At PointHealth Clinic’s PointKetamine program, patients in Encino and Agoura Hills have access to compassionate, science-driven mental health care led by Dr. Todd P. Hill, M.D., a board-certified psychiatrist with a deep commitment to improving lives through innovative approaches like ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP). This article explores Dr. Hill’s background, his approach to mental health, and why patients trust him with their care.
Who Is Dr. Todd P. Hill, M.D.?
Dr. Todd P. Hill is a psychiatrist specializing in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and holistic mental health care. With years of experience treating complex mood disorders, Dr. Hill brings a patient-centered, evidence-based mindset to every treatment plan.
Board-certified in psychiatry
Expert in mood disorders, including major depression, clinical depression, and severe depression.
Expert in mood disorders, trauma, and anxiety
Trained in modern therapeutic approaches including KAP
Dedicated to personalized, compassionate patient care
Mood disorders primarily affect emotional states and can impact life, behavior, and daily functioning. Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, are common and can affect anyone, including children, adolescents, and adults.
Dr. Hill combines medical expertise with empathetic support, guiding patients through both assessment and recovery with clarity and care. His holistic approach considers environmental factors and childhood experiences when assessing and treating mood disorders.
What Is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is a cutting-edge therapeutic model combining the rapid mood-lifting effects of ketamine with structured psychotherapy. Traditional treatments for mood disorders, such as talk therapy, medication, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), often take several weeks to provide relief from depression symptoms. In contrast, KAP can provide rapid relief from depressive symptoms and related disorders, including substance use disorders. KAP is particularly effective for individuals who have not responded to multiple conventional therapies and is being used in private clinics for a variety of disorders, fulfilling an unmet clinical need for effective treatment. KAP has been trialed as a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and can lead to therapeutic breakthroughs at a faster rate than traditional talk therapy, allowing patients to uncover repressed memories and face previously unbearable emotions. The combination of ketamine and psychotherapy has been found to initiate and prolong clinically significant reductions in pain, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, and can improve treatment engagement and adherence, as rapid reductions in anxiety and depression are associated with lower drop-out rates. The therapeutic effects of KAP may be enhanced by the psychedelic experiences induced by ketamine, which can foster emotional learning and reduce defensiveness.
Dr. Hill integrates psychotherapy with ketamine dosing in a controlled, supportive environment to maximize therapeutic benefit and minimize risk.
Why Patients Choose Dr. Hill at PointKetamine
Personalized Treatment Plans
Every patient is unique. Under Dr. Hill’s care, treatment plans are tailored to:
Mental health history
Current symptoms
Therapeutic goals
Environmental factors and childhood experiences
Dr. Hill also evaluates the impact of drugs and medication on mental health, and may recommend low dose ketamine or other dosing strategies depending on the patient’s related disorders.
Evidence-Based Practice
Dr. Hill stays at the forefront of psychiatric research, ensuring treatments are grounded in science, safety, and real-world outcomes. He relies on the latest systematic reviews and systematic narrative reviews in the field of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy to inform his practice. Additionally, Dr. Hill references research and guidelines from the National Institute of Mental Health to ensure all treatments are evidence-based.
Safe, Supportive Environment
PointKetamine sessions are conducted in a calming clinical setting where patients feel supported physically and emotionally throughout their journey.
How Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Works at PointHealth Clinic
Initial psychiatric evaluationDr. Hill meets with patients to understand their history, symptoms, and goals.
Customized treatment planningA tailored program — including dosing schedule, therapy sessions, and integration work — is developed.
Ketamine dosing sessionsUnder medical supervision, patients receive ketamine on an outpatient basis in a structured setting. The medication can be administered as lozenges, nasal spray, or injections. Patients typically lie down in a quiet room, sometimes with relaxing music or an eye mask, and are guided by a therapist throughout the experience. The timing of psychotherapy can vary, with therapy sometimes occurring on the same day as ketamine administration, before, during, or after dosing. KAP has been trialed for chronic pain, neuropathic pain, complex regional pain syndrome, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders.
Psychotherapy integrationDr. Hill guides patients through processing insights gained during sessions. Integrating psychotherapy after ketamine administration may help prolong therapeutic effects and assist in the integration of insights gained during treatment.
This blend of medicine + therapy helps patients move beyond symptom suppression toward meaningful, long-term change.
Conditions Treated With Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
Dr. Hill uses ketamine-assisted psychotherapy to support patients with:
Treatment-resistant depression
Major depression
Clinical depression
Severe depression
Persistent depressive disorder
Depressive episodes
PTSD and trauma-related conditions
Anxiety disorders
Bipolar depression (in select cases)
Related disorders, including substance use disorders and chronic pain
Suicidal ideation under careful supervision
KAP is used for patients with severe depression, clinical depression, and those experiencing depressive episodes, especially when other treatments have not provided relief. Symptoms of depression often include feeling sad or hopeless, trouble sleeping, and difficulty with thinking, memory, eating, and sleeping. Bipolar disorder causes intense shifts in mood, energy, and behavior, and racing thoughts are a common symptom, particularly during mood swings. Mood disorders can cause changes in behavior and affect the ability to perform daily activities, and may raise the risk of suicide, especially when substance abuse is present. Approximately 7% of adults in the US have depression, 2.8% have bipolar disorder, and major depression is twice as likely to affect women.
Each plan focuses on safety, support, and measurable progress.
Side Effects and Risks of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
While ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) offers hope for individuals struggling with treatment resistant depression, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions, it’s important to be aware of the potential side effects and risks associated with this innovative treatment.
Common side effects of ketamine can include mild dissociation (a sense of detachment from reality), dizziness, nausea, increased blood pressure, and temporary changes in perception or mood. These effects are usually short-lived and closely monitored by trained professionals during each session to ensure patient safety and comfort.
In rare cases, some individuals may experience more significant psychological reactions, such as heightened anxiety or confusion, particularly if they have a history of certain psychiatric disorders. There is also a low risk of ketamine misuse, which is why KAP is always administered in a controlled, clinical environment under the supervision of a mental health professional.
For patients with complex health conditions or a history of substance use disorders, Dr. Hill and the PointHealth Clinic team conduct thorough assessments to determine if KAP is an appropriate treatment option. This careful screening helps minimize risks and ensures that each patient receives the safest, most effective care possible.
Ultimately, while side effects are possible with any treatment, the structured approach at PointHealth Clinic prioritizes patient well-being, ongoing monitoring, and open communication. If you have concerns about the risks or side effects of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, discussing them with your healthcare provider is the best way to make an informed decision about your mental health care.
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Patient Experience and Testimonials
Patients often describe their experience with Dr. Hill as:
“Compassionate, knowledgeable, and empowering — Dr. Hill helped me find clarity and hope when nothing else worked.”
— Anonymous Patient, Encino
His balanced approach emphasizes safety, clarity, and emotional support.
Final Thoughts
Dr. Todd P. Hill, M.D., represents the future of psychiatric care — blending rigorous medical oversight with innovative therapies like ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. At PointHealth Clinic (PointKetamine), he and the care team provide accessible, personalized mental health treatment for anyone in Encino and Agoura Hills ready to take the next step toward healing.
If you or a loved one are considering ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, schedule a consultation with Dr. Hill to explore whether this transformative treatment is right for you.
Call to Action
For more information or to book a consultation with Dr. Todd P. Hill:
📍 PointHealth Clinic — PointKetamine
📞 Call or visit us online to schedule an appointment in Encino or Agoura Hills.
