Those battling depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic stress, and exhaustion are candidates for ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. It is especially useful for those who have not found alleviation through conventional therapy or medication.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)
Resilient Mind Psychotherapy is excited to announce that we are now offering Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy in Brooklyn, New York City – a leading-edge approach for resolving treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and trauma.
What is ketamine?
Ketamine is a safe, legal medication that is prescribed off-label to treat a variety of mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. It has swift antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects that can commence within hours of treatment and last for weeks. It functions by inhibiting NMDA receptors in the brain and stimulating AMPA receptors, which may aid in the formation of new synaptic connections and the enhancement of mood-regulating neural circuits. It has also been demonstrated that ketamine enhances neuroplasticity for enduring 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.
Outlined below is the comprehensive KAP (Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy) process:
- Intake session with one of our therapists
- Existing clients can skip to step two
- New clients need to have at least one session with one of our therapists before being recommended for the Journey Clinical initial consultation
- Initial Consultation with Journey Clinical:
- Schedule an initial evaluation with a clinician from Journey Clinical via Zoom (virtual meeting).
- In this session, your medical and psychiatric history will be thoroughly reviewed, and you will receive essential information about the treatment.
- The clinician will assess your eligibility for KAP.
- Personalized Ketamine Prescription and Planning:
- If deemed eligible, Journey Clinical’s medical team will create a customized Ketamine prescription and outcome monitoring plan tailored to your needs.
- A Ketamine prescription will be issued, and an initial supply of oral Ketamine will be sent to your home, sufficient for the first two KAP sessions.
- You will receive guidance on taking vital signs and self-administering the Ketamine lozenges from Journey Clinical’s medical experts.
- Preparation Sessions:
- Upon receiving the Ketamine lozenges, you will arrange preparation sessions with your therapist.
- The purpose of these sessions is to establish clarity on the KAP process and set intentions for your Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy session.
- Existing patients typically require a minimum of one preparation session, while new patients may need 2-3 sessions for thorough preparation.
- KAP Dosing Session:
- A standard KAP dosing session lasts approximately 2-3 hours and can occur either in-person at our office or via telehealth.
- During the session, you will self-administer the Ketamine lozenge in a comfortable, reclined position, with an eye mask on, while listening to soothing music.
- Though much of the experience is internal, your therapist will remain with you throughout, offering support and holding space as necessary.
- Integration Sessions:
- Following your KAP dosing session, you will participate in multiple integration sessions with your therapist.
- These sessions are designed to review the memories, thoughts, and insights that emerged during your dosing session and prepare you for subsequent dosing sessions.
- Follow-up Consultations with Journey Clinical:
- After your initial KAP session, Journey Clinical’s medical team will schedule regular follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and determine if Ketamine lozenge refills are required.
- The frequency of these follow-ups will be based on your individualized treatment plan but will occur at least once per quarter.”
Who is ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for?
How does Ketamine feel?
The effects of ketamine, which the vast majority of patients find agreeable, can last between 45 and 90 minutes. These effects can make you feel “far from” your body, and facilitate alterations in perception that can often feel expansive in nature. Your motor and verbal abilities will be diminished, so you will lie comfortably on your back throughout the experience. After these effects subside, we will give you time to process and discuss your experience for the remainder of our appointment. Despite the fact that it may be difficult to articulate what occurs during the experience, patients believe that the insights gained are obvious.
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
