Ketamine Assisted-Psychotherapy

Ketamine Assisted Therapy 101

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a holistic modality in which ketamine is used as a complement to psychotherapy to help eligible patients experience more frequent breakthroughs and sustained improvement in symptoms. I take on the psychotherapy portion of the experience, while Journey Clinical’s medical team supports you on all medical aspects. This includes determining eligibility, developing a custom treatment plan, prescribing the medicine and monitoring outcomes. Below is more information about KAP to help you navigate if it may be a good fit for you.

What is ketamine?

Ketamine is a legal, safe and effective medicine used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety and PTSD. Ketamine has rapidly-acting antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects, which can begin to take effect within 1-2 hrs. after treatment and last for up to 2 weeks. It works by blocking the brain’s NMDA receptors as well as by stimulating AMPA receptors, which are thought to help form new synaptic connections and boost neural circuits that regulate stress and mood. Ketamine has also been shown to enhance overall neuroplasticity for lasting symptom improvement. Ketamine can be administered in a variety of ways, including IV infusion, intramuscular injection, via nasal spray and using sublingual lozenges. In my work with Journey Clinical we only use the sublingual lozenge form.

Is ketamine right for me?

Ketamine therapy is an alternative healing modality for people who are seeking relief from a variety of mental health conditions and for people who want to explore personal and/or spiritual growth. The first step to determine if you are a good candidate for ketamine therapy is to schedule a no cost consultation to discuss your vision and intentions. This will help us make an informed decision if ketamine-assisted therapy is right for you.  A medical provider will also screen you for conditions that are contraindicated with ketamine use.

How does ketamine feel?

The effects of ketamine, which most patients find pleasant, last for approximately 45 minutes. These effects can make you feel “far from” your body, and facilitate shifts in perception that can often feel expansive in nature. Your motor and verbal abilities will be reduced, so you’ll be lying down in a comfortable position during the experience. Once these effects subsided, we’ll spend the remainder of our appointment giving you space to process and discuss your experience. While it may feel hard to articulate what happened during the experience, patients feel like the insights gained are none-the-less clear.

What does KAP look like?

  • Connect with a Journey Clinical prescriber to check on medical eligibility and to receive ketamine prescription.

  • We will meet to safely prepare for the ketamine experience and to discuss intentions for the work. Plan for 3-4 preparation sessions.

  • Self-administer ketamine in office for a 3 hour supported journey experience. You’ll rest comfortably with music and eyeshades with my support.

  • Incorporate the material and insights of the ketamine experience into your life in a way that aligns with your goals and intentions.

  • Follow up with medical provider at Journey Clinical to check progress and manage prescription refills.

How much does KAP cost?

  • Medical consultation with Journey Clinical includes initial evaluation, treatment plan, and medication for up to 2 sessions for $338.

  • Preparation sessions are done in office or via telehealth and cost $180. These sessions are covered by the insurance companies I work with and your insurance may reimburse you out-of-network.

    Plan to meet for a minimum of three preparation sessions before engaging in dosing sessions.

  • The dosing session occurs once we both agree that you are ready and consist of 3 hour sessions in office for the experiential medicine session. The cost for this session is $540. Insurance does not cover dosing sessions.

    A course of KAP consists of 4-6 dosing sessions.

  • Integration sessions are an important part of the process and are scheduled within 48 hours of the dosing session to support your process of capturing important insights and making sense of the material that arose during session.

    Integration sessions are $180. These sessions are covered by the insurance companies I work with and your insurance may reimburse you out-of-network.

  • Follow-up medical consultations are used to track your progress, refill your prescription, and address ongoing needs. These are required once every 3 months and cost $150.