If you’ve already tried antidepressants two or more times and depression persists, you may have treatment-resistant depression (TRD). TRD affects roughly 1 in 3 people who use antidepressants [1]. Spravato is a new treatment that was built for exactly this situation, and our Cool Springs clinic offers it with in-network insurance and a team that manages the whole process for you.
If you or someone who you love struggles with depression even after two or more medication attempts, schedule a free, 15-minute inquiry call with us today to learn more.
What is Spravato?
Spravato (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray that works on glutamate, a different brain pathway than the serotonin systems most antidepressants target. That’s why it can begin working in days rather than weeks. It was approved in 2019 for treatment-resistant depression and for depressive symptoms with acute suicidal thoughts or behavior. In January 2025, it became the first FDA-approved standalone option for treatment-resistant depression [2]. In simpler terms: it’s not another version of the medications that haven’t worked. It’s a different mechanism entirely.
Your Spravato journey in 4 steps
- Evaluation: a psychiatric and medical assessment at our Franklin clinic to confirm Spravato is a safe, appropriate fit, including blood pressure screening and a review of what you’ve already tried.
- Insurance and enrollment: we file the prior authorization, verify your benefits, and complete your REMS program enrollment.
- Induction: 2 supervised sessions per week for the first 4 weeks. Each visit, you self-administer the spray with our team present, then rest through the required 2-hour monitoring window [3]. Bring a driver; driving resumes the next day.
- Maintenance: sessions step down to weekly, then every 1 to 2 weeks, guided by symptom tracking at every visit.
How well does Spravato work?
Since 2023, Athena Care has successfully treated hundreds of patients with Spravato, with excellent results [i]:
- 91% of Athena Care patients had a clinically meaningful improvement in depressive symptoms and 80% had a clinically substantial improvement [ii]
- 64% of Athena Care patients had at least a 50% reduction in symptoms (“responders”)
- 41% of Athena Care patients achieved remission (symptom-free) [iii]
- On average, patient depression scores improved by 57%.
Side effects and safety
Around the session itself, the most common effects are dissociation, sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, and a temporary blood pressure rise; sedation occurred in roughly half of trial patients, which is why the supervised 2-hour window is mandatory [3]. Effects typically resolve the same day. Spravato isn’t recommended with aneurysmal blood vessel disease, arteriovenous malformation, a history of brain bleeding, or during pregnancy. Your prescriber covers all of it before your first dose, and rest assured, you’re fully monitored at every single session.
Meet our Chief Medical Officer
Athena Care’s Chief Medical Officer is the psychiatrist Dr. Amanda Sparks-Bushnell, M.D. She oversees Athena Care’s Spravato program.
Dr. Amanda Sparks-Bushnell is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist who maintains a heartfelt commitment to transformative leadership and patient well-being. Her career is marked by a passion for enhancing medical services, fostering collaboration, and ensuring the utmost care for those she serves.
Spravato vs ketamine infusions
Franklin has both on offer, sometimes from the same clinics, so here’s the plain-language difference. Spravato is the FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray, covered by most insurance. IV and IM ketamine use the parent molecule off-label, usually self-pay. Both have evidence behind them; coverage, logistics, and your history usually decide which fits. Athena Care offers both, so the recommendation you get is based on you, not on the only tool in the building. Visit this article to compare different advanced treatment options.
Cost and insurance in Franklin
Most major insurance plans cover Spravato for eligible patients. This means that, with commercial insurance, most people pay $10 per visit for the medication, plus any co-pay costs for an office visit. [6] Athena Care doesn’t offer self-pay options for Spravato.
Our Franklin clinic in Cool Springs
Athena Care Franklin is at 341 Cool Springs Boulevard, Suite 140, Franklin, TN 37067, just off I-65 with free parking, serving Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill, Nolensville, and greater Williamson County, Monday through Friday, 7am to 6pm.
Reach out through our Care Coordinators at 1-855-390-4357 or visit the Franklin clinic page to see the providers at this location.
Early morning, lunchtime and after-school availability
Athena Care’s Franklin clinic offers early morning, lunchtime and after-school time slots for Spravato patients. Contact our care team to learn more about current availability. Call or text us at 1-855-390-4357 to get started.
Frequently asked questions about Spravato in Franklin
How quickly can I start treatment?
From initial inquiry to beginning treatment, it usually takes 2-5 weeks. Call 1-855-390-4357 and we’ll map your timeline.
How long is each visit?
About 2.5 hours, dominated by the required 2-hour monitoring window.
Can I keep taking my current antidepressant?
Often yes. Many patients pair Spravato with their oral antidepressant, and since January 2025 it can also be prescribed alone. Your provider will help you determine the best option for you.
Why can’t I drive after a session?
Temporary drowsiness and dissociation. The FDA requires waiting until the next day, after restful sleep, before driving.
Is Spravato a controlled substance?
Yes, it’s a Schedule III medication, which is part of why it’s only administered in certified clinics under supervision and never sent home with you.
Contact us today
Visit Us
Address
341 Cool Springs Boulevard
Suite 140
Franklin, TN 37067
Phone: (615) 320-1155
Fax: (615) 320-1177
Hours
M-F 7:00am – 6:00pm
Languages
English, Español
[1] AJMC, TRANSFORM-2 Results on Esketamine Published, Along With Caveats (May 2019): https://www.ajmc.com/view/transform2-results-on-esketamine-published-along-with-caveats
[2] Johnson & Johnson, SPRAVATO (Esketamine) Approved in the U.S. as the First and Only Monotherapy for Adults With Treatment-Resistant Depression (Jan. 2025): https://www.jnj.com/media-center/press-releases/spravato-esketamine-approved-in-the-u-s-as-the-first-and-only-monotherapy-for-adults-with-treatment-resistant-depression
[3] U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), SPRAVATO (Esketamine) Nasal Spray Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and REMS requirements (revised Apr. 2025): https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/211243s019lbl.pdf
[4] Popova, V., et al., Efficacy and Safety of Flexibly Dosed Esketamine Nasal Spray Combined With a Newly Initiated Oral Antidepressant in Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Randomized Double-Blind Active-Controlled Study (TRANSFORM-2), American Journal of Psychiatry (2019): https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19020172
[5] Oliveira-Maia, A.J., et al., ICEBERG Study: An Indirect Adjusted Comparison Estimating the Long-Term Benefit of Esketamine Nasal Spray When Compared With Routine Treatment of Treatment Resistant Depression in General Psychiatry, Frontiers in Psychiatry, via PubMed Central (2023): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10669153/
[6] Johnson & Johnson, SPRAVATO withMe Affordability & Treatment Support, Spravato.com (2026): https://www.spravato.com/patient-support-program
[i] Athena Care results are based on the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores for patients completing at least 12 Spravato treatments. Improvement, response, and remission were determined using a 3-score rolling average. Thus, the “improved” score was based on a minimum of 3 scores (corresponding to a minimum of 3 weeks).
[ii]Research indicates that 6- and 12-point reductions in MADRS scores correspond, respectively, to a clinically meaningful improvement (1-point) and a clinically substantial (2-point) change on the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scale, which is a global measure of symptom severity (i.e., not specific to depression). Turkoz I, Alphs L, Singh J, Jamieson C, Daly E, Shawi M, Sheehan JJ, Trivedi MH, Rush AJ. Clinically meaningful changes on depressive symptom measures and patient-reported outcomes in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
[iii] Remission was defined as a MADRS score less than 12, which matches the definition utilized in the Spravato clinical trials.