A woman standing at the shore with her arms raised and her face turned to the sun, smiling
REMS-certified SPRAVATO® center · Phoenix, AZ

Two antidepressants haven't worked. SPRAVATO® works differently.

SPRAVATO® (esketamine) is an FDA-approved prescription nasal spray for adults with treatment-resistant depression. It may be used alone or in conjunction with an oral antidepressant.

Check If I Qualify Call Us
A clinician with a patient during a treatment session at our Phoenix practice
A nasal spray you take yourself, here in our Phoenix office — with a clinician beside you the whole time.
24 hrs
Relief can begin this fast
2 hrs
Monitored, every session
Most
Insurance accepted & verified

Check your SPRAVATO® eligibility

Two questions and your contact details. We verify your benefits and call you back within one business day.

Please don't include sensitive medical details. Not for emergencies — in a crisis, call 988 or 911.

REMS-certified

Protocol-driven monitoring

FDA-approved

For treatment-resistant depression

Insurance handled

We file the authorization

Board-certified

15+ years in practice

Do I qualify?

SPRAVATO® is for a specific kind of depression.

SPRAVATO® is FDA-approved for adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), a form of depression that has not adequately responded to previous antidepressant treatment.

Treatment-resistant depression

Adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), meaning depression that has not adequately responded to previous antidepressant treatment.

Two or more antidepressants tried

Treatment history is reviewed as part of determining whether SPRAVATO® may be appropriate. Insurance authorization requirements vary by plan.

A clinical evaluation

Your diagnosis, treatment history, current medications and overall health are reviewed to determine whether SPRAVATO® may be appropriate for you.

Not sure whether you meet the criteria? That is exactly what the first call is for.

Check My Eligibility

How it works

A different target in the brain.

SPRAVATO® works differently from many traditional antidepressants. Esketamine acts primarily on the glutamate system as a noncompetitive antagonist of the NMDA receptor.

  1. 1

    Blocks NMDA receptors

    Esketamine is a noncompetitive antagonist of the NMDA receptor, a receptor involved in glutamate signaling in the brain.

  2. 2

    Different mechanism of action

    SPRAVATO® acts on the brains glutamate system, which differs from the primary mechanisms of many traditional antidepressants.

  3. 3

    Your treatment plan

    For treatment-resistant depression, SPRAVATO® may be prescribed alone or in conjunction with an oral antidepressant. Your clinician will determine the appropriate treatment plan based on your individual needs.

Time to first relief

SPRAVATO®

24 hours to a few days

Oral antidepressant

6 to 12 weeks

Illustrative, not to scale. Individual response varies.

A patient holding the SPRAVATO 28 mg esketamine nasal spray device up to their nose
SPRAVATO (esketamine) CIII nasal spray

Dispensed only through REMS-certified centers. We are one.

How SPRAVATO® compares with other treatment approaches.

All three treat depression that hasn't responded to standard care. They differ in how fast they work, what a session costs you in time, and what you feel afterward.

Time to relief

SPRAVATO®

Hours to days

Oral antidepressants

Typically 6–12 weeks per trial

ECT

Over a course of sessions

How it is given

SPRAVATO®

A nasal spray you self-administer

Oral antidepressants

A pill you take daily at home

ECT

Anesthesia and an induced seizure

Sedation

SPRAVATO®

Sedation can occur; patients are monitored after administration

Oral antidepressants

None

ECT

General anesthesia every session

What it targets

SPRAVATO®

Glutamate and NMDA receptors

Oral antidepressants

Serotonin and norepinephrine

ECT

A controlled seizure is induced under general anesthesia

Memory effects

SPRAVATO®

Not typical

Oral antidepressants

Not typical

ECT

Memory loss is a known risk

Time at the clinic

SPRAVATO®

~2 hours of monitoring per session

Oral antidepressants

None — taken at home

ECT

Varies by treatment setting

Driving afterward

SPRAVATO®

Not until the next day

Oral antidepressants

Unrestricted

ECT

Not the same day

See If It's Right for Me

We also offer TMS, ECT and medication management — so if SPRAVATO® isn't the right fit, you don't start over somewhere else.

Your treatment

From first call to first dose.

