Revitalizing minds and renewing lives
By Like Media Team
Seeking wellness through meaningful experience, North Idaho Ketamine and TMS is Coeur d'Alene's original ketamine infusion clinic offering ketamine, Spravato, TMS and CTK (combined TMS and ketamine therapy). Here, owner John M. Thurston, MD, is changing lives for the better through the clinic’s treatments.
“Hearing the life changing accounts from people who go through these treatments will always be inspiring,” he says.
John completed his residency training in psychiatry at Eastern Virginia Medical School and is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He has worked in addiction psychiatry, inpatient, outpatient, consultation-liaison and forensics. After completing his residency in 2017, John has consistently maintained a small side practice of therapy patients, and in 2021, he opened TMHCare (Tranquil Mind Health Care) in Coeur d’Alene, now North Idaho Ketamine and TMS. He has been dedicated to the field of interventional psychiatry, which includes ketamine, Spravato and TMS — and continues to explore integrating different therapeutic modalities with these treatments.
“I had my first ketamine treatment in 2019, and for me it was eye opening,” John recalls.
“I felt inspired to share this experience and find ways to make it even more therapeutic, which led to the expansion of TMHCare and the eventual creation of North Idaho Ketamine and TMS.”
As John shares, the vast majority of ketamine clinics are owned and operated by providers with very little or no mental health training. As a psychiatrist, he meets with every patient for a 90-minute evaluation, discussing what has been tried, what has helped, what hasn’t, and how to get the most out of treatment.
“The evaluation is diagnostic, and hopefully therapeutic,” John adds. “I consider myself a psychodynamically oriented psychiatrist, which influences my approach to mental health and healing.”
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic used as a successful treatment for depression and pain management. TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) is FDA approved for depression and covered by most insurances. Spravato is esketamine delivered by nasal inhalation, and insurance will cover the treatment for medical necessity related to treatment-resistant depression.
“We have provided ketamine treatments to people from all walks of life. Some are suffering from pain —physical and / or emotional. Some feel that something is missing or that they could improve in some way. Some have found ketamine to be helpful in overcoming grief, bereavement, trauma, addiction or physical damage, and some are just curious,” notes John.
“The ketamine community at large is a wonderful group of courageous, passionate and sincere individuals. There is a sense of inclusivity that rises above feelings of competition.”
John and his team have committed themselves to developing a community where they are a healing presence for each other and extend that to everyone who walks through their door.
“As we continue to grow and add new members of the team, I have found a growing family, trust, beautiful support and love that has become a reward all its own.”
At North Idaho Ketamine and TMS, John ensures they focus on quality of care over quantity of care. They never overbook or double-book any appointments — so when you make an appointment with them, their team is consistent, on time and able to provide what is needed.
They work with many veterans and first responders, and provide ketamine and TMS treatments to veterans in the Patriot Power Up Program, a local residential treatment program focused on treating PTSD and TBI. Active with Big Tent Ketamine and The American Society of Ketamine Practitioners (ASKP3), John is also the director of Voyage Foundation, a nonprofit organization specifically for the ethical advancement of ketamine therapies and a way to grow the community around ketamine treatment. He has published the “Ketamine Journey Manual,” which can be found at VoyageFoundation.com.
“Some people, myself included, feel a strong pull to share their experiences with others following a ketamine treatment,” John remarks.
“Voyage Foundation is not clinical; it’s just people coming together to share. We have collaborated with other therapists, doctors, sound healers, aromatherapist, acupuncturists, yoga instructors, massage therapists and chiropractors — just to name some of the professionals that come immediately to mind. Ketamine treatment is a wonderful adjunct and is complementary to many modalities of healing. We are always looking for ways to expand and assist.”
For more information regarding the treatments offered through North Idaho Ketamine and TMS, John encourages you to call or text 208.215.7936, or submit a request via their website, NorthIdahoKetamine.com.
North Idaho Ketamine and TMS
250 Northwest Boulevard, Suite 200 Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
208.215.7936
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