10 Ways Ketamine Clinics Fail—and How to Avoid Them
Synopsis: This blog explores the 10 most common mistakes that ketamine clinic owners make, from inadequate patient care to marketing missteps and premature scaling. With practical insights and actionable advice, this serves as a roadmap to help you avoid these pitfalls and create a thriving, patient-centered practice.
Key takeaway: Running a successful ketamine clinic requires more than medical expertise—it demands a commitment to patient care, ethical practices, and strategic decision-making. By focusing on your patients, staying informed, and growing mindfully, you can build a clinic that thrives and truly transforms lives.
Running a ketamine clinic is rewarding but challenging. Discover 10 common pitfalls and strategies to ensure success in patient care and beyond.
Why Many Ketamine Clinics Fail (and How You Can Succeed)
Opening and running a ketamine therapy clinic is one of the most rewarding endeavors a medical professional can undertake. But it’s also one of the most challenging. Dispelling myths about this often misunderstood treatment and working closely with patients in deep emotional and physical pain, your approach can make the difference between success and failure—not just for your business, but also for the lives of the patients who rely on you.
Drawing on our expertise in providing ketamine infusion therapy and running a successful clinic, we’ve identified the 10 most common ways ketamine clinics fail—and how you can avoid them. From patient care to marketing strategies and patient-centered financial decisions, we hope these insights help you navigate the unique complexities of this transformative and rewarding field.
Navigating This Blog:
This blog is packed with valuable insights to help you avoid the most common pitfalls when running a ketamine clinic. If you’re short on time or want to jump straight to a specific topic, click on any of the links below. Or, feel free to scroll through and read each section in order.
10 Common Ketamine Clinic Mistakes:
#1 Prescribing Ketamine for At-Home Unsupervised Use
What’s the safest way to administer ketamine? In a medical clinic, under the care of trained physicians and clinicians. As concerning trends emerge—such as telehealth companies prescribing high doses of at-home ketamine—it’s becoming clear just how critical supervised care is. Recent incidents, including those involving public figures, underscore the dangers of unsupervised use.
Why does this matter so much? Ketamine is generally safe when used appropriately. But without proper oversight, risks can multiply. For instance, ketamine can cause changes in vital signs, which require monitoring by a professional. Without that, even minor complications can escalate quickly.
The patient’s environment at home also presents significant concerns. Are they near potential hazards, like a bathtub, swimming pool, or open flame? Could they wander outside or leave a stove burner on due to disorientation? These are just a few examples of why unsupervised at-home use poses serious risks.
In our clinic, we emphasize safety at every step. Patients are instructed never to drive themselves home. We also strictly avoid prescribing parenteral ketamine (such as intramuscular injections) for at-home use. While there is a place for trochies at carefully monitored doses and intervals, prescribing vials with needles for unsupervised use is simply not safe.
Key Takeaways:
Supervised care is essential: Administer ketamine in a controlled, clinical environment whenever possible.
Mitigate risks at home: If at-home use is necessary, ensure the environment is safe and free from hazards.
Educate your patients: Clear discharge protocols and patient education are critical to maintaining safety.
#2 Ignoring Set and Setting
The concepts of set and setting are foundational in ketamine therapy. Set refers to the patient’s mindset—their emotional and mental state prior to treatment. Setting is the environment in which the treatment takes place. Together, these factors can significantly influence the patient’s experience and outcome.
A patient’s mindset is especially important. If they arrive feeling anxious or unsettled, it can detract from the treatment’s effectiveness. Similarly, the atmosphere in your clinic matters. Is it calm and focused, or are distractions like noise and chatter common? Clinics that neglect set and setting often create less than ideal experiences for patients—especially when distractions like phone use are permitted during treatment. With ketamine, the interaction between set and setting is critical to achieving the desired results.
When considering setting, aesthetics such as crystals, mood lighting, and water features can enhance the ambiance. But the most impactful element is the human presence. The clinician’s and staff’s energy, focus, and intention are integral to the setting. If a provider seems distracted or disengaged, patients may feel unsupported. Conversely, when you are fully present, it fosters a safe and healing environment.
Ultimately, setting isn’t just about physical surroundings. It’s about the energy and presence you and your team bring to the space. A beautiful room cannot make up for a lack of attentiveness or care.
Key Takeaways:
Mindset matters: Support patients when entering treatment with a calm and prepared emotional state.