1

Consultation & evaluation

A full psychiatric evaluation — history, every medication tried, medical factors and a baseline depression score. Also where we screen for what rules SPRAVATO® out.

2

Insurance & authorization

Authorization timing varies by insurance plan. Our team submits the required documentation and works directly with your insurer throughout the process. If authorization is denied, we can review available next steps, including an appeal when appropriate.

3

Induction — weeks 1 to 4

Treatment is typically given twice weekly during the initial four-week induction phase. Your prescribed medication regimen will depend on your diagnosis and individualized treatment plan. Your clinical team will monitor your symptoms and response throughout treatment. Individual response and timing vary.

4

Maintenance & follow-up

Once you are responding, sessions taper to a maintenance schedule set by how you are actually doing — tracked at every visit.

What one session actually looks like

  • You self-administer

    The nasal spray, under the direct supervision of our trained staff.

  • At least two hours of monitoring

    In a private room with a recliner. Vital signs checked throughout; most side effects resolve inside this window.

  • Arrange a ride home

    No driving or operating machinery until the next day, after a full night’s sleep.

Our Phoenix clinic

2929 E Camelback Rd #119, Phoenix, AZ 85016

A woman self-administering an esketamine nasal spray
Self-administered, supervised
Our monitoring room, with recliners, vitals equipment and privacy screens
The monitoring room
The front desk and reception area at our Phoenix office
Our reception area
Our TMS treatment room, with the Magstim chair and stimulator
Our TMS treatment area
Start With an Eligibility Check

Or call (602) 824-8404 — Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm.

Insurance

SPRAVATO® is covered by many insurance plans.

Many commercial insurance plans, Medicare and some Medicaid plans may provide coverage for SPRAVATO®, subject to eligibility, plan requirements and prior authorization.

Aetna
Ambetter Health
Arizona Complete Health
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Care1st Health Plan Arizona
Cigna Healthcare
Curative
Health Net
Humana
Medicare
Mercy Care
Optum
SCAN Health Plan
TRICARE For Life
TriWest Healthcare Alliance
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
Wellcare By Allwell

Swipe to see all 17 plans →

We file the authorization

Approval typically takes three days to two weeks. We handle the paperwork and talk to your insurer directly, so the wait is on us rather than on you.

Benefits verified first

We confirm what your policy covers — the medication and the observation visit are billed separately — before anything begins. Manufacturer savings programs may apply; we will check.

Medicare & AHCCCS

Coverage may be available through Medicare and certain AHCCCS plans for eligible patients. Coverage requirements and prior authorization vary by plan. Our team will verify your benefits before treatment.

Denied before, or worried you will be? If coverage is denied, our team will review the reason and discuss available next steps, including an appeal when appropriate.

Verify My Coverage

Safety

Why it is only given in a clinic.

SPRAVATO® can cause sedation, dissociation, respiratory depression and increases in blood pressure, and it carries a risk of abuse and misuse. Because of these risks, it is available only through the SPRAVATO® REMS program and requires monitoring by a healthcare provider after administration.

  • Direct supervision

    A clinician is with you while you self-administer.

  • Two-hour monitoring

    After every dose, with vital signs observed.

  • Transportation required

    No driving until the next day, after a full night’s rest.

Common side effects

These usually begin shortly after the dose and resolve the same day — which is exactly what the monitoring period is for.

  • Dissociation
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Feeling drunk or euphoric
  • Anxiety or numbness
  • Spinning sensation
  • Raised blood pressure
  • Sedation

Who should not take it

Your evaluation screens for all of these before anything is prescribed.

  • Aneurysms or blood vessel disease
  • Abnormal blood vessel connections (AVM)
  • A history of bleeding in the brain
  • An allergy to esketamine or ketamine

SPRAVATO® is not a pain reliever or an anesthetic, and it is never taken home. Tell your provider about every condition and medication you are on — that is how we judge whether it is safe for you specifically. This page is general information, not medical advice, and not a substitute for the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide your clinician will review with you.

Patient experiences

In their words.

