About Dr. John Casas
Clientele seen
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Adults (25-64)
Seniors (65+)
Treatment approaches
Compassion Focused
Identity
Gender
MaleFaith
NonreligiousLanguages spoken
English, Spanish
Getting to know Dr. John Casas
Dr. John Casas, M.D.
Spravato® Treatment for Resistant Depression
Dr. John Casas is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist and Military & Veteran Mental Health Specialist with over 20 years of experience providing compassionate, evidence-based care. A proud U.S. Army veteran, Dr. Casas served 10 years on active duty, where he specialized in treating combat-related conditions such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Dr. Casas focuses on the evaluation and management of complex mood disorders, particularly treatment-resistant depression—for patients who have not found sufficient relief with standard antidepressants. As part of his comprehensive approach, he offers Spravato® (esketamine) nasal spray therapy, an FDA-approved, rapid-acting treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD).
About Spravato®:
Spravato is a breakthrough medication derived from ketamine, administered in a certified medical setting under direct supervision. It works quickly to improve mood, reduce depressive symptoms, and enhance emotional well-being.
What to Expect with Treatment:
• Comprehensive screening and eligibility evaluation
• In-office administration of Spravato with continuous monitoring of vital signs and mental status
• Adjunct oral antidepressant therapy and ongoing psychiatric follow-up for optimal results
• A safe, comfortable, and supportive treatment environment, guided by an integrated team of mental health professionals
Dr. Casas’s mission is to help each patient achieve meaningful recovery, resilience, and improved quality of life through personalized, cutting-edge care.
What should a new client know about working with you?
1. Initial Evaluation (First Visit)
Duration: Usually 45–90 minutes.
Purpose: To gather a detailed understanding of the patient’s symptoms, history, and goals.
What Happens:
The psychiatrist asks about current problems, medical and psychiatric history, family background, lifestyle, and substance use.
They may discuss traumatic experiences, stressors, or life changes affecting mental health.
Screening tools or questionnaires might be used for clarity (e.g., PHQ-9 for depression, GAD-7 for anxiety).
Physical symptoms are reviewed because many psychiatric conditions overlap with neurological or medical issues.
2. Diagnosis and Discussion
The psychiatrist synthesizes the information and provides a clinical impression or diagnosis (e.g., depression, anxiety disorder, PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, etc.).
They explain:
What the condition means.
How it affects emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
Treatment options available — both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic.
3. Treatment Planning
Together, the psychiatrist and patient establish a personalized treatment plan that may include:
Medication management (antidepressants, anxiolytics, stimulants, mood stabilizers, etc.).
Psychotherapy (either with the psychiatrist or a referred therapist).
Lifestyle recommendations — sleep hygiene, nutrition, exercise, stress reduction.
Follow-up frequency — typically every 2–6 weeks early on, then every 2–3 months once stable.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
Typical steps:
History taking: Medical, psychiatric, family, social, and substance-use history.
Symptom review: Mood, anxiety, sleep, energy, attention, memory, or psychotic symptoms.
Mental-status examination: The psychiatrist observes appearance, speech, thought process, insight, judgment, and mood.
Diagnosis: A preliminary or working diagnosis is discussed (e.g., depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder).
Treatment planning: Options such as medication, psychotherapy, or both are explained.
3. Treatment Initiation
If medication is indicated, the psychiatrist starts with a low, safe dose and educates the patient about expected benefits, side effects, and time course (usually 2–6 weeks for antidepressants, for example).
If therapy is recommended, the psychiatrist may provide it directly or refer to a psychologist or therapist.
Lifestyle factors—sleep, exercise, nutrition, substance use—are also reviewed and addressed.
4. Follow-Up Appointments
Early phase: Every 2–4 weeks to monitor response and side effects.
Maintenance phase: Every 1–3 months once stable.
During follow-ups:
Review of symptoms, functioning, and medication tolerance.
Dose adjustments or medication changes if needed.
Ongoing psychoeducation—understanding triggers, stress management, and coping strategies.
5. Collaboration & Coordination
The psychiatrist may coordinate care with primary-care doctors, neurologists, or therapists to ensure medications and treatments align.
In complex cases (e.g., traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, or neuropsychiatric conditions), collaboration helps integrate neurological and psychological care.
6. Long-Term Management
Once symptoms are stable, visits may space out to every few months.
The psychiatrist supports relapse prevention, life-stress adaptation, and, if appropriate, gradual medication tapering.
Progress is measured not only by symptom relief but by improved functioning, relationships, and quality of life.
Is this doctor in your insurance network?
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In-network insurances
Aetna
BlueCross BlueShield
Cigna
Emblem Health
Medicare
UnitedHealthcare
Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Initial session: $350 for 60 minutes
Ongoing session: $350 for 60 minutes
More information on payments and coverage
Dr. John Casas accepts all major commercial insurance plans, medicare and managed medicaid.
Office location
Education and background
Practice names
Hospital affiliations
- Jamaica Hospital Medical Center
Board certifications
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
- Psychiatry (American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology)
Education and training
- Medical School - Ponce Health Sciences University, Doctor of Medicine
- William Beaumont Army Medical Center (General Psychiatry)
Professional memberships
- American Academy of Clinical Psychiatrists
NPI number
1275732323
How soon can I make an appointment with Dr. John Casas?
Generally, Dr. John Casas has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Dr. Casas's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Dr. John Casas accepting new patients?
Dr. John Casas generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Dr. Casas's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Dr. John Casas accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Dr. Casas is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Dr. John Casas online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Dr. Casas using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
Which hospital is Dr. John Casas affiliated with?
Dr. John Casas is affiliated with Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.
What practice does Dr. John Casas work with?
Dr. John Casas works with NYC TBI and Memory Center.
Where is Dr. John Casas's office located?
Dr. John Casas's office is located at 91-31 Queens Blvd, Elmhurst, NY 11373.
Which board certifications does Dr. John Casas have?
Dr. John Casas is certified by American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and Psychiatry (American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology).
What languages does Dr. John Casas speak?
Dr. John Casas speaks English and Spanish.