Golden Afternoon is Los Angeles's only personalized, physician-operated, boutique ketamine clinic. Rapid, proven relief for treatment-resistant depression, major depressive disorder, and other mood disorders — in a spa-like setting in Santa Monica.
Book a Free Phone ScreeningKetamine has been used safely since the 1960s as an anesthetic. In the last two decades, researchers discovered that sub-anesthetic doses produce rapid, dramatic relief from depression — often within hours of the first infusion. It works differently than SSRIs and other antidepressants: rather than slowly adjusting serotonin levels, ketamine rapidly rebuilds neural connections in areas of the brain impacted by depression.
For people with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) or major depressive disorder (MDD) who haven’t responded to conventional treatments, ketamine therapy has shown success rates significantly higher than traditional medications alone.
Many patients notice meaningful improvement after their very first session — not weeks later. For people in crisis, this speed can be life-changing.
Ketamine targets the glutamate system and promotes neuroplasticity, rebuilding the brain pathways that depression erodes. It is not an SSRI or SNRI.
Decades of clinical research support ketamine’s efficacy for treatment-resistant depression, MDD, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain.
We built Golden Afternoon around one belief: your healing environment matters as much as your treatment. Every detail — from our zero-gravity chairs to our bespoke music playlists to Dr. Jenn’s personal presence — is intentional.
Dr. Jenn designed our care protocols and is usually present — but our team also includes experienced Nurse Practitioners who are trained in the same standards. Every patient receives attentive, physician-designed care.
Private rooms, zero-gravity infusion chairs, curated lighting and music. Set and setting profoundly shape the ketamine experience, so we obsess over every detail.
We offer IV ketamine infusions, IM injections, and insurance-covered Spravato® (esketamine) nasal spray — Dr. Jenn will help you find the right protocol for your depression.
We connect patients with our network of KAP-trained integration therapists to help you process and sustain the gains from your ketamine sessions.
We walk with you every step of the way — from your first conversation through your ongoing maintenance plan.
Start with a no-cost call with one of our care coordinators or nurses. We’ll discuss your history, your goals, and whether ketamine therapy is right for you. No pressure, no commitment.
Our care team — led by Dr. Jenn and supported by experienced Nurse Practitioners — will work with you before and after your first infusion to set your intention, ensure your comfort, and help you contextualize the experience afterward.
Most patients with depression do a series of 6 IV infusions over 2–3 weeks, or twice-weekly Spravato® sessions for a month. Dr. Jenn then builds you a maintenance plan to protect your results.
All 5-star reviews across Google, Yelp, and Reddit.
“The results of her care have reshaped my view on family, work and play where all other courses of treatment for depression and anxiety haven’t made a dent. Go here.”
“This was a life-altering experience. Dr. Jenn and her staff are top-notch. I can’t say enough or fully articulate what a truly safe, healing experience and journey this was.”
“My life has changed for the better because of them. I’ve already recommended my friends to come here and would highly encourage anyone looking for ketamine treatments to choose Golden Afternoon.”
“The doctor is FANTASTIC and probably my favorite person on this earth at the moment… I’ve been to three places so far and Golden Afternoon is the absolute best.”
Is ketamine therapy FDA-approved for depression?
Spravato® (esketamine nasal spray) is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression and MDD with suicidal ideation. IV ketamine is used off-label for depression, but is supported by an extensive body of clinical evidence and is widely considered a standard of care for TRD by leading psychiatric organizations.
How quickly does ketamine work for depression?
Many patients experience meaningful relief within hours to days of their first infusion — far faster than traditional antidepressants, which can take 4–8 weeks. This rapid onset makes ketamine particularly valuable for people in acute depressive episodes.
How many sessions will I need?
Most patients begin with a series of 6 IV infusions over 2–3 weeks. For Spravato®, the standard induction is twice weekly for 4 weeks. After your initial series, Dr. Jenn will create a personalized maintenance plan to protect your results long-term.
Does insurance cover ketamine for depression?
Spravato® (esketamine) is typically covered by insurance for qualified patients. IV ketamine infusions are generally not covered by insurance. We are happy to discuss costs and options during your free phone screening.
Is ketamine therapy safe?
Ketamine has been used as an anesthetic for over 60 years and has an excellent safety profile — it is so safe it is commonly used in pediatric settings. At Golden Afternoon, all ketamine therapy is conducted under physician-designed protocols, with careful monitoring throughout every session.
Am I a candidate for ketamine therapy?
Ketamine is most commonly used for people with treatment-resistant depression, MDD, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and chronic pain who haven’t found adequate relief from conventional treatments. The best way to find out is a free phone screening with our team.
A free phone screening takes 15 minutes and could change everything. Talk with our team — no pressure, no commitment — and find out if ketamine therapy is right for you.
Book Your Free Phone ScreeningOr call us at 310-310-8031 · Located in Santa Monica, CA
Our safe and integrative IV and intranasal Ketamine sessions can help re-wire your neurons and are a proven treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, mood disorders and chronic pain.
Golden Afternoon is a dba of Jennifer A Ellice MD PC