GJ

Gary Johnson

10 reviews · June 2026

Dr. Gomez is incredible. He took the time to really understand my situation, medical history, and what I was trying to accomplish. He was empathetic, caring, and listened without judgement. I highly recommend him and his staff.
Google review Dr. Gomez
MS

Michael Stella

Local Guide · 26 reviews · May 2026

The care I received her was far different past experiences with other providers, since Jessica took the time to hear all of my concerns, and fully took them into consideration as we developed a treatment plan. It was much appreciated!
Google review Jessica Cruz, NP
SB

Sandra Bennewitz

Local Guide · 25 reviews · June 2026

Dr. Gomez is SO kind, thoughtful and smart. He really listens and is so helpful. His office staff is competent and very caring. I highly recommend Dr. Gomez.
Google review Dr. Gomez
L

Logan

7 reviews · April 2026

I’ve had a wonderful experience with all staff members. The whole office has been helpful, especially with handling any insurance issues that have surfaced. I’m grateful to have found this office and its staff and I would highly recommend the facility to others!
Google review Our team
BE

Benjamin Ernyei

Local Guide · 13 reviews · November 2025

Dr Gomez and the staff at Interventional Psychiatry of AZ have been my best choice in care in the past couple years. Dr Gomez always listens to my issues and has made several recommendations in my care and treatment for my mental health best concerns. His staff is very supportive and I have always recommended Dr Gomez to anyone looking for an excellent, respectful, and supportive psychiatrist.
Google review Dr. Gomez
WE

Walker Eltife

5 reviews · September 2025

Dr. Gomez is an amazing man and doctor. He took me on when I moved to Arizona. I was patient of his for roughly 3 years he was always professional, compassionate, insightful and understanding. He played a huge part in helping me continue my sobriety while in Arizona. His staff is informative and kind as well and is always quick to lend a hand or answer any questions. I would send my own family Dr Gomez.
Google review Dr. Gomez

Reviews are reproduced as published by their authors on Google and describe care at this practice generally, not SPRAVATO® treatment specifically. Individual results vary.

Questions

Good to know before you call.

Ask us directly

(602) 824-8404

Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm

Check My Eligibility

For most patients, yes. The majority of commercial plans, Medicare and many Medicaid programs — including Arizona’s AHCCCS — cover SPRAVATO® for treatment-resistant depression. Coverage is not automatic: insurers require a prior authorization first. Our care coordinators handle that paperwork and talk to your insurer directly.

Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your insurance plan and may include a deductible, copay or coinsurance for the medication and treatment-related services. Before treatment begins, our team will verify your benefits and review your expected patient responsibility with you. Eligible patients with commercial insurance may also qualify for manufacturer savings or rebate programs that can help with certain SPRAVATO® medication and treatment-observation costs. Our team can help you determine whether you may be eligible.

Response to SPRAVATO® varies. Some patients may experience improvement earlier in treatment, while others may require multiple treatment sessions before noticing a change. Your clinical team will monitor your symptoms throughout treatment and evaluate your individual response.

You self-administer SPRAVATO® nasal spray under the supervision of a healthcare provider at our REMS-certified treatment center. After administration, you will be monitored for at least two hours. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for potential side effects and determine when you are clinically stable and ready to leave. You will need to arrange transportation home and should not drive or operate machinery until the next day, after a full night’s sleep.

No. You will need to arrange transportation home after each SPRAVATO® treatment. You should not drive or operate machinery until the next day, after a full night’s sleep. Your healthcare provider will determine when you are clinically stable and ready to leave the treatment center.

Dissociation, dizziness, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, a feeling of being drunk or euphoric, anxiety or numbness, and a spinning sensation. They usually begin shortly after the dose and resolve the same day, which is what the monitoring period is for.

Prior authorization usually takes three days to two weeks. Denials do happen, most often because of missing documentation — if that happens, our team files the appeal on your behalf with the additional clinical evidence.

No referral is required to schedule an appointment with Interventional Psychiatry of Arizona. However, referral or authorization requirements may vary depending on your insurance plan and the services you receive. Our team can verify your benefits and any applicable requirements before your appointment.

Get started

You have waited long enough.

Prior authorization takes three days to two weeks. The sooner we start it, the sooner you can start treatment — and the first conversation costs you nothing.

Call (602) 824-8404 Check My Eligibility

In crisis? Call 911, or call or text 988 for the 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

2929 E Camelback Rd #119
Phoenix, AZ 85016 Get Directions

Mon–Fri
8am–5pm