I offer a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy in partnership with an organization called Journey Clinical. Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a holistic modality in which ketamine is used as a complement to psychotherapy to help eligible clients 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. Read on to learn more about KAP and to help you decide 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 one-two hours after treatment and last for up to two 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.
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 subside, 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, most clients feel a shift in perspective and an increase in insight. Studies have shown that the benefits to mood and neurological growth can last up to two weeks after the Ketamine experience.
How Does Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Work?
Step One: Initial Consultation
You schedule an initial evaluation with a clinician from the Journey Clinical medical team via Zoom. They will go over your medical and psychiatric history with you, provide education on the treatment and determine if you are eligible for KAP.
If Journey Clinical’s medical team determines that you are eligible for KAP, they will develop a personalized Ketamine prescription and outcome monitoring plan for you.
Journey Clinical’s medical staff will write a ketamine prescription for you, and a small amount of oral ketamine will be sent to your home, enough for the first two KAP sessions. You will be taught to take your vitals and self-administer the ketamine lozenges by Journey Clinical’s medical team in advance of our KAP sessions
Step Two: Preparation Sessions
Once you receive your ketamine lozenges, we will schedule our KAP preparation, dosing and integration sessions. Preparation session(s) will be scheduled just like regular therapy sessions prior to the KAP dosing session. The purpose of a preparation session is to align on the process and help you identify your goals and intentions for the KAP dosing sessions.
Step Three: KAP Dosing Session
A typical ketamine dosing session lasts between two-three hours and can take place either in person at my office, or remotely via telehealth.
During a dosing session, you will self-administer your ketamine lozenge either in my office or in your home. You will be in a comfortable, reclining position wearing an eye mask and listening to calming music. Although a KAP dosing session may be largely an internal experience, I will be present with you the entire time to hold space and provide support as needed.
Step Four: Integration Sessions
After the KAP dosing session, we will meet for multiple integration therapy sessions to review and explore what arose during your dosing session, and to prepare for the next dosing session.
Step Five: Follow-up Consultations With Journey Clinical
After the first KAP session, Journey Clinical’s medical team schedules regular follow ups with you to monitor outcomes and prescribe ketamine lozenge refills, as appropriate. The frequency of follow ups depends on your unique treatment plan, at a minimum of once per quarter.
What is the Cost of Treatment?
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is an affordable, accessible modality. Although the medical intake and follow ups are not covered by insurance, they may be eligible for out-of-network reimbursement. Some portion of our sessions (preparation, dosing, and integration) may also be covered by out-of-network reimbursement.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
My fee for a standard 50 minute session (preparation/integration) is $190
A one-on-one KAP dosing session (2.5-3 hours) is $460
Journey Clinical Medical Costs
Medical Intake: $250 (One time fee, reimbursable through out-of-network)
Follow-up Sessions: $150/Session (minimum of 1/quarter, reimbursable through out-of-network)
Cost of Ketamine Lozenges: $75 for approximately 4-6 lozenges (not covered by insurance)
If you would like to explore the possibility of working with me on KAP, please contact me to to discuss eligibility and next steps.