Video Visit Tips for Ketamine Patients: Making the Most of Your Telehealth Appointments

Why Video Visits Matter in Ketamine Therapy

Telehealth ketamine therapy relies heavily on video visits — for initial evaluations, dosing sessions, follow-up assessments, and ongoing monitoring. The quality of these video appointments directly affects the quality of your care. Providers assess your mental state, physical responses, and overall progress through what they can see and hear on screen.

Unlike a routine telehealth visit for a prescription refill, ketamine video sessions require your provider to observe you closely. They are watching for signs of dissociation, monitoring your affect and speech patterns, and evaluating whether your treatment plan is working. Making the most of these appointments means setting yourself up so your provider can do their job effectively while you remain comfortable and engaged.

Before Your Appointment

Technology Setup

Technical difficulties are the most common source of frustration in telehealth visits. Eliminate them before your appointment starts.

Device:

• Use a laptop or tablet rather than a phone when possible — the larger screen allows better face-to-face interaction and your provider can see more of your environment
• Ensure your device is fully charged or plugged in
• Close unnecessary applications to free up processing power
• Test your camera and microphone at least 30 minutes before the appointment

Internet connection:

• A wired ethernet connection is more stable than Wi-Fi
• If using Wi-Fi, position yourself close to the router
• Aim for at least 10 Mbps upload and download speed — test at speedtest.net
• Have a backup plan (such as your phone's cellular data) in case your primary connection fails

Software:

• Download and install the telehealth platform in advance — do not wait until 5 minutes before your appointment
• Complete any required account setup, consent forms, or pre-visit questionnaires ahead of time
• Familiarize yourself with the platform's features: mute button, camera toggle, chat function, and screen sharing

Preparing Your Space

Your physical environment during a ketamine video visit is more important than in a typical telehealth appointment, especially during dosing sessions.

Lighting:

• Face a window or light source so your face is clearly illuminated
• Avoid backlighting (a bright window behind you will make your face appear dark)
• Soft, even lighting is best — overhead fluorescent lights can wash out your features

Background and privacy:

• Choose a private room where you will not be interrupted
• Lock the door if possible
• Let household members know you are in a medical appointment and should not be disturbed
• A plain, uncluttered background is ideal — some platforms offer virtual backgrounds if needed

Comfort:

• Sit in a comfortable chair or recline on a couch — during dosing sessions, you may be in the same position for 45 to 90 minutes
• Have pillows, blankets, a water bottle, and tissues within reach
• Keep the room at a comfortable temperature
• If you use an eye mask during sessions, have it ready but accessible

Safety items:

• Have a phone nearby (not your session device) in case of emergency
• Keep your emergency contact information visible
• If your provider requires blood pressure monitoring, have your cuff ready and tested

For a full guide to setting up your treatment space, see our article on set and setting for telehealth ketamine.

During the Appointment

Initial Evaluations and Consultations

Your first video visit is typically an evaluation to determine whether ketamine therapy is appropriate for you. Make the most of this appointment by:

Preparing your history:

• Write down your psychiatric medication history, including medications tried and why they were discontinued
• List your current medications, doses, and any supplements
• Note your diagnosis history and any hospitalizations
• Bring specific examples of how your symptoms affect your daily life

Asking questions:

• What type of ketamine will be prescribed (sublingual, nasal, oral)?
• What is the expected treatment timeline?
• How will sessions be monitored?
• What are the potential side effects and how will they be managed?
• What is the total cost, and what payment options are available?

Our getting started guide covers what to expect in detail.

During Dosing Sessions

If your provider monitors you via video during dosing sessions, the visit will follow a different structure than a typical medical appointment.

Before dosing:

• Report any changes in medications, health, or symptoms since your last session
• Confirm that you have not eaten for the recommended period (if applicable)
• Show your provider the medication to confirm the correct dose
• Take and report your blood pressure if required
• Confirm your sitter or support person is available

During the session:

• Keep your camera on and positioned so your provider can see your face and upper body
• You do not need to talk constantly — silence is normal during ketamine experiences
• Your provider may check in periodically by speaking to you or asking you to give a thumbs up
• If you feel uncomfortable, nauseous, or distressed at any point, communicate immediately
• It is okay to close your eyes, use an eye mask, or listen to music — but keep your camera on

After dosing:

• Your provider will typically check in with you at specific intervals as effects subside
• Report how you feel honestly — both positive and difficult experiences are clinically relevant
• Do not end the call until your provider confirms the session is complete
• Follow all post-session instructions regarding rest, hydration, and activity restrictions

Follow-Up Visits

Follow-up appointments are where treatment adjustments happen. Come prepared with:

• A symptom journal — Track mood, anxiety, sleep, appetite, and energy daily between sessions
• Specific observations — "I noticed my mood improved for about 5 days after the last session, then started declining" is more useful than "I felt a little better"
• Questions about your treatment plan — Is the dose appropriate? Should frequency change? When is the next session?
• Concerns about side effects — Report headaches, nausea, bladder symptoms, cognitive changes, or anything unusual

For more on what happens after treatment, see our follow-up care guide.

Communication Tips

Be Honest and Specific

Your provider cannot examine you physically through a screen. They depend on your honest, detailed reporting. Do not minimize symptoms to seem like you are improving, and do not exaggerate them to get a dose increase. Be straightforward.

Use the Chat Function

Most telehealth platforms have a text chat feature. Use it to:

• Share medication names or dosages that are hard to spell out verbally
• Send photos of your medication labels if there is a question about what you received
• Note questions you want to ask so you do not forget during the session
• Communicate if your audio cuts out

Speak Up About Technical Issues

If your video freezes, audio drops, or the connection becomes unstable, tell your provider immediately. Most providers have protocols for session interruptions, which may include switching to a phone call. Do not try to continue a dosing session with a poor connection — your safety depends on your provider being able to see and hear you.

Follow Up in Writing

After your appointment, send a message through the patient portal summarizing any changes to your treatment plan, new instructions, or questions you forgot to ask. This creates a written record and ensures nothing falls through the cracks.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

The Bottom Line

Video visits are the backbone of telehealth ketamine therapy. A little preparation — setting up your technology, creating a comfortable and private space, organizing your health information, and communicating openly with your provider — goes a long way toward ensuring effective, safe treatment.

If you are considering telehealth ketamine for the first time, start with our comprehensive guide on how telehealth ketamine works.

References

• Telehealth Best Practices for Mental Health — American Psychiatric Association — APA guidelines for effective telepsychiatry sessions
• Patient Engagement in Telehealth — NIH National Library of Medicine — Research on optimizing patient experiences during telehealth visits
• Ketamine Monitoring During At-Home Treatment — Journal of Clinical Psychiatry — Study on safety monitoring protocols for at-home ketamine therapy
• Telehealth for Depression Treatment — NIMH — NIMH resources on depression treatment including telehealth modalities
• Video Visit Technology Requirements — Mayo Clinic — Patient guide to preparing for telehealth appointments