Am I a Candidate for Ketamine Therapy in Israel?

July 6, 2026

If you have tried antidepressants and talk therapy without lasting relief, you may be asking whether ketamine therapy in Israel is a realistic next step for you. The honest answer is that it depends — ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) helps many people who have not responded to conventional treatment, but it is not right for everyone, and candidacy is decided through a proper medical and psychiatric evaluation, never a self-assessment.

This guide walks through who tends to be a good candidate, who should not undergo ketamine treatment, and exactly how we determine eligibility at Keter Health in Jerusalem. Our goal is simple: to help you understand whether this path is worth exploring before you ever book a session.

Who Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Is Designed to Help

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is most often considered when standard first-line treatments have fallen short. At Keter Health we specialize in treating depression, PTSD, anxiety, and palliative care, and candidates for KAP frequently share a few things in common.

You may be a strong candidate if you live with treatment-resistant depression — meaning you have tried two or more antidepressants at adequate doses without meaningful improvement. Across randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews covering more than 1,000 patients, ketamine-assisted approaches have produced rapid, clinically meaningful reductions in depressive symptoms, including in people who did not respond to conventional treatment.

KAP is also worth exploring if you experience PTSD or trauma-related distress, generalized, social, or panic anxiety that has not eased with SSRIs and psychotherapy, or persistent symptoms that interfere with daily functioning despite your best efforts. Ketamine works differently from traditional antidepressants — it acts primarily on the brain’s glutamate system and the NMDA receptor, which may explain why its effects can appear within hours rather than weeks, and why it can help when other medications have not.

Beyond the diagnosis, good candidates tend to be people who are open to the therapeutic process. KAP is not a passive drug treatment; the psychotherapy and integration work that surround each session are where much of the lasting change happens.

Who Should Not Do Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

Just as important as knowing who qualifies is understanding the contraindications. Ketamine is a serious medical treatment, and certain conditions make it unsafe or inappropriate.

You may not be a candidate for ketamine therapy if you have:

Uncontrolled high blood pressure or significant cardiovascular disease. Ketamine can transiently raise blood pressure and heart rate, so unmanaged hypertension needs to be addressed first.
A personal history of psychosis or schizophrenia. Because ketamine produces dissociative, altered states, it can be risky for people with certain psychotic disorders.
Active, unmanaged substance use disorders, which require their own care pathway before KAP can be considered.
Pregnancy, or certain untreated medical conditions that your physician determines make treatment unsafe.

This is not a complete list, and none of it is meant to discourage you — it is meant to show why candidacy has to be decided by a qualified physician who reviews your full history, not by an online checklist. If one of these applies to you, it does not automatically close the door; in some cases the underlying issue can be managed so that treatment becomes appropriate later.

How Keter Health Determines If You Are a Candidate

At Keter Health in Jerusalem, eligibility is established through a structured, medically supervised process — the same care that makes ketamine therapy in Israel safe and legal when properly administered.

Step 1 — Comprehensive assessment. Your journey begins with an evaluation by Dr. Isaac Nagel, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist who reviews your mental health history, current medications, physical health, and treatment goals to determine whether KAP is right for you.

Step 2 — Pairing with a Certified Ketamine Facilitator. Once approved, you are matched with a Certified Ketamine Facilitator (CKF), a trained professional who supports you through preparation, the ketamine sessions, and integration.

Step 3 — Preparation and treatment. Ketamine is primarily administered intramuscularly by a medical professional in a calm, private setting, with careful monitoring throughout. It is a process rather than a one-time cure, and most people undergo a series of sessions paired with integration work.

Because ketamine for psychiatric use in Israel is off-label and requires individual authorization, this screening step is not a formality — it is a legal and clinical safeguard that protects you.

FAQ

Do I need a referral to explore ketamine therapy in Israel?
No referral is required to begin. You can start with a free consultation, and the psychiatric assessment during that process determines whether you are a suitable candidate.

I’m on antidepressants now — can I still qualify?
Often, yes. Many candidates are currently taking antidepressants. Your psychiatrist will review your medications during the assessment and advise on how they fit alongside treatment.

Is ketamine therapy legal in Israel?
Yes. Ketamine is a controlled substance that is legally available for medical use when prescribed and administered by licensed professionals. Its psychiatric use is off-label and requires Ministry of Health authorization on an individual basis. Read more: is ketamine therapy legal in Israel.

What if I’m not a candidate right now?
Some contraindications, such as uncontrolled blood pressure, can be managed over time. If KAP isn’t appropriate today, the assessment can point you toward the steps that might make it an option later.

How many sessions will I need?
KAP is a course of treatment, not a single dose. The number of sessions varies by individual and is discussed as part of your personalized plan.

Ready to Find Out If Ketamine Therapy Is Right for You?

The only way to know for certain whether you are a candidate is a professional evaluation. If you are in Jerusalem or anywhere in Israel and conventional treatment hasn’t given you the relief you’re looking for, we’re here to help you understand your options — with no pressure and no obligation.