Healing Through Empathy: A Journey with Spravato at Axis Integrated Mental Health

Healing Through Empathy: A Journey With Spravato at Axis Integrated Mental Health

Introduction

Empathy isn’t often the first thing people think of when it comes to treating trauma and depression. For Cody, rediscovering empathy was the heart of his healing. After years of living in survival mode, shaped by difficult life experiences, Cody began Spravato treatment at Axis Integrated Mental Health. What he found was more than symptom relief- it was an emotional breakthrough.

Cody’s journey is one of courage, reflection, and intentional work. He shares how Spravato helped him reconnect to emotions he had long buried, how the team at Axis built a sanctuary of support, and why he now approaches life with clarity and compassion.

In this candid interview, Cody walks us through his experience with Spravato, the role of meditation and inner work, and the relationships that made his transformation possible. His story highlights the power of trauma-informed care, the importance of the environment in healing, and why Axis’s holistic approach made all the difference.

Q1: What Was Your Emotional State Before Starting Treatment?

Coming from a background of childhood abuse and a painful past relationship, empathy wasn’t something I could access easily. Empathy was something that I neglected because of the defense mechanisms and the hypervigilance that drove nearly every action of my everyday life.

That sense of disconnection wasn’t apathy; it was self-preservation. When you’ve experienced hurt at the hands of others, it becomes easier to harden yourself than to allow emotional vulnerability. But that hardness had a cost. It made it nearly impossible to process painful experiences or truly connect with others.

Q2: How Did Spravato Shift Your Experience With Empathy?

What began to shift this deeply ingrained pattern was an unexpected source: Spravato. Unlike conventional treatments, Spravato therapy at Axis was about more than symptom relief; it was about intention, reflection, and turning inward.

Every time I enter a session with intention, with an experience that still feels a little raw, I am absolutely, 100% of the time, led to a place of empathy even if I don’t want to find it.

That’s the duality of Spravato. It doesn't just help people feel better, it helps them feel. It encourages reflection even when it’s uncomfortable. It has been a game changer in how I approach everyday life, whether it's interacting with a cashier or talking to an estranged loved one. The therapy gave me the capacity to step outside my anger and understand others without sacrificing my own experience.

Q3: What Was the Healing Environment Like at Axis?

A key part of this journey wasn’t just the treatment, it was the environment in which it was delivered. When I first started over a year ago, the treatment room felt like a dentist’s chair. Open windows, traffic outside, people chatting in the hallway. It worked, but it wasn't ideal.

Axis transformed that space. What was once clinical became sacred. Now it’s a sanctuary. Rock salt lamps. Interesting artwork to focus on. Noise-canceling headphones. It's a place where I can go inward without distractions.

Q4: What Does a Spravato Session Feel Like?

Spravato sessions weren’t always predictable. Sometimes, the experience was transcendent: I would come out feeling like I had tapped into a higher sense of self, a complete out-of-body experience. I’d leave energized, excited for the day.

Other times, it was more meditative. Spravato expedites the meditative process. Even the sessions that don’t take me so deep are still a deeper level of meditation than I’ve ever accessed without it. Whether euphoric or contemplative, each session served a purpose. And each helped me continue moving forward.

Q5: How Did the Axis Staff Support Your Healing?

From the beginning, I found deep trust in Chris, my provider. When I was at my worst, he sat with me through entire sessions just to help me process. That kind of presence is rare.

And now, I have real bonds with people like Ashleigh and MacKenzie. I hug them when I walk in and when I leave. These aren’t just staff members. They’re confident. They know more about my healing than some of my own family. That kind of trust doesn’t just happen. It has to be built, and the staff here builds it every single day.

Q6: What Advice Would You Give to Others About Engaging in Treatment?

One of the most powerful messages I want to share with others is this: Spravato is not a passive experience. This is work. You can’t just sit there scrolling on your phone and expect to change. You’re wasting a miraculous opportunity.

You don’t have to justify yourself to anyone. This is your time. It’s okay to be selfish for once. Selfish in a way that will create a better life every day after.

Q7: Is Spravato the Same as Recreational Ketamine?

For those unfamiliar with ketamine treatments like Spravato, misconceptions abound. I’ve had people say to me, "Isn’t that just a recreational drug?" I’d never done ketamine before I started this. And now? I cannot imagine doing this in a social setting.

This isn’t fun and games. It’s therapy. It’s introspection. It’s a chance to strip away the noise and get real with yourself.

Q8: What Would You Tell Someone Who’s Considering Spravato?

Don’t be afraid.

Don’t be afraid of the experience, but more importantly, don’t be afraid of the work. It will challenge you. It might scare you. But it will change you if you let it. Come in with an intention. Bring something you want to understand better. Don’t run from your discomfort. Lean into it.

Q9: How Has Your Life Changed Since Starting Spravato?

Looking back over a year and a half of treatment, the transformation is undeniable. I am profoundly a different person today than I was then.

I credit Spravato, but also myself and the team that supported me every step of the way. I know what work I did. And I know who to thank for helping me get here.

I don’t take a single moment for granted. Every session. Every reflection is the day after. I am so excited to keep going. I’m excited to see who I can become.

The Axis Experience: A Sanctuary for Healing

In wrapping up this powerful story, we’ve followed Cody’s deeply personal journey through Spravato treatment at Axis Integrated Mental Health. What began as a search for relief became an opportunity to reconnect with empathy, process long-held pain, and rebuild a healthier emotional life.

Cody’s experience is a reminder that healing is not just about eliminating symptoms; it’s about uncovering the parts of ourselves we’ve had to bury. Through the guidance of the Axis team and the supportive environment they provide, Cody found not just treatment but a new path forward.

It’s also important to highlight how accessible this care can be. Axis Integrated Mental Health helps patients navigate insurance coverage, including for Spravato, so they can focus fully on their healing without additional stress. If you're curious about cost, please visit our Spravato Cost Guide.

Cody’s story reinforces the importance of trauma-informed care, supportive relationships, and a healing space where patients are seen, heard, and empowered. Axis Integrated Mental Health offers all of this, and for Cody, it made all the difference.

Explore More

• Learn About Spravato
• Spravato Cost Guide
• Take the Spravato Quiz