Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is for those struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic stress, and burnout. It is particularly effective for those who haven’t been able to find relief through traditional therapy or medication.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
We are excited to announce that we are now offering Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy – a leading-edge approach for resolving treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and trauma.
What is ketamine?
Ketamine is a safe, legal medication prescribed off-label to treat a variety of mental health diagnoses, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. It has rapidly acting antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects, which can begin to take effect within hours after treatment, and last for several weeks after. It works by blocking the brain’s NMDA receptors and by stimulating AMPA receptors, which may help form new synaptic connections and boost mood-regulating neural circuits. Ketamine has also been shown to enhance neuroplasticity for lasting symptom improvement.
What is Ketamine-Assisted Pychotherapy & how does it work?
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a holistic modality in which ketamine is prescribed in conjunction with psychotherapy. Patient eligibility and ketamine prescriptions are provided by our partner Journey Clinical’s in-house medical team while the ketamine journey and integration sessions are guided by our KAP-trained licensed psychotherapists in office or virtually from the comfort of your own home. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy allows patients to revisit challenging events and traumas in an objective manner, discover powerful insights, and find healing in a safe and compassionate environment.
*Clients that are new to our practice must complete a minimum of one session with one of our therapists before being eligible for the initial consultation with our ketamine prescriber.
Below the KAP process is outlined in detail:
- Initial consultation with Journey Clinical:
- 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 2 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.
- Preparation sessions:
- Once you receive your ketamine lozenges, you will schedule a preparation session with your therapist. The goal of a preparation session(s) is to align on the process and set intentions for your Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy session. There is a minimum of one preparation session for existing patients and 2-3 preparation sessions for new patients.
- KAP Dosing Session:
- A typical ketamine dosing session lasts between 2-3 hours and can take place either in-person at our office, or remotely via telehealth.
- During a dosing session, you will self-administer your ketamine lozenge either in our 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, your therapist will be present with you the entire time to hold space and provide support as needed.
- Integration Sessions:
- After your KAP dosing session, you will meet for multiple integration sessions with your therapist to review the memories, thoughts & insights that arose during your dosing session, and to prepare for another dosing session.
- Follow-up consultations with Journey Clinical:
- After your 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.
Who is ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for?
How does Ketamine feel?
The effects of ketamine, which most patients find pleasant, can last from anywhere from 45-90 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 happens during the experience, patients feel like the insights gained are clear.
What is the cost of treatment?
Medical Intake conducted by Journey Clinical: $250 (one-time fee, reimbursable through out-of-network)
Cost of Ketamine Lozenges: 75$ for approximately 4-6 lozenges (not covered by insurance)
Follow-up Sessions with Journey Clinical: $150 per session (minimum of 1/quarter, reimbursable through out-of-network)
Dosing Session: $450 for a 2-3 hour dosing session
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Session: Preparatory sessions + Integration Sessions covered by insurance or $200 per session.
What are the side effects and risks?
In most cases, ketamine is well-tolerated and safe. Ketamine does temporarily increase blood pressure hence it is not recommended for those with hypertension. It can also cause nausea in those who are prone to motion sickness. Ketamine can cause temporary anxiety and fear which can be managed with eye shades and music.
Helpful resources
- Paradigms of Ketamine Treatment by Raquel Bennett, Psy.D. for MAPS
- Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP): Patient Demographics, Clinical Data and Outcomes in Three Large Practices Administering Ketamine with Psychotherapy – research study by Jennifer Dore et al, 2018
- Ketamine for Depression and Mood Disorders by Erica Zelfand, ND for Townsend Letter
- Ketamine-Facilitated Psychotherapy for Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression by goop
- Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy with Jonathan Sabbagh of Journey Clinical – Psychology Talk Podcast
