Top Depression Clinic Near Los Angeles
Break the cycle of depression with ketamine infusion, stellate ganglion block (SGB) and more cutting-edge treatments.
Treat depression with a new approach
Why Stella Center
Biological Treatments
We focus on effective alternative treatments to conventional solutions like therapy and medication to bring the most transformative relief
Multi-modality Care
We address persisting symptoms of depression with a combination of ketamine infusion therapy, DSR SGB and integration therapy. Your treatment plan will be designed just for you.
Advanced Protocols
We pair our biological treatments with integration therapies during the short window of healing following treatment to maximize outcomes and facilitate transformation and growth.
Covered by Insurance
Our intake assessments and telehealth sessions are covered by most insurances. To verify your insurance eligibility, please call our care advocate team.
IV Ketamine for Depression
Create Healthy Thought Patterns with Ketamine Infusion Therapy
Ketamine therapy can provide rapid and transformative relief from depression symptoms when other conventional treatments don't work. Unlike traditional antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs) that primarily affect serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine levels, ketamine works by blocking the NMDA receptor in the brain and interacting with brain neurotransmitters. By increasing the levels of glutamate in the brain, ketamine can strengthen neural communication as well as repair the damage caused by cortisol and other stress hormones. As a result, new insights and thought patterns can emerge and replace the negative thought patterns that kept individuals stuck in the cycle of depression.
In an intravenous (IV) infusion, ketamine is delivered directly into the bloodstream through a small needle placed in a vein in your arm. It is considered as the "gold standard" of delivering ketamine due to the easiness to control and adjust the dose based on the patients' history and on-site reactions. Compared to other delivery methods, IV ketamine administers medication in a more precise manner, and can take effect at a predictable time.
Stellate Ganglion Block
Address Anxiety & Trauma Symptoms with DSR SGB
At Stella, we don't see mental health conditions as just diagnosis and labels. Instead, we treat clusters of symptoms experienced by patients with an understanding of their history. We understand that depression may often stem from a history of trauma, and over half of individuals with depression also suffer from anxiety symptoms. Dual Sympathetic Reset (or DSR SGB) is an effective treatment for both anxiety and post-traumatic stress.
Dual Sympathetic Reset (DSR) is an advanced stellate ganglion block (SGB), an injection of anesthetic in the neck that targets a bundle of nerves that regulates the brain's fight-or-flight response. After exposed to traumatic events or stress, individuals' sympathetic nervous system can be stuck in an unregulated state, triggering overactive fight-or-flight responses. This can manifest as symptoms like hypervigilance, panic attacks, disrupted sleep, alleviated heart rate, and more.
Similar to turning on and off a computer, DSR SGB helps reset the nervous system to a baseline, therefore relieving the symptoms of anxiety and trauma.
Lipov EG, Jacobs R, Springer S, Candido KD, Knezevic NN. Utility of Cervical Sympathetic Block in Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Multiple Cohorts: A Retrospective Analysis. Pain Physician. 2022 Jan;25(1):77-85. PMID: 35051147. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35051147/
Lynch J, Mulvaney S, Bryan C, Hernandez D. Stellate Ganglion Block Reduces Anxiety Symptoms by Half: A Case Series of 285 Patients. J. Pers. Med. 2023, 13(6), 958; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm13060958
Integration Therapy by Stella
Maximize the Treatment Outcome with Integration Therapy
To maximize the therapeutic value of our ketamine and DSR SGB protocols, patients have the option to pair each treatment session with an Integration therapy session as part of our advanced treatment protocols. Integration therapy may be eligible for insurance coverage, depending on your insurance plan.
Patients are scheduled to meet with a Stella mental health provider virtually the day after their Ketamine infusion therapy or DSR SGB treatment. The purpose is to give our patients the best opportunity to integrate the effects and insights from the treatment through talk therapy.
Your Healing Journey at Stella
Step 1
Give us a call.
Learn about our treatment modalities and schedule an Intake Assessment with our mental health expert to determine if you are eligible for treatment by Stella.
Step 2
Complete your intake.
Meet with your Advanced Practice Provider, who will listen closely, ask questions and develop the most suitable and impactful treatment plan based on your symptoms and history.
