Ken Starr MD Wellness Group

Ken Starr MD Wellness Group is a substance use treatment clinic in the Village of Arroyo Grande, near San Luis Obispo on California’s Central Coast, that also offers ketamine treatment and NAD+ therapy. It is certified by the California Department of Health Care Services and describes itself as CARF-accredited.

Approach

The clinic gives ketamine by intravenous infusion and by intramuscular injection, and calls itself the original ketamine programme in San Luis Obispo. It also says it runs the longest-standing NAD+ therapy programme on the West Coast and was the first to pair ketamine with NAD+. Ketamine therapists on staff handle orientation before a session, hold space during it and lead integration afterwards. The founder, Ken Starr, MD, works with two physician assistants, Will Cable and Dionne Henderson.

Who it is for

Ketamine is offered for depression, anxiety, PTSD, trauma and chronic pain, and the clinic also uses it in alcohol recovery. Its addiction services run from outpatient medical detox and stabilisation to intensive outpatient and standard outpatient recovery programmes, with group and individual work.

Practical details

Prices have ranged from $295 to $1,600. The clinic is at 107 Nelson St in Arroyo Grande and also offers occupational medical exams, IV infusions and hormone treatments.

Care and safety

A new ketamine patient starts with a medical evaluation by Dr Starr, then an intake and preparation session with one of the licensed therapists. After the ketamine session, an integration session with the therapist follows within three days. The state licence for its treatment programme is number 400010AP.