Environment is key: Create a focused, distraction-free space that enhances the therapeutic process.
Your presence is powerful: Be intentional and engaged to provide the best possible setting for your patients.
#3 Saying Yes to Every Patient
As clinicians, we often feel a strong desire to help as many people as possible. It’s natural—we want to make a difference. But the simple truth is this: not everyone is a good fit for ketamine therapy. And that’s okay.
The decision to treat a patient isn’t just about their eligibility for ketamine therapy. It’s also about the therapeutic alliance—the relationship between patient and clinician. This alliance plays a critical role in the success of the treatment. Unlike the emergency department, where federal EMTALA regulations require you to see every patient, in a private practice, you have the ability—and responsibility—to carefully select patients who are the right fit for your practice.
What does that look like in practice? Screening is essential. Start with medical and psychological evaluations to ensure that patients are both physiologically and mentally safe to receive ketamine. Beyond safety, consider whether you can build a strong therapeutic alliance with the patient. If trust and rapport can’t be established, the therapy’s effectiveness could be compromised.
For many of us, saying no to a patient feels counterintuitive. We’re trained to provide care and help as many people as possible. But ketamine therapy isn’t like sedating someone for a procedure or performing an intubation. It requires mental preparation, emotional trust, and a unique therapeutic connection. If that connection isn’t there, it’s okay to acknowledge that they may be better suited for another provider or approach.
Remember, the therapeutic alliance is just as crucial as the medication itself. A patient who trusts you—and whom you trust—will have a far better chance of benefiting from this therapy. Prioritize quality over quantity when deciding who to treat.
Key Takeaways:
Not everyone is a fit: Use medical and psychological screening to determine if ketamine therapy is appropriate for a patient.
The therapeutic alliance matters: Trust between the patient and clinician is critical to successful outcomes.
It’s okay to say no: Focus on patients who align with your practice and values to provide the best care possible.
#4 Leaving Your Stable Job Too Early
Starting a ketamine clinic can be exciting, but it’s important to approach the transition with caution. The reality is that when you first open your doors, you may not have a steady flow of patients right away. You might picture a long line of people waiting for treatment, but in truth, it can take time to build your patient base. That’s why patience—and financial stability—are essential during this phase.
If you’re thinking about leaving your current job entirely, consider this: keeping a part-time role, whether in the emergency department or another setting, can provide a much-needed financial cushion. When we first started in 2018, our clinic was slow at the beginning. Sam worked in the ketamine clinic one or two days a week, but the rest of his time felt wide open. Thankfully, he had a per-diem ER job that offered the stability we needed. It helped us ride out the slow periods without stress. Also, I decreased my FTEs as low as I could while still maintaining our healthcare benefits through my salaried ophthalmology position.
And slow periods will happen. Patient volume often fluctuates. In areas like Palm Springs, for example, summers can be extremely quiet because many people leave during the scorching heat of 115–120 degrees Fahrenheit. Having additional income during these slow times can make a big difference in staying financially and emotionally grounded.
Without a financial cushion, you may feel pressured to take on patients who aren’t a good fit or make decisions driven by financial necessity rather than patient care or your long-term goals. This isn’t sustainable and can lead to compromises that don’t align with your values.
We admire the entrepreneurial spirit and the drive to go “all in.” But some things take time to grow, and your clinic is one of them. Allow yourself the flexibility to build your patient base without rushing into risky decisions.
Key Takeaways:
Growth takes time: Don’t expect an immediate rush of patients when you open your clinic. Be prepared for gradual progress.
Maintain financial stability: Keeping a part-time job can provide a critical cushion during the slow periods.
Avoid financial-driven decisions: With stability, you can focus on what’s best for your patients and your practice rather than feeling pressured to compromise.
#5 You Hire the Wrong Staff
Having the right people on your team is one of the most crucial components of running a successful ketamine clinic—or any business. We learned this the hard way. When we first started, we hired people haphazardly because, quite honestly, no one had ever taught us how to hire. In the hospital setting, hiring RNs, techs, or medical assistants was handled by someone else. When we opened the clinic, we realized quickly how critical it was to get this right.
So, how do you hire the right people? If I had to boil it down to one word, it’s values. The technical skills—procedural knowledge, clinical expertise—can be taught. But values? Those are innate. Kindness, empathy, friendliness, and proactivity: these “soft” traits are often what set the best hires apart. The ability to form connections with patients, embody the clinic’s mission, and truly care about the work is far more important than checking every technical box on paper.