Step 3
Schedule treatment
Our patient care team will work with you to schedule treatment, discuss what to expect, and assist with financing and payment options.
Step 4
Complete treatment.
We hold your hand throughout the treatment process. We'll follow up with you before, during and after treatment to support your progress and help optimize your treatment outcome.
Meet Our Team
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Dr. John How. MD
Board-Certified Medical Doctor
Dr. John How is a board-certified emergency medicine physician with over a decade of experience in the emergency department. He has a special interest in treating musculoskeletal and mental health conditions in people…
Dr. John How is a board-certified emergency medicine physician with over a decade of experience in the emergency department. He has a special interest in treating musculoskeletal and mental health conditions in people who work or live in high-stress jobs and environments.
Dr. How received his medical degree at Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California and completed a residency in emergency medicine at Ascension St. John Hospital in Michigan. He is particularly interested in the use of modern ultrasound to diagnose and guide treatment for various conditions.
Through extensive training with doctors in a range of specialties, Dr. How has developed expertise in precision ultrasound-guided interventions for conditions such as peripheral nerve entrapment and soft tissue injuries. In addition to running the Stella San Diego clinic, Dr. How is also passionate about teaching and has joined the clinical faculty for the primary care sports medicine fellowship at UHC SoCal MEC, where he focuses on ultrasound guided diagnosis and treatment and regenerative medicine. -
Dr. Shauna Springer
Chief Psychologist
Shauna 'Doc' Springer is a co-founder and the Chief Psychologist for Stella, a leading, trusted authority on innovative trauma treatments. Dr. Springer is responsible for developing Stella's trauma informed approach to…
Shauna 'Doc' Springer is a co-founder and the Chief Psychologist for Stella, a leading, trusted authority on innovative trauma treatments. Dr. Springer is responsible for developing Stella's trauma informed approach to care across its international network of more than 40 clinics. She leads training and public speaking engagements for Stella and is the host of the podcast "The Story of Our Trauma." She is a best-selling author of three books on trauma and is widely considered to be one of the world's leading experts on psychological trauma, military transition, suicide prevention, and close relationships.
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Sandra Cordova
Medical Office Administrator
Sandra is a dedicated and diligent healthcare administrator with over 12 years of experience in providing quality patient care, as well as in administration and management. She has served in a senior living community and…
Sandra is a dedicated and diligent healthcare administrator with over 12 years of experience in providing quality patient care, as well as in administration and management. She has served in a senior living community and has become a Certified Dementia Care Specialist. In addition to work, Sandra is is pursuing her career in the medical field. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, working out, and spending time with her friends and family.
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Evelyn Roth
Nurse Practitioner
Evelyn Roth is a Family Nurse Practitioner. She has made a career out of working closely with her community to better their quality of life through improved health. Evelyn has greatly enjoyed her time and experience…
Evelyn Roth is a Family Nurse Practitioner. She has made a career out of working closely with her community to better their quality of life through improved health. Evelyn has greatly enjoyed her time and experience working in the emergency, trauma, and urgent care setting for over 11 years. She has also specialized in Women's Health and is a strong advocate for improved access and further research into wellness and holistic care.
In her free time, you're likely to find her exploring the Sierras near her hometown, Ridgecrest, CA, or at a local park spending time with her husband and son. She looks forward to further expanding all that she has to provide in her service with Stella.
About Stella Irvine
Located in Irvine, CA, near the Los Angeles city, Stella Center Irvine is designed to bring dramatic healing through safe and effective alternative treatments like Ketamine Infusion therapy and DSR SGB. Our goal is to create a safe and empowering environment for those looking for relief from symptoms of emotional trauma and mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, PTSI/PTSD, and stress. Throughout your healing journey, our team of medical experts and mental health professionals will provide you with tools and support for your transformation towards a new life.
Address:
15785 Laguna Canyon Rd, Ste 125
Irvine, CA 92618
Hours:
Mon-Fri 9:00AM-5:00 PM
Get Started Today
This could be the first step of a life-changing transformation. Stella is here to guide your healing journey. Call Us today to learn about Stella's cutting-edge treatments, or book an intake assessment directly to get started.