Ketamine Therapy: What Mormon Wives Got Right & Wrong

A recent episode of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives on Hulu gave viewers a raw look at ketamine therapy. Cast members Jen and Zac turned to it as a last resort to repair their relationship, while others opened up about using it to heal from trauma and depression. The episode struck a nerve—especially among viewers unfamiliar with how ketamine works in a medical setting.

If you're in the Chestnut Hill area and curious about ketamine therapy, here’s what the show got right, what it glossed over, and how it's safely administered at Wave Treatment Centers.

What Is Ketamine Therapy?

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that, in low doses, can help patients with treatment-resistant depression and other mood disorders. The version portrayed on TV involved IV drips and lounge chairs- At Wave Treatment Centers, we have 1:1 direct care with our nurse (R.N) throughout the treatment process.

Additionally, Wave Treatment Centers uses Spravato, an FDA-approved nasal spray form of ketamine. It’s given under direct medical supervision and paired with ongoing psychiatric care.

In either form, this therapy helps "reset" thought patterns by promoting new connections in the brain. Patients often report feeling more emotionally open and reflective during treatment—something the Mormon Wives episode showed, even if dramatized.

The Hulu episode wasn’t far off in a few areas:

• Some patients do feel a mental reset. People often describe a shift in how they think and feel after treatment.
• It's a last-resort option for many. Patients turn to ketamine when other approaches— oral medication, psychotherapy, or both—haven’t worked though it may not be necessary to suffer through those treatment trials and getting evaluated by the staff at Wave Treatment Centers should not be delayed; they can tell you during the first visit if you are a candidate for this treatment option.
• The emotional impact is real. The show captured how deeply ketamine can help people connect with their emotions and begin healing.
  

What the Show Left Out

That said, there were key details missing:

• The therapy shown lacked medical oversight. Ketamine treatment should always be monitored by medical professionals. That wasn’t clear in the episode.
• They didn’t mention Spravato. The FDA-approved version used in clinical settings like Wave is different from what was implied onscreen.
• It’s more than just a session—it’s a plan. At Wave Chestnut Hill, ketamine isn’t a standalone option. It’s part of a personalized mental health strategy built with psychiatric guidance and support.
  

Why Supervision Matters

At Wave Treatment Centers, patients undergo a full psychiatric evaluation before beginning treatment. Ketamine or Spravato is administered in a quiet, controlled space. Sessions are monitored by trained professionals who check in throughout the process to ensure safety, emotional well-being, and medical stability.

After the session, patients are observed until they’re cleared to leave. Follow-up care is part of the plan to track outcomes and provide support.

Ketamine Therapy at Wave Chestnut Hill

If you’ve seen the headlines or the Hulu episode and are wondering if ketamine might help you, it’s worth having a conversation with a professional. At Wave Chestnut Hill, you’ll be cared for by board-certified psychiatrists who understand the science, the risks, and the potential benefits.

This isn’t a trend—it’s a carefully guided medical treatment for people who haven’t found relief with traditional therapies.