To find the right team members, start by getting clear on your own values and priorities. Ask yourself: Why am I opening this clinic? What’s important to me? What kind of culture do I want to create? Once you’ve identified your core values, use them as a guide for hiring. You’ll know who you’re looking for and can assess whether candidates align with your vision.
Another key lesson we learned: hire slow, fire fast. Rushing to fill a position often leads to costly mistakes. Instead, take the time to develop a thoughtful hiring process. This means more than just running background checks—it means creating a process that challenges candidates to demonstrate their commitment and fit. For example, don’t settle for a great resume or a strong first impression. Put candidates through the paces with interviews, practical tests, or shadowing opportunities. Those who truly align with your clinic’s values will shine, while others will screen themselves out.
Mistakes in hiring can be expensive, not just financially, but in the culture and energy of your clinic. Invest the time upfront to find the right people, and your clinic will be better for it.
Key Takeaways:
Values first: Hire for alignment with your values, like empathy, kindness, and proactivity. Technical skills can be taught.
Be clear on your vision: Define your priorities and culture before you start hiring, so you know what kind of team you want to build.
Hire slow, fire fast: Develop a process to carefully evaluate candidates and ensure they align with your clinic’s mission.
#6 Failing to Market Effectively / Neglecting Your Digital Presence
Marketing can be one of the most challenging aspects of starting and running a ketamine clinic. It’s simple in concept—you need to position your clinic where your target patients spend their time—but it’s not always easy to execute. Where are those patients? They’re online: Googling questions, scrolling through TikTok and Instagram, or joining Facebook groups. Yet many clinics fall into the trap of relying on traditional advertising—TV ads, billboards, or local magazines—which rarely reach the right audience today.
Peter Drucker, renowned management consultant and author, famously said, “The two most important functions of a business are innovation and marketing.” As a ketamine clinic, you already have the innovation piece with your cutting-edge treatments. But marketing is just as crucial. If patients can’t find you online, they won’t come. Your website is your digital storefront, and if it doesn’t show up on Google, Yelp, or Psychology Today, potential patients won’t even know you exist.
Start marketing early. You don’t have to wait until your clinic is fully operational. Even a simple landing page where you can collect emails of interested patients is a great start. The moment you decide, “This is what I’m doing,” is the moment to begin marketing. Waiting for perfection—whether it’s the perfect website, a polished marketing team, or a flawless campaign—is just procrastination. Done is better than perfect.
As Reid Hoffman, entrepreneur and co-founder of LinkedIn, wisely said: “If you’re not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late.” As medical professionals, we’re often taught to strive for perfection because lives depend on it. But marketing is different. You can launch with C+ work and refine it over time.
A decent landing page, a basic online presence, and a way for patients to find you are all you need to start. Don’t let the pursuit of excellence hold you back from taking action!
Key Takeaways:
Be where your patients are: Focus on digital marketing—Google, social media, and online directories—over traditional advertising.
Start early: Build a simple landing page and start collecting emails even before your clinic opens.
Perfection isn’t necessary: Launch with “good enough” and improve as you go. Done is better than perfect.
#7 Not Taking Ketamine Therapy Seriously
Ketamine therapy creates a deeply vulnerable space for patients. Many of them are in pain—mentally, emotionally, or physically—and have already tried countless other treatments. If you don’t take ketamine therapy seriously, or if you treat this medicine with disrespect, you risk not only harming your patients and damaging your credibility but also undermining the field as a whole.
What does it mean to take ketamine therapy seriously? It means committing to becoming an expert. You need to understand the science behind the therapy, the major scientific publications, the contraindications, and the evidence that supports its benefits. Think of it as a mini-fellowship, whether through formal training or self-study. Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to best serve your patients.
Medicine is constantly evolving, and ketamine therapy is no exception. Do you remember learning in medical school that half of what we’re taught will eventually be proven wrong (though no one knows which half)? This is why staying current with research is so critical. Set up alerts on tools like Google Scholar, PubMed, or news feeds for the latest studies and updates. By staying informed, you demonstrate both competence and a commitment to your patients.
Above all, taking ketamine therapy seriously means practicing with integrity. These patients are trusting you at their most vulnerable moments, during what may feel like a mental health crisis. To act carelessly or without the utmost ethical standards would be a betrayal of that trust—and of the Hippocratic Oath–to "do no harm." While we believe in creating a supportive and lighthearted environment, ketamine therapy is not a game. This is your profession, and it demands the highest standards of ethics and care.
