Dr. Trish Barrus’ path to mental health care was shaped early in life. Her father was the last person in Utah to contract polio before the vaccine became available. He lived the rest of his life paralyzed but never once complained. That quiet resilience left a lasting impression on Dr. Barrus. Her mother, a teacher who later became a counselor, also modeled strength, compassion, and service.
These early experiences shaped Dr. Barrus’ career as a licensed therapist, the founder and clinical director of Riverwoods Behavioral Health, and a professor at the University of Utah, where she teaches four courses in positive psychology.
Why Positive Psychology Is Foundational to Mental Health
Positive psychology focuses on what is right rather than what is wrong. It emphasizes gratitude, personal strengths, and resilience. Dr. Barrus co-developed the Positive Psychology Certificate Program at the University of Utah. The program has quickly become one of the university’s most impactful offerings.
Students consistently describe the courses as transformative. One study even showed that participating in her positive psychology classes led to mental health improvements comparable to or better than traditional one-on-one therapy. These results are especially important given the rise in anxiety and depression among college students.
Where Traditional Therapy Falls Short
Traditional talk therapy and antidepressants such as SSRIs can be very effective for some individuals. However, many people do not find relief through these methods alone. Some come to Riverwoods Behavioral Health after years of trying multiple therapists, medications, and even alternative treatments like TMS and ECT.
Recognizing this gap, Dr. Barrus began exploring innovative treatments to support individuals with treatment-resistant mental health conditions. One of the most effective methods she has adopted is ketamine-assisted therapy.
Understanding Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine therapy is often misunderstood. It is not about inducing a high. Administered in a medically supervised environment, ketamine helps to rewire the brain by altering neural pathways. It is particularly effective in addressing treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, chronic anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
Unlike SSRIs, which can take six to eight weeks to take effect and often blunt emotional expression, ketamine provides results much faster. Patients often begin to notice improvements within four to six sessions. Brain imaging studies show that ketamine affects the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, both of which are involved in mood regulation and decision-making.
A Safe and Thoughtful Approach
Riverwoods Behavioral Health stands apart from many ketamine clinics due to its commitment to safety and individualized care. Each patient undergoes a comprehensive medical and psychological assessment before starting treatment.
Ketamine is administered through an IV drip in a calm, supportive setting. During each session, a licensed therapist and a nurse practitioner remain with the patient to monitor their experience and provide emotional support.
Before beginning a session, patients are encouraged to set a clear intention. Whether they want to reduce anxiety, confront past trauma, or gain clarity in life, this intention helps guide the session and makes it more meaningful.
What a Typical Ketamine Session Looks Like
Patients relax in a recliner in a private room. As the IV drip begins, they may start to experience vivid visuals or deep emotional responses. Some describe feelings of detachment from their physical surroundings or experiences similar to dreaming.
The therapist remains close by, offering grounding techniques like breathwork or light touch on the arm to provide reassurance. This human connection is key to helping patients feel safe and supported throughout the session.
Following the treatment, patients are encouraged to reflect on their experience through journaling, meditation, or therapy sessions. They may also listen to recordings made during the session to continue processing the insights that surfaced.
The Power of Immediate Connection
One surprising outcome of ketamine-assisted therapy is how quickly patients bond with their therapists. Even if it is their first time meeting, the shared vulnerability of the experience builds trust and creates a strong therapeutic relationship.
This connection helps patients feel more comfortable opening up about their trauma and mental health challenges. It also enhances the effectiveness of each session.
Stories of Life-Changing Results
Dr. Barrus shared several powerful stories from her practice. One patient developed PTSD after falling off a boat and nearly drowning. After undergoing ketamine therapy, he was able to return to the lake where the incident occurred and later travel home to Hawaii.
Another patient, who had been kidnapped while living abroad, suffered severe anxiety and recurring nightmares. After completing a series of ketamine sessions, he was able to return to Colombia without the same sense of fear.
Riverwoods also serves many patients with bipolar disorder. For them, ketamine therapy can provide much-needed stabilization. Some return every few months for maintenance sessions and report feeling calmer, more focused, and better able to manage mood swings.
Addressing Cultural and Religious Concerns
In Utah, where many residents follow strict health codes that prohibit the use of alcohol and recreational drugs, ketamine therapy can be met with skepticism. Dr. Barrus acknowledges these concerns and works hard to educate patients about the clinical use of ketamine.
Ketamine is a legal, FDA-approved anesthetic. When administered in a medical setting by trained professionals, it is safe and non-addictive. Dr. Barrus compares it to taking insulin for diabetes. Mental health, she says, should be treated with the same seriousness as any other medical condition.
What Happens After Treatment
Ketamine therapy is not a one-time fix. At Riverwoods, ongoing support is part of the care model. After the initial series of four to six sessions, patients may continue traditional therapy or receive at-home ketamine lozenges called troches under medical supervision.
These troches can help maintain the benefits of the initial treatment. Riverwoods also encourages integration work, such as journaling, therapy, and mindfulness practices, to help the brain fully absorb and reinforce the new neural pathways created during the sessions.
The Future of Mental Health Treatment
Dr. Barrus believes that mental health care is on the edge of a revolution. As clinical research continues to show the benefits of psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA, more options will become available to those who have struggled with traditional treatments.
She encourages therapists and providers to stay open to new methods, get involved in policy discussions, and help create responsible, science-backed approaches to healing.
Positivity as a Healing Tool
At the core of her philosophy, Dr. Barrus believes that positivity is essential to healing. Whether it is through gratitude, purpose-driven therapy, or ketamine-assisted treatment, patients who foster a hopeful mindset often recover faster and more fully.
Even elite athletes benefit from this approach. One patient, a CEO battling anxiety, ran a half marathon just two days after a session and improved his time by 30 minutes. While that result may be extraordinary, it speaks to the broader power of clarity, reduced anxiety, and emotional regulation.
A New Standard for Mental Health
At Riverwoods Behavioral Health, therapy is not just about following protocol. It is about treating people with dignity, meeting them where they are, and guiding them toward meaningful change.
Whether someone is dealing with depression, trauma, anxiety, or simply feeling stuck, Dr. Barrus and her team offer a compassionate, personalized approach to mental health care. With a focus on evidence-based treatments, human connection, and hope, Riverwoods is helping people heal in ways that truly last.
To learn more about Riverwoods Behavioral Health or to explore whether ketamine therapy may be right for you, visit the Riverwoods Behavioral Health website and learn more about their work through the Lift and Make Lighter Podcast.