antidepressants and can bring meaningful improvement often within just one to two treatments.
What Is Esketamine (Spravato®)?
Spravato® is an FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray — not a pill, not an infusion — designed specifically for adults who haven't found adequate relief from oral antidepressants. Unlike traditional antidepressants, which can take four to six weeks to begin working, Spravato® targets different receptors in the brain and can begin reducing symptoms within hours to days.
Spravato® is FDA-approved to treat two challenging forms of depression:
Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD): For adults who haven't achieved relief after trying at least two oral antidepressants at adequate doses and duration.
Major Depressive Disorder with Acute Suicidal Ideation (MDSI): For adults experiencing severe depressive symptoms with active suicidal thoughts or behaviors, requiring rapid intervention.
Spravato® is always used alongside your existing oral antidepressant. It enhances your overall treatment for depression, not replaces it.
Why Consider Esketamine for Depression?
Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the world, yet for roughly one in three people, standard antidepressants simply don't provide enough relief. Research shows that remission rates drop significantly with each new antidepressant tried. If you've been through that cycle of starting a new medication, waiting weeks, and still not feeling like yourself, it can be exhausting and discouraging.
Spravato® works on the NMDA receptor, a completely different pathway than SSRIs and SNRIs, which is why it can be effective even when other medications haven't been. It's administered right here in our Virginia Beach office in a comfortable, monitored setting.
What to Expect During Spravato® Treatment
Spravato® is not something you take home. By FDA requirement, every treatment session takes place in a certified healthcare setting, and we're proud to be one of the few certified Spravato® REMS providers in the Virginia Beach area. Here's how the process works:
Initial Consultation: We'll review your mental health history, previous medications, and overall health to confirm you're a good candidate for this treatment option. We take time to answer every question.
Treatment Appointment (approximately 2 hours): You'll self-administer the nasal spray under our direct supervision in a comfortable, private room. Spravato® requires you to remain in the office for at least two hours after dosing so our clinical team can monitor for any temporary side effects such as dizziness or dissociation.
Ongoing Dosing Schedule: The typical induction phase is twice weekly for four weeks, transitioning to once weekly, then once every two weeks, always adjusted to your response and your doctor's recommendation.
Transportation: Because of the monitoring period, you'll need someone to drive you home after each session. Please plan accordingly.
Our team is with you every step of the way — from your first consultation through your ongoing treatment plan.
Compassionate, Expert Spravato® Care at Beach Counseling Center
Our dedicated clinical team has guided many patients through their Spravato® journey — from the first tentative question of "Is this right for me?" to the moment things finally start to feel lighter. We were the first practice in Virginia Beach to offer this treatment. Dr. Annie Phillips brings over 20 years of experience to every care plan, and we've been voted Best of the Beach three consecutive years running.
You deserve a team that takes time to truly understand your experience, not just your depression symptoms. We provide a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where you'll feel heard and confident from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Depression that doesn't respond to medication is called treatment-resistant depression (TRD), a form of major depression in which depressive symptoms in adults persist despite trying at least two different antidepressant medications at adequate doses. Untreated depression of this kind can be deeply isolating and can significantly impact quality of life over many years. Esketamine for treatment-resistant depression was specifically developed as a treatment option for individuals in this situation. If you or someone you love has lived with major depression for years without adequate relief, please reach out.
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Spravato® (esketamine) is related to ketamine — esketamine is actually a derivative of ketamine — but they are different treatments. Ketamine infusions are given intravenously in a clinic and are not FDA-approved as a psychiatric treatment. Spravato® is an FDA-approved nasal spray specifically indicated for treatment-resistant depression and MDD with suicidal ideation, administered under medical supervision in certified clinics like ours. This FDA approval also means Spravato® is eligible for insurance coverage, whereas IV ketamine typically is not.
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Clinical studies show that the efficacy of Spravato® is meaningful for people with treatment-resistant depression who haven't found relief from oral medications. The landmark TRANSFORM-2 trial found a statistically significant reduction in depression severity scores from baseline to day 28, while the SUSTAIN-1 and SUSTAIN-3 studies demonstrated that continued treatment with Spravato® significantly delayed relapse compared to placebo. Spravato® is not a cure, but for many patients with depression, it provides relief from depression symptoms that other depression treatments have failed to deliver.
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Many patients notice improvements within the first one to two treatment sessions, sometimes within hours of their first dose. This is one of the most significant advantages over traditional antidepressants, which typically take four to six weeks before any effect is felt. Results vary by individual, and our clinical team will work with you to evaluate your response throughout the treatment schedule.
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Spravato® is covered by many major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid in most cases, because it holds full FDA approval. Coverage varies by plan and individual circumstances. We encourage you to call our office at (757) 233-1500 — our team will help verify your specific coverage before you commit to treatment.
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The most commonly reported side effects include temporary dissociation (a feeling of detachment or unreality), dizziness, nausea, and elevated blood pressure immediately following administration. These effects typically resolve within two hours, which is why all patients are monitored in our office for at least two hours after each dose. Our clinical team is present throughout every session to ensure your comfort and safety.
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Adults with Treatment-Resistant Depression (who have tried at least two oral antidepressants without adequate relief) or Major Depressive Disorder with acute suicidal ideation may be candidates for Spravato®. A thorough medical and psychiatric evaluation is required before starting treatment. Spravato® is not appropriate for individuals with certain conditions, including uncontrolled high blood pressure, a history of psychosis, or specific drug interactions. Our team will conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine if it's right for you.
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Beach Counseling Center at 1064 Laskin Road, Suite 14C, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 is a certified Spravato® REMS provider and was the first practice in Virginia Beach, and among the first in all of Hampton Roads, to offer this treatment. Call us at (757) 233-1500 to schedule a consultation.