At Salish Ketamine, we believe in a holistic approach to wellness. We offer innovative ketamine therapy alongside aesthetic medicine treatments, empowering you to feel your best from the inside out.
Our team of experts are board-certified and utilizes ketamine infusions to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, and OCD. We prioritize patient comfort and safety, creating a supportive environment for your journey towards mental and emotional well-being.
Patients will have their IV’s placed under ultrasound guidance for their comfort and to reduce the number of needle sticks.
Dr. Nate Stephens
Dr. Nate Stephens is a board-certified emergency physician and founder of Salish Ketamine in Bellingham, WA. With over 13 years of experience in emergency medicine and advanced training in ketamine therapy, Dr. Stephens is passionate about providing evidence-based, integrative treatments for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. He has completed specialized training through the American Society of Ketamine Physicians and the Integrative Psychiatry Institute, blending traditional medical expertise with a whole-person, integrative approach to care.
Dr. Stephens is a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians and currently a member of the medical staff at PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s Medical Center. He is also a faculty member at Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and has trained U.S. Military Special Forces medics. Known for his compassionate, patient-centered care, Dr. Stephens is committed to advancing mental health outcomes through the safe and effective use of ketamine therapy within a collaborative, holistic framework.
Dr. Raj Jayarama
I’m a board-certified emergency physician with 25 years of experience, currently practicing at St. Joseph Emergency Department and Skagit Valley Hospital, where I’ve served as Medical Director of the Emergency Department for the past six years. I completed my residency training in New Jersey and went on to pursue an ultrasound fellowship in Charlotte, North Carolina.
In addition to emergency medicine, I also work in an integrative medicine clinic—an experience I deeply value. I believe in the powerful connection between mind and body, and in the importance of treating both to promote true healing.
Now based in Bellingham, Washington, I recharge by exploring the local trails on my mountain bike. Before medicine, I played rugby for 12 years, and I still carry that same spirit of grit, camaraderie, and resilience into everything I do.
Erica Stephens
Erica is the dedicated clinic manager at Salish Ketamine in Bellingham, WA. Originally from Tampa, FL, she moved to Bellingham with Dr. Stephens and fell in love with the area. Erica enjoys a variety of activities outside of work, including gardening, traveling, and volunteering at her son’s school. Her passion is helping patients achieve their goals, and she brings this commitment to her role at the clinic.
Emergency Medicine Experience
As an emergency physician, Dr. Stephens has extensive experience administering ketamine for procedural sedation, rapid sequence intubation, and acute pain management. This familiarity with ketamine’s pharmacology, dosing, and effects in emergent situations provides a strong foundation for using it safely and effectively in a clinical setting for other indications like treatment-resistant depression or chronic pain.
Rapid Assessment and Triage
Emergency medicine requires quickly assessing patients, triaging cases based on acuity, and initiating appropriate treatment plans. This skill set translates well to evaluating candidates for ketamine therapy, identifying potential contraindications or risk factors, and determining suitable dosing regimens.
Managing Acute Adverse Effects
Dr. Stephens training has prepared him to promptly recognize and manage potential acute adverse effects associated with ketamine administration, such as emergence reactions, hemodynamic instability, or respiratory depression. His expertise in airway management and resuscitation is invaluable for ensuring patient safety during ketamine infusions or injections.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
The fast-paced emergency department environment necessitates close collaboration between physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other staff. This experience likely facilitates Dr. Stephens ability to work cohesively with psychotherapists and others involved in delivering comprehensive ketamine-assisted psychotherapy services.
