Connecticut clinicians expand mental health care services together

Two health care practitioners in Connecticut have teamed up to enhance mental health services. Yvette Bunting-Watts, a licensed professional counselor, runs Centerpiece Behavioral Health Services. Esha Bhardwaj is a psychiatric nurse practitioner and founder of Wholistic Perspectives. Together, they aim to provide comprehensive care under one roof. They are now introducing esketamine, a nasal spray approved by the FDA for adults with treatment-resistant depression. This is a first for a non-hospital clinic in Central Connecticut. Esketamine can act quickly to relieve depression, unlike traditional treatments which often take longer to show effects. Bunting-Watts founded Centerpiece in 2017, and she and Bhardwaj have been collaborating since 2018. Their goal is to combine their expertise and offer innovative therapies, including the option of ketamine-assisted treatment. They believe this is crucial in their fight against rising levels of depression in society. The practitioners emphasize the importance of thorough evaluations to ensure esketamine is appropriate for each patient. This includes reviewing medical histories and assessing individual needs. Bhardwaj highlights that Spravato, the brand name for esketamine, is an evidence-based treatment often covered by insurance. Patients are monitored for two hours after receiving treatment in a comfortable, private area. Many report feeling emotions they had not experienced in a long time, helping them reconnect with joy. Bunting-Watts expressed excitement about expanding treatment options and reaffirmed the mission of providing compassionate and innovative care. They believe ketamine-assisted therapy offers new hope to those struggling with mental health challenges.