Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Tatko.
Hi Sarah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up on a dairy farm in rural Iowa, where I developed a deep reverence for all living things and an intimate understanding and fascination of every facet of life’s cycles. I was an introspective kid, curious about how things worked, and expected to work and study hard. My studies took me to New York and Pennsylvania. As a physician assistant, I got my start in emergency medicine.
Those years in the ER gave me confidence in responding to critical and complex situations while also tapping into something I’d always carried: a desire to care for others in their most vulnerable moments. From there, I transitioned into radiation oncology, where I spent many fulfilling years in academic medicine working to care for men navigating prostate and other genitourinary cancers.
During COVID, I was part of the medical leadership team that ran a mass vaccination facility. That experience was my first real glimpse into knowing that I had a knack for operations and business—something I hadn’t expected to discover about myself.
After the pandemic, I pivoted to psychiatry and fell into working with ketamine. I was stunned by the results I was seeing in folks who had treatment resistant depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. I completed my doctoral work focusing on ketamine and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, and this year I opened Canto Integrative Psychiatry—my own private practice providing ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, medication management, and traditional psychotherapy.
I’m the only comprehensive ketamine-assisted psychotherapy provider in the Triangle, offering individual, couples, and group experiences. I also partner with other ketamine-assisted psychotherapists in the area to increase access and affordability.
Looking back, I can see how every chapter—from the farm to the ER to oncology to running a vaccination site—prepared me for this work. It all comes back to that same thread: being present with people through life’s most profound transitions.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it definitely hasn’t been smooth sailing. I spent the first half of this year working out of a small rented space. In May, I finally opened my own office—and then in July, Tropical Storm Chantal brought devastating flooding that destroyed everything I’d just built.
I’m proud to say I didn’t cancel a single appointment. I pivoted to providing treatment in clients’ homes and was carried by an incredible community of therapists and other professionals who offered temporary space and resources. Thanks to that support, I was able to build back better—fully rebuilt and reopened in just over six weeks.
The devastation was significant, but the outpouring of support from the community and my clients was overwhelming. That experience showed me something important: this work isn’t just about what happens in a treatment room. It’s about the relationships and networks we build. I’m so grateful for all of it.
We’ve been impressed with Canto Integrative Psychiatry, PLLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Canto Integrative Psychiatry is a private psychiatric practice specializing in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for teens and adults. The name “Canto” means “my song” in Italian and Spanish—it reflects my belief that healing happens when we reconnect with our most authentic selves. Similarly, this work represents my song – my most authentic, giving self.
I offer ketamine therapy through multiple routes of administration—oral, intranasal, subcutaneous, and intramuscular—which allows me to tailor treatment to each person’s needs, comfort level, and goals. I’m the only provider in the Triangle offering this full range of options alongside comprehensive psychiatric care, including medication management and traditional psychotherapy. I treat teens and adults – individual, couples, and groups. This means clients don’t have to piece together care from multiple providers; they can get everything in one place with one person who knows their full story.
What sets Canto apart is the integration of evidence-based medicine with a deeper, more holistic understanding of healing. My background spans emergency medicine, oncology, and now psychiatry—I’ve sat with people through some of life’s most intense moments, and that shapes how I approach this work. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy isn’t just about the medicine; it’s about creating a safe container for transformation and doing the meaningful work before and after each session.
I offer individual, couples, and group experiences, and I’m currently developing themed retreat experiences exploring topics like grief, values, and identity. I also partner with other ketamine-assisted psychotherapists in the area to increase access and affordability—this work is too important to gatekeep.
Canto operates on a private-pay model with accessibility pricing options, and I provide superbills for insurance reimbursement. I’m most proud of building a practice that prioritizes relationship and authenticity over volume—where people feel truly seen.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Maya Angelou said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” That idea has become central to how I practice.
I’ve learned that presence and genuine care are more powerful than any single medication. We can optimize neurotransmitters and adjust doses, but what actually heals people is feeling seen, held, and connected. We all need community and belonging to truly heal—and that’s something no prescription can provide.
This is why I focus so much on the therapeutic relationship, why I offer group experiences, and why I collaborate with other providers rather than working in isolation. Healing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens in connection.
Pricing:
- Ketamine assisted psychotherapy (per hour) $200-325
- Medication management (per 30 mins) $130
- Psychotherapy (per hour) $225
- Day-long group ketamine retreats (variable)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cantopsychiatry,com
