When you work in mental health long enough, you stop chasing headlines and start paying close attention to the stories behind the data.
But every now and then, a study comes along that genuinely excites us not because it validates what we do, but because it gives new hope to the millions still searching for relief.
This past February, the Bio-K study made waves in the psychiatric world for a powerful reason:
52% of participants with severe depression reached remission after just three ketamine infusions over 11 days.
That kind of result is rare. What’s even more remarkable is who it helped.
“These participants are very representative of the sickest patients we see,” said Dr. Sagar Parikh of University of Michigan Health, who led the study. “More than 80% reported suicidality that would have excluded them from other depression treatment trials.”
This research confirms something we’ve seen firsthand at Within Center: ketamine isn’t just a breakthrough it’s a lifeline. But it’s not a cure-all on its own. Healing happens when medicine is paired with meaning, support, and deep integration. That’s what we’re here to provide.
A Healing Space, Not Just a Clinic
Tucked just outside Austin, Within Center was designed to feel like a sanctuary because true healing doesn’t happen in sterile, rushed environments.
Our retreat property, AWKN Ranch, was purpose-built to give clients more than a treatment it gives them space. Space to slow down. To feel safe. To reconnect with themselves. It’s a place where deep personal work is supported by nature, community, and intention.
We work with depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, OCD, addiction, and what we call the quiet ache the grief, disconnection, or exhaustion that doesn’t always fit a diagnosis but weighs just as heavily.
Real People. Real Transformation.
Our founder, David Naylor, spent years building healthcare companies. But Within was born from something deeper a desire to help people reclaim their lives in a way that traditional systems often don’t allow.
Our team reflects that same calling.
Heather, one of our lead guides, once faced life-threatening alcohol addiction. It was a sacred plant medicine ceremony that shifted everything for her and today, she brings that hard-earned wisdom into every client journey.
Aaron, a life coach and integration guide, has studied with Indigenous elders around the world. Amber, our somatic therapist, helps clients listen to the body’s quiet wisdom because the body holds what words often can’t express
At Within, we bring both professional training and lived experience to this work. And we hold the belief that healing is never one-size-fits-all. It’s personal. It’s sacred. And it takes time.
The Medicine Is a Doorway Not the Whole Journey
The Bio-K study showed us just how powerful ketamine can be. But it also showed us something just as important:
A third of participants didn’t respond to the medicine.
That’s not a failure. It’s a reminder that transformation is complex. It’s not just about what you receive it’s about how you prepare for it, how you’re supported through it, and what you do with it afterward.
That’s why our programs include so much more than infusions. We offer:
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- Psychedelic-assisted therapy with skilled facilitators
- Integration coaching and therapy
- IV nutrient therapy and functional health support
- Workshops on breathwork, nutrition, boundaries, and more
- Ongoing community support and post-retreat care
Our goal is to help you not just feel better but to create a life that feels deeply aligned and connected.
The Challenge of Access
We won’t sugarcoat it: ketamine therapy is still out of reach for many. Insurance often doesn’t cover it. Treatments can cost thousands. The Bio-K researchers made this clear and we see the same reality in our own work every day.
At Within, we’re doing our best to bridge this gap. Our immersive model allows people to receive deep, concentrated care in a few days sometimes achieving more in a long weekend than months of traditional therapy can offer. But we also know affordability remains a barrier, and we’re actively working on ways to expand access without compromising quality.
What Healing Really Means
Yes, the Bio-K study is promising. Yes, ketamine is a powerful tool. But what matters most to us is the person behind the diagnosis.
The woman who’s been surviving, not living.
The man who hasn’t felt joy in years.
The person who thought they’d tried everything and now feels something shift.
That’s the kind of healing we believe in.
Not quick fixes. Not symptom suppression.
But a return to wholeness to self, to connection, to possibility.
The Journey Starts Here
If you’re struggling with depression or trauma or if someone you love is we want you to know that there is real, meaningful support available. You’re not alone. And healing is possible, even if it hasn’t felt that way before.
We invite you to explore our retreats, classes, events, book a consultation, or simply reach out and start a conversation.
At Within Center, we don’t just work with the brain we work with the human behind it.
Because that’s where real transformation lives.
Learn more at within.center.
Healing isn’t found in a prescription it’s found in rediscovering who you really are.