Key Takeaways:
Commit to expertise: Learn the science, stay current with research, and treat ketamine therapy as a specialty.
Embrace integrity: Patients in vulnerable states rely on your professionalism, ethics, and care.
Stay up to date: Use tools like PubMed or Google Scholar to track the latest developments in ketamine therapy.
#8 Focusing on Profits Instead of Patients
It’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture when you’re burnt out from a salaried hospital position. Maybe you’re exhausted from the lack of autonomy and just want to break free. But here’s the hard truth: if your primary motivation for starting a ketamine clinic is just to make money, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
Why? Because running a clinic is about so much more than making a profit. If profit becomes your focus, it’s easy to lose the integrity and care that make ketamine therapy successful. Patients can sense when a clinic prioritizes money over their well-being. Think about it—haven’t you experienced this yourself? Whether it’s a spa, a restaurant, or even another clinic, you can tell when their goal is to "move the meat" versus truly serving you.
Here’s another reality check: starting your own clinic won’t necessarily be the easy financial solution you imagine. There’s a popular meme that says, “I quit my 40-hour-a-week job to work 80 hours a week for myself.” It’s funny because it’s true. Beyond seeing patients, you’ll be thinking about HR, marketing, inventory, staffing, and countless other responsibilities; most of which are uncompensated. If your motivation is purely financial, the demands of running a clinic may quickly feel overwhelming.
Patients deserve better, and so do you. Remember the values you learned from mentors and attending physicians: treat every patient as you would treat your own family. Ketamine therapy often attracts people at their most vulnerable, so practicing with compassion and care isn’t just good ethics—it’s good business. When patients feel cared for, they’re more likely to leave glowing reviews, return for boosters, and recommend your clinic to others.
Focusing on patients first is also the key to long-term stability. A heart-centered approach will naturally support your bottom line. Putting the patient first, remembering you’re a healer before you’re a businessperson, and building your clinic around those principles will lead to the kind of success you’re looking for.
Key Takeaways:
Patients come first: Focus on providing care with integrity and compassion, not just on profit margins.
Financial motivation won’t sustain you: Running a clinic is demanding; passion and purpose are essential to weather the challenges.
Good care is good business: Heart-centered care leads to better reviews, patient retention, and long-term growth.
#9 Not Addressing the Psychedelic Non-Ordinary State Experience
Ketamine therapy can open patients up to deep, mystical, and spiritual experiences; what some might describe as connecting with God, the divine, nature, or their inner self. These non-ordinary states of consciousness can be incredibly therapeutic, but if you’re not prepared to address them, you risk failing your patients.
To truly support your patients, you need to focus on three key stages: preparation, support during the experience, and integration.
Preparation: Setting Expectations
Before treatment begins, it’s vital to prepare patients mentally and emotionally. Let them know that they might encounter profound or even unexpected experiences, such as feelings of unity with the universe, revisiting past memories, or visions of loved ones who have passed. Help them understand the role of set and setting in shaping their experience and provide tools to reduce the likelihood of a challenging journey.
Support During the Experience
During a ketamine session, patients can become vulnerable and may even encounter repressed memories or intense emotions. This is where your presence matters most. Being there as a steady, supportive guide can make all the difference. Sometimes, it’s as simple as holding their hand, passing them a tissue if they begin to cry, or offering quiet reassurance during a difficult moment. Without this container of loving support, an otherwise powerful experience can feel overwhelming or even traumatic.
Integration: Making Sense of the Journey
The real healing often happens after the session, during the process of integration. Patients may need help making sense of their experiences, whether it’s a near-death-like encounter, visions of loved ones, or profound insights. Ensure they have access to the right support system—whether that’s working with you, a therapist, or an integration coach. This step is critical for transforming a non-ordinary experience into lasting, therapeutic growth.
By addressing these stages with care and intention, you create a safe and supportive space for your patients to navigate their journeys, process their experiences, and ultimately find healing.
Key Takeaways:
Prepare patients: Set expectations and provide tools to help them approach their experience with confidence and calm.
Be present: Offer steady, compassionate support during the session to ensure a safe and nurturing environment.
Focus on integration: Help patients process their non-ordinary experiences and connect them to their therapeutic goals.
