Who We Are

Under Dr. Ladan Eshkevari's leadership, Avesta Ketamine and Wellness is the Premier Ketamine Infusion Therapy clinic in Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Read more to learn about our history. 

Dr. Ladan Eshkevari smiling in front of desk at Avesta Ketamine and Wellness infusion clinic in DC, Virginia, and Maryland

The Avesta Difference

The highest safety standards. We understand you and your background thoroughly before you come in for treatment. We spend time educating you so that you can make the most informed decisions for your health.

Expert understanding. We’re not casual with your mental and physical health – we keep up with the latest research and rely on our expert understanding of the pharmacology of Ketamine to provide safe, effective, evidence-based personal care.

Proactive coordinated care. We’re firm believers that coordination across your wider health team is key to helping you achieve your best results. Ketamine is cutting-edge treatment with many misconceptions; we believe in educating your care providers, too.

An emphasis on integration beyond the medicine. Results rely on more than your Ketamine infusions. Are you willing to dig deeper and do the work? 

Giving you our all in every interaction. As the Premier, Longest-Standing Ketamine Clinic in Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia, we’ve seen a full spectrum of cases and are determined to do our best we can for you. This is the Avesta promise. 

Our Origins

Where We Started

Avesta's history is intertwined within the history of Ketamine for Mental Health in the United States

  1. Ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic

    Synethesized in 1962, Ketamine is approved around the time of the Vietnam War, is quickly adopted in ERs, and by 1985 is listed on the WHO's list of Essential Medicines.   

  2. First report of Ketamine's antidepressant efficacy 

    Yale's School of Medicine publishes the first randomized controlled trial to demonstrate Ketamine's antidepressant effects. Researchers showed that a single dose of ketamine, less than what would be given for anesthesia, improved depression—and in some cases led to a near complete recovery—in less than 24 hours

  3. Ketamine studied in earnest 

    Mounting evidence studying Ketamine's effect on symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD and chronic pain

  4. Dr. Ladan Eshkevari introduces Ketamine protocol to Virginia, DC, Maryland

    At the time a Professor at Georgetown University, Dr. Eshkevari drew on research studies and clinical experience to devise ketamine protocols for mental health and chronic pain, becoming one of the first providers in the Nation to offer this treatment. Dr. Eshkevari subsequently led Georgetown's nationally-ranked Nurse Anesthesia program as Program Director.

  5. Avesta Ketamine and Wellness opens in McLean, Virginia

    Having previously practiced out of shared office space, Avesta opens its first stand-alone location in Northern Virginia.

  6. Spravato comes to market; Avesta Ketamine and Wellness begins to offer Spravato

    J&J achieves FDA-approval for ketamine-derived compound Esketamine, or Spravato, administered in nasal spray format. Avesta Ketamine and Wellness begins offering Spravato for its patients. 

  7. Avesta Ketamine and Wellness opens in Bethesda, Maryland 

    Bethesda quickly becomes the premier clinic for Ketamine infusions in Montgomery County, Maryland.

  8. Avesta Ketamine and Wellness opens in Washington, D.C.

    Located in Dupont Circle, Avesta's third clinic allows residents of Washington, D.C. to easily access the clinic by foot and Metro.

  9. Avesta Ketamine and Wellness expands offerings to include Coaching and Therapy options

    Clinic increases partnerships with trained ketamine therapists and coaches in the region to increase service and support options for its patients.

  10. Avesta Ketamine and Wellness becomes in-network with the Veterans Affairs

    Clinic is approved as a VA Community Care Clinic in early 2024 to increase options for Veterans living close to its clinics in Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C and surrounding states.

  11. Avesta Ketamine and Wellness begins to work with Commercial Payers

    In an effort to expand access for patients, Avesta is now in-network with Cigna and billing for United Healthcare and Aetna.

Our Wellness Leaders

Our Avesta Leadership

Meet Our Team of Experts

See the Rest of the Team

Treatments tailored to your needs

Visit Avesta for IV Ketamine, Spravato, and more

Our Treatments Do More Than Manage Your Symptoms

  • Results are beyond my expectations.
  • The staff is incredibly caring, attentive, and thorough
  • I wish I would have done this sooner.
  • I feel like I have a new outlook on life, and I feel free.
  •  Ketamine treatments offered at Avesta have been life-changing and wonderful for me
  • my friends noticed a change
  • I feel more happiness and peace than I have in a very long time
  • Avesta Ketamine treatment has truly given me my life back. 
  • Outstanding experience
  •  even the small improvements in his daily demeanor have genuinely shocked me, and even brought my wife to tears

What People Say About Us

Everyone here is really great. They really take great care of you. They anticipate your needs perfectly—they must have it down to a science

Matthew Eley June 10, 2025

If I could give Avesta 10 stars I would. The staff is amazing. I have chronic pain and the infusions are what I need do to help with my disease. I would highly recommend them!

Rachel Smith June 7, 2025

I have nothing but excellent things to say about Avesta. I found them on google and they had good reviews. From the initial call, to the intake, all the communication and timely and informative responses to the actual treatment exceeded my expectations. Sam was my nurse and his bedside manner was amazing. The chairs were great, they included lavender and Sam suggested adding magnesium. I would recommend Avesta to anyone seeking a transformative experience.

Gail Karanosky June 5, 2025

Everyone working here is very pleasant. They remembered my name and what essential oils I like etc after just a few visits! The treatment is honestly life changing and I highly recommend it.

Hannah Burkhardt June 5, 2025

Avesta is amazing and has helped me improve my health tremendously. Not only is everyone professional, but every single person there is comforting, accommodating, and empathetic. I cannot say enough about how much my life has changed for the better. I am so grateful and unequivocally recommend Avesta to everyone!

I was referred here by my pain management doctor when I didn’t tolerate ketamine infusions well at her office, physically or emotionally. Avesta networks with coaches and trauma therapists so I tried again at a mood infusion dose with a coach for the first few treatments and between the protocol to abstain from eating and drinking for a set amount of time prior to infusion (while respecting my disautonomia needs) and the reassurance of the coach, I’ve successfully completed the recommended series for me and am in maintenance mode right now with improvements in mood, anxiety/PTSD reactions as well as improvements in pain and hypersensitive nerves. The owner and staff are knowledgeable and warm people. The clinic is clean, peaceful, safe and serene. I would recommend Avesta to anyone in need of their services. They’re ethical and truly helpful. I appreciate them for all they’ve done for me.

An incredibly calm and pleasant place with kind stuff, a great environment for the infusion and healing

Alex Bachman June 5, 2025

Always collaborative and effective when I refer folks here.

Lisa Kays June 5, 2025

We Focus On Healing

At Avesta, we are committed to changing lives with evidence-based ketamine treatments in a safe, patient-centered environment. Patient care is our sole focus.

Start Your Healing Journey

Take the first step toward improving your mental, emotional and physical health. Speak with one of Avesta's specialists to determine if you are an ideal candidate.

Recent Avesta Blog Posts

Learn more about Ketamine Therapy and Avesta's powerful treatments