photos by: JEJ PHOTOS
For millions of individuals in the United States who struggle with treatment-resistant depression, finding and bonding with a well trained group of professionals can be life changing.
Zen Psychiatric Services in Mooresville has assembled that wisely trained group of experts who thrive on making people well. Founder Anthony Frasca, MD, MSPH, who received his medical degree and master of science in public health from the University of South Carolina, then trained in psychiatry at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, shares the mission for the newest location of Zen Psychiatric – which has proven to be the perfect complement to sister practices in Asheville and Morganton. The Morganton office began administering Spravato® treatment in 2021.
“We present a compassionate, patient-centered approach to mental health with Spravato® intranasal and intramuscular ketamine treatment,” shares Dr. Frasca, who started the practice to facilitate a new path of depression treatment that can set people free from the slavery of trauma.
“I’ve always known about ketamine and respect the power of these drugs,” adds Dr. Frasca. “It was FDA approved in 2019, and Spravato® is used predominantly when other medicines don’t work for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). We want to set people free – and, ultimately, my job is to work myself out of a job – where people don’t need us!”
The Mooresville Zen Psychiatric practice is a convenient location for Lake Norman area residents. Heading up their team is Dr. Brian Lewis, who graduated from medical school at the University of Missouri, Kansas City in 2001 and completed a residency in psychiatry at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. Since 2016, Dr. Lewis has also been affiliated with Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte where he met Dr. Frasca.
Dr. Lewis is joined by two rotating nurses and nurse practitioner Rodney Wike. Crucial for the overall Spravato® experience, the staff has been carefully selected for their psychiatric training and sincere love for impeccable care.
Based on a three-month game plan, treatments are administered twice a week for the first month, once a week for the second month and every other week by the third month.
Dr. Frasca shares that first time patients are excited but nervous. When their second appointment rolls around, they’re a bit less nervous. A session begins with the patient completing a questionnaire designed to monitor the severity of their depression symptoms, followed by a check of current medications and any previous dependency. Returning patients are asked what they remember most from their previous visit and if anything has changed in their life since that time. The peak of the Spravato® event occurs about 45 minutes after being administered, with the plateau lasting five to 15 minutes. In roughly 90 minutes, the patient feels clearheaded again, and vital signs are taken.
“We do a half-hour debriefing after that, before patients are turned over to their driver – a friend or family member,” Dr. Frasca explains. “That part of the treatment is non-negotiable, due to requirements set forth by the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program, which mandates rules for certified treatment centers.”
After 14 treatments, personal results are 50/50 – split between patients who believe they are okay but choose to make another appointment, knowing they can cancel – and others who fully believe they are okay to move forward.
“I love being part of people getting well, and ketamine has been proven by decades of science to wake up brain cells,” shares Dr. Frasca. “When depressed, brain cells don’t want to do anything at all – you just keep thinking the same thoughts. Treatment can make you want to make new connections and renew old ones. We absolutely love when we can ‘graduate’ our patients from treatment!”
“We’ve treated patients up to 84 years of age, but we emphasize Spravato® is not appropriate for anyone under the age of 18,” Dr. Frasca shares. While the intranasal ketamine treatments gained recognition in 2022 and 2023 as people began to see a true difference in family members suffering with depression, keep in mind any treatment is never “one size fits all,” and side effects are closely monitored by trained staff.
The newest Zen Psychiatric Services practice is located at 137 Professional Park Drive, Suite D, Mooresville, NC, 828.608.0892. In an initial call, one of their professionals will determine if you’re a good fit for treatment and will schedule an in-person consultation. You’ll provide contact information for your primary care physician, where Dr. Lewis will obtain details of your current treatments, any potential drug interactions and have your doctor provide an official referral. Inquire about treatment at zenpsychiatric.com, or email [email protected]. Follow them on Instagram @zenpsychiatric. Office hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
(Testimonials)
“When I came to Zen Psychiatric, I was trapped in a dark place consumed with suicidal thoughts and overwhelming grief. From the very beginning, they became a lifeline. Their ketamine therapy has been transformative, but what’s truly saved me is the compassion, presence and unwavering support I’ve received from their entire team. Every single person I’ve encountered here has been everything I needed. They don’t just administer treatment, they sit with you, listen deeply and share in your pain until you feel less alone. They remind me I am cared for, I am loved and my life matters. That kind of care is rare, and I want to acknowledge Dr. Frasca, who had the courage to step away from the norms of traditional psychiatry.”
“Since my early teens, I’ve struggled with suicidal rumination and treatment-resistant depression. As an adult living with innumerable issues, my life basically stopped in its tracks with the label of CPTSD. My journey began with an amazing trauma therapist, and during those years, my eyes were beginning to open and faith was restored. Unfortunately, she left the practice, and I was forced to find a new therapist. During this time, I discovered Spravato®. My first treatment completely stopped the suicidal rumination – I cried and let out so many emotions during the beginning – all part of the healing process. Spravato® gives me the ability to experience a deep empathy and understanding of my past traumatic experiences, which allows me to clearly separate feelings from facts in my daily life.”
