Conditions we treat
All treatmentsAbout Avesta Ketamine and Wellness
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 on to learn about our history and the people behind it.
No referral needed · We check your benefits up front
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.
Four commitments we hold ourselves to in every consultation and every session.
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.
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.
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.
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, the District of Columbia and Virginia, we've seen a full spectrum of cases and are determined to do the best we can for you. This is the Avesta promise.
Founder & Co-CEO · Georgetown University faculty
Dr. Eshkevari led a study with her Georgetown graduate students published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, supporting ketamine therapy for people living with treatment-resistant depression. She sets the clinical protocols used at every Avesta clinic.
Avesta's history is intertwined with the history of ketamine for mental health in the United States.
Synthesized 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.
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.
Mounting evidence studying ketamine's effect on symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD and chronic pain.
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. She subsequently led Georgetown's nationally ranked Nurse Anesthesia program as Program Director.
Having previously practiced out of shared office space, Avesta opens its first stand-alone location in Northern Virginia.
J&J achieves FDA approval for the ketamine-derived compound esketamine, or Spravato, administered as a nasal spray. Avesta begins offering Spravato to its patients.
Bethesda quickly becomes the premier clinic for ketamine infusions in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Located in Dupont Circle, Avesta's third clinic allows residents of Washington, D.C. to easily access the clinic by foot and Metro.
The clinic increases partnerships with trained ketamine therapists and coaches in the region to increase service and support options for its patients.
The 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.
In an effort to expand access for patients, Avesta is now in-network with Cigna and billing for UnitedHealthcare and Aetna.
Meet our team of experts.
Intravenous infusions for depression, anxiety, and pain.
Learn moreFDA-approved nasal spray for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Learn moreTherapy combined with Ketamine for deeper healing
Learn moreGuidance to process and integrate ketamine experiences
Learn moreNutrient-rich intravenous infusions for wellness support
Learn moreLocations
Every Avesta location is staffed by a licensed clinician for every session.
Amy GutierrezAugust 18, 2026BethesdaGoogle
Wendy LaffermanSeptember 25, 2026ColumbiaGoogle
Kate GowingAugust 2, 2026Norfolk/Virginia BeachGoogle
Spencer AgostiniAugust 2, 2026TysonsGoogle
Matthew ConnorsSeptember 10, 2026Washington DCGoogle
Paul ThompsonJuly 3, 2026BethesdaGoogle
Toby KatesAugust 2, 2026ColumbiaGoogle
Carole WilkinsFebruary 10, 2026TysonsGoogle
Elsa AlaswadJuly 18, 2026Washington DCGoogle
D SMay 3, 2026BethesdaGoogle
Carolyn ErwinAugust 1, 2026ColumbiaGoogle
B CJanuary 16, 2026TysonsGoogleAnnouncements, webinars and features from the team behind innovative ketamine care.
Take the first step toward improving your mental, emotional and physical health. Speak with one of Avesta's specialists to find out whether you are an ideal candidate.