#10 Scaling Too Early or Taking on the Wrong Investors
It can be tempting to expand quickly when your clinic is running smoothly, even if it’s not yet operating at full capacity. Maybe you think, We need to make more money, let’s open a second clinic, and then a third, and a fourth. But spreading your resources too thin, too soon, is a recipe for failure.
The Risks of Scaling Too Quickly
Ketamine therapy isn’t like flipping burgers at a fast-food chain. This work is deeply personal, often involving patients in vulnerable states. Expanding too early can strain your ability to provide the high-quality care and attention your patients need. Instead of growing strategically, you might find yourself scrambling to manage multiple locations, hiring underqualified staff, or losing touch with the standards that made your first clinic successful.
The Dangers of the Wrong Investors
Many clinics make the mistake of taking on investors—such as private equity (PE) or venture capital (VC)—without fully understanding their motivations. Some PE or VC firms are focused on achieving massive returns, aiming for 10X or even 100X growth. While this approach works for tech startups or scalable franchises, it doesn’t align well with the unique, patient-centered nature of ketamine therapy.
That’s not to say all investors are a bad fit. The key is finding the right ones. Look for investors who share your passion for the field, prioritize patient care, and align with your vision for growth. Discernment is crucial here. Consider whether they’re genuinely interested in supporting your mission or simply chasing profits.
Grow With Care
Scaling your clinic should be a thoughtful process. Before expanding or bringing on investors, ask yourself:
Is my current clinic operating at full capacity?
Do I have the resources to maintain the same quality of care across multiple locations?
Do my investors share my values and vision for patient care?
By scaling carefully and partnering with like-minded investors, you’ll be able to grow sustainably while staying true to your mission.
Key Takeaways:
Avoid premature expansion: Focus on optimizing your current clinic before opening additional locations.
Choose investors wisely: Work with partners who share your vision and prioritize patient care over rapid profit.
Scale strategically: Ensure you have the resources and team to maintain quality care as you grow.
Your Path to Success in Ketamine Therapy
Starting and running a ketamine clinic demands more than just medical expertise and business acumen. It requires a deep commitment to patient care and a purpose that is heart-centered and service-driven at its core. By staying informed on the latest advancements in ketamine therapy, strengthening your business knowledge, and regularly reconnecting with your personal why, you can build a clinic that thrives.
While there’s no crystal ball to predict success, we’ve seen countless professionals like you steer their clinics away from failure by keeping these key principles at the forefront. With a patient-first approach, a dedication to learning, and a foundation of integrity, you have what it takes to weather challenges and make a meaningful impact in this field.
Success in ketamine therapy requires the right approach. Explore these 10 essential elements to create a thriving and impactful clinic.
Related Questions:
How can a ketamine clinic owner strike the right balance between financial stability and patient care?
Balancing financial stability with patient care starts by maintaining a steady income source while your clinic grows. Keeping a part-time job during the early stages can provide the financial cushion needed to avoid rushing decisions driven by financial pressure. By focusing on patient-first principles, you build trust and ensure high-quality care, which naturally leads to better reviews and patient retention. Prioritizing patients over profits creates long-term stability, as satisfied patients are more likely to return for boosters and recommend your clinic to others.
What are the common pitfalls when hiring staff for a ketamine clinic, and how can they be avoided?
The most common mistake is hiring people who lack alignment with your clinic’s core values. While technical skills can be taught, traits like kindness, empathy, and proactivity are harder to instill and are essential for creating a patient-centered environment. Take your time during the hiring process—hire slow and fire fast—to ensure you’re bringing on the right people. A thoughtful hiring process that screens for both values and commitment helps you build a team that reflects the mission and culture of your clinic.
If you enjoyed this blog, check out these posts too:
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Attracting Ketamine Infusion Patients: Mistakes To Avoid
The world of marketing is an entirely different world for physicians, and we’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way as ketamine clinic owners. In this blog, we talk about these mistakes and the lessons that will help you choose the right marketing strategy for your clinic.
Starting a ketamine clinic: Should you get investors or not?
Many businesses rely on investors to get started. So should your ketamine clinic get investors as well? That will depend on several factors, which we will talk about in our blog.
Discover the top 10 mistakes ketamine clinics make and learn practical strategies to avoid failure and build a thriving, patient-centered practice.
Discover the top 10 mistakes ketamine clinics make and learn practical strategies to avoid failure and build a thriving, patient-centered practice.