Christy, a Certified-Registered Nurse Anesthetist, has been practicing since December 2002. With 20 years of experience at a level-one trauma hospital in the twin cities, she is the owner and CEO of the Minnesota Ketamine & Wellness Institute. In 2022, Christy decided to step away from her position in the operating room to fully dedicate her time to managing the ketamine clinic. The issue of mental health disorders and suicide has reached epidemic proportions in our society, leaving lasting impacts on communities. Christy, as a suicide loss survivor and the mother of a ketamine patient, brings a personal perspective to her role as a provider of ketamine therapy. Her passion lies in assisting patients seeking alternative treatments, motivated by her own experiences with the profound effects of these conditions, especially following the loss of her husband to treatment-resistant depression and suicidal ideation in 2019.
With over 26 years of experience in psychiatry, Dr. Sujit Varma has earned the reputation of being one of Minnesota’s foremost psychiatrists in the mental health field. His approach to treatment involves thorough research and utilization of the latest, most effective resources to assist patients grappling with mental health disorders. Dr. Varma takes joy in witnessing the transformation of patients into healthier individuals, fostering this process without judgment. In his role as the acting Medical Director and collaborative provider at The Minnesota Ketamine & Wellness Institute, he collaborates with clinic practitioners for case reviews, medication management, and provides valuable insights on individual patient care to our multidisciplinary team.
Lindsey attained her Registered Nurse degree in 2006 and initiated her career in the Trauma-Neuro Intensive Care Unit of a level-one trauma center. In 2023, she earned her master’s degree as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). In her role as a PMHNP, Lindsey offers a spectrum of mental health services, including assessments, screening, diagnosis, formulation of treatment plans, medication management, and education for patients and their families. Being a part of a team that provides both mainstream and alternative mental health treatments allows Lindsey to deliver diverse services and treatment modalities that can significantly improve the lives of individuals and those in their circle. Lindsey’s personal and family experiences with mental health have instilled in her a deep sense of compassion, empathy, and understanding of the daily struggles faced by those who suffer.
Welcome! I am so glad you have made a choice to receive care at The Minnesota Ketamine and Wellness Institute. My name is Denay Kelly, and I am a Family Nurse Practitioner currently working on my Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner certification. I am excited about working with this group of amazing people that truly care about your mental health and well-being. In my spare time I enjoy anything that has to do with the sun or water. I also love to bicycle, chill on the couch with a good movie, and spend time with good friends. I am so excited to be part of your journey! My future goal when I graduate with my PMHNP certificate in 2023 is to continue to support this clinic in expanding its services. I am also interested in certification for prescribing medical cannabis.
Rebecca earned a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work with a focus on mental health in 2016 from the University of Minnesota. She obtained certification in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy from the Integrative Psychiatry Institute. Rebecca is bilingual, being fluent in both English and Spanish. “We all move through the world with a story about who we are, both to ourselves and in relation to others. I don’t see one style of therapy as beneficial for everyone, but instead choose to use narrative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, hard questions, and deep curiosity, to journey with my clients. I heavily leverage my life experience when providing services and I lean into an integrative approach, rooted in existential and transpersonal theories. I have been described as soft-spoken and calm, and unafraid of hard questions. I feel passionate about utilizing Ketamine as a tool for overcoming barriers, shifting perspective, and offering relief to give space for healing. I am committed to diversifying the psychedelic space and am a Latinx provider who offers sessions in both English and Spanish.” “In today’s America, we tend to think of healing as something binary: either we’re broken or we’re healed from that brokenness. But that’s not how healing operates, and it’s almost never how human growth works. More often, healing and growth take place on a continuum, with innumerable points between utter brokenness and total health.” – Resmaa Menakem
Melissa holds a Master’s of Science degree in Education – Counseling Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls, WI and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN. She completed certification in clinical counseling from St. Mary’s University and St. Thomas University. Melissa has been practicing as a therapist for 23 years working mostly with teenagers in group and individual therapy as well as adults, families and couples. Melissa has launched school-linked mental health programs in Columbia Heights and Centennial school districts. Melissa’s approach encompasses a blend of CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and solution-focused therapy. She tailors her approach to each individual and meets the client where they are at. She has experience working with issues related to depression, self-mutilation, anxiety & panic, self-esteem and identity issues, stress & anger-management, parenting & relationship issues as well as grief and loss. She is also working towards certification in trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy. Melissa is a board approved clinical supervisor. She provides clinical supervision to individuals working toward licensure and interns completing their clinical practicum and internship. Melissa believes that the patterns of our mind that keep us trapped in emotional suffering are fundamentally the same patterns of mind that stand between us and the growth toward our potential for a more deeply satisfying way of being. Melissa enjoys scuba diving, snowboarding, and volleyball. She is currently learning how to kiteboard. Her favorite quote: “All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think… we become.” ~Buddha
Ashlee is a Registered Nurse who dedicated 15 years to working in the Operating Room. In 2022, she resigned from her hospital position to solely devote her time to the Minnesota Ketamine & Wellness Institute. She has an empathetic, compassionate, and non-judgmental approach to each of her patients and a deep appreciation for alternative treatments and therapies. Ashlee is cognizant and adaptive and works to support a holistic mind, body, and soul approach and respects the uniqueness of each patient. “When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.” – Dalai Lama.
Minnesota Ketamine & Wellness Institute is a locally owned and operated facility. The path of our establishment was created out of pure intent to offer hope for families and patients suffering from depression, anxiety, and PTSD. We are vested in services that streamline the mental health assessment and treatment process. Our experienced multidisciplinary team will put your needs first, providing and delivering exceptional individualized care from assessment, through and beyond infusion therapy, in a safe and comfortable environment.
