We’re honored to share that Valor Health Solutions was recently featured on WCYB News 5 for our ketamine-assisted therapy program in Johnson City, Tennessee. The segment, reported by Samantha Allen, highlighted our structured, medically supervised approach to treatment, and the real patients whose lives have been changed by it.
▶ Watch the Full WCYB News 5 Segment
What the News Coverage Showed
Ketamine-assisted therapy is gaining national attention as a treatment option for people struggling with severe depression, PTSD, chronic pain, and trauma, particularly when traditional medications and therapies haven’t provided lasting relief. WCYB’s coverage put a spotlight on what that looks like in practice at our Johnson City clinic.
Our Director of Clinical Services, Nikki Roberts, explained in the segment that our approach is intentionally structured: patients receive ketamine treatment under direct medical supervision while simultaneously participating in guided therapy sessions. This isn’t about a quick fix — it’s about creating a window for real therapeutic work to happen.
As Nikki described it, patients come in for treatment for conditions like chronic pain and mood disorders, and they receive therapy alongside the IV infusion — not as separate, disconnected appointments.
Real Patients, Real Stories
The most powerful part of the segment came from the patients themselves.
Stephen Brower, a retired veteran from North Carolina, shared his experience living with catatonia, a severe neuropsychiatric condition affecting normal movement, along with chronic pain from multiple spinal surgeries. Stephen has been traveling to our Johnson City clinic for treatment because ketamine therapy has given him meaningful relief that other approaches couldn’t. He credited the treatment with helping manage pain that he described as constant and debilitating.
Jennifer Gray told her story of seeking help after unimaginable loss, her son accidentally took his own life while cleaning his firearm. Jennifer described how PTSD from that trauma affected every part of her daily life, and how ketamine-assisted therapy helped her begin to process her grief. She shared that the treatment allowed her to look at family photos in her home again without being overwhelmed by the trauma of what happened. Her message was clear: you can look fine on the outside while struggling deeply on the inside, and there is help available.
Stories like Stephen’s and Jennifer’s are why we do this work. They’re a reminder that behind every consultation, every treatment session, there’s a person who has often been through years of suffering before finding something that helps.
Why Ketamine Therapy Is Gaining Traction
For decades, the standard approach to treatment-resistant depression and PTSD has involved cycling through medications, often for months or years, hoping to find the right combination. Many patients, especially veterans and first responders who carry complex trauma, reach a point where they feel like they’ve tried everything.
Ketamine works differently. Rather than targeting serotonin or norepinephrine like traditional antidepressants, ketamine acts on the brain’s glutamate system and promotes neuroplasticity, essentially helping the brain form new neural connections. When paired with guided therapy (as we do at Valor Health), patients are often able to process trauma and shift thought patterns in ways that weren’t accessible before.
This is why the VA has developed national protocols for IV ketamine treatment through Community Care, and why we’re proud to be an approved provider for veterans navigating that process. Learn more about our VA referral process →
How We Approach Treatment at Valor Health
Every patient who comes to Valor Health starts with a comprehensive consultation, a thorough review of your medical history, mental health background, current symptoms, and treatment goals. We don’t prescribe ketamine to everyone who walks in. We evaluate whether it’s the right fit, and if it is, we build a structured plan around your specific situation.
Our treatment model includes:
- IV ketamine infusions administered under licensed medical supervision in a private, comfortable setting
- Guided therapy sessions integrated directly with treatment, not offered as a separate afterthought
- At-home oral ketamine therapy for appropriate patients seeking a flexible option with clinical oversight
- Ongoing monitoring and integration support to help sustain progress between sessions
Whether you’re a veteran dealing with PTSD, a first responder carrying the weight of the job, a family member supporting someone who serves, or anyone struggling with treatment-resistant depression, chronic pain, or anxiety, we’re here to help you figure out the right next step.
Limited-Time Offer
Start Your Wellness Journey With Us
We’re making it easier than ever to take the first step. For a limited time, new patients can take advantage of exclusive savings:
- ✦ Complimentary Consultation – a $350 value, on us
- ✦ 25% Off All Series Packages – invest in lasting results
- ✦ Complimentary Myers Cocktail Infusion with any series package for our Tampa / Clearwater area clients
Offer valid for new patients. Subject to clinical eligibility. See full pricing details →
Two Locations to Serve You
Valor Health Solutions offers ketamine-assisted therapy at two clinic locations:
Tennessee
Johnson City, TN
As featured on WCYB News 5. Serving veterans, first responders, and the Tri-Cities community.
Florida
Clearwater, FL
Serving the Tampa Bay area with the same veteran-owned, compassion-driven care.
Ready to Take the First Step?
If you’ve been thinking about ketamine therapy, or if you watched the WCYB segment and recognized your own story in Stephen’s or Jennifer’s words, we’d be honored to talk with you. A consultation is the first step, and right now, it’s on us.
Disclaimer: This blog post references a news segment produced by WCYB News 5. Patient experiences described are based on publicly shared statements and are individual results; outcomes vary. Ketamine therapy requires clinical evaluation and is not appropriate for everyone. This content is for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. If you are in crisis, call 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
