I offer a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in partnership with local prescribers who only provide medicine in conjunction with therapy (KAP). 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 local prescribers support you in 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.

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. 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?

1. Your therapist connects you with a local prescriber (IV, Esketamine, Oral Lozenges)

● You schedule an initial evaluation with a physician. 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 a physician I partner with determines that you are eligible for KAP, they will develop a personalized Ketamine prescription and outcome monitoring plan for you.

2. Preparation sessions:

● Once you receive your ketamine lozenges, we will schedule time together for 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 goal of a preparation session(s) is to align on the process and set intentions for our KAP sessions together.

3. KAP Dosing Session:

● A typical first oral ketamine dosing session lasts between 3 hours and can takes place remotely via telehealth. Subsequent sessions can be done alone or with virtual sitting depending on the clients needs and preferences. IV and Esketamine dosing takes place in a medical facility and I provide virtual integration therapy that day when you get home. I am available to sit for clients using these methods, but clients generally do not prefer this since medical staff is available.

● During an oral dosing session, you will self-administer your ketamine lozenge in a safe setting 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.

4. Integration Sessions:

● After our KAP dosing session, we will meet for multiple integration therapy sessions to review the memories, thoughts & insights that arose during your dosing session, and to prepare for the next dosing session.

5. Follow-up consultations With Local Prescribers:

● After our first KAP session, a local prescriber 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.

What is the Cost of Treatment?

● Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is an affordable, accessible modality. Although the medical intake, follow ups, and therapy are not covered by insurance, they are eligible for out-of-network reimbursement. Medicine, other than Esketamine, is not covered by insurance. The minimum cost for medical and psychotherapy support is $2500. The $2500 package reflects the total cost of medical assessment, counseling assessment, oral lozenges (enough for 6-8 doses), a 3 hr dosing session, at home follow-up dosing, preparation and integration sessions. This package may not be the best fit for some individuals, and I often recommend an IV approach. Having me sit with you for each oral lozenge session and provide therapeutic support, like processing traumatic memories, is advisable and a full KAP approach. The cost of this wold be equivalent to IV Ketamine therapy. Please reach out for more information as I’m happy to try to tailor your experience to your unique needs and budget.

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

■ My typical hourly rate is $150/hr. There is no difference in cost between different types of sessions eg. dosing, integration, or assessment. We will generally meet once or twice per week and you can stop your protocol at any time. The psychotherapy portion of the protocol includes:

• Full clinical assessment to determine the root cause of your suffering and the mechanisms that keep you stuck.

• 2 Preparation sessions to teach you how to be with the medicine and identify intentions.

• Oral Ketamine Options: 3 hr initial dosing session with KAP, in person. Additional dosing sessions are typically 2 hrs and include brief preparation and integration.

• IV Ketamine Option: These generally do not include sitting services and I only provide preparation and integration sessions. Clients cost for IV ketamine is about $400 per session and is paid directly to the IV clinic.

• 1 hr integration sessions after each subsequent medicine session. For best results, 6-8 sessions are recommended.

• Closing session to identify ongoing integration strategies. Additional session are always available. Integration is a longterm process of practicing a new way of being. It is easy to fall back into old patterns. Integration is there to help you manage this and stay on track. It can take some practice.

Medical Costs

● Initial medical consultation and follow-ups with local oral Ketamine prescriber: $500 for 6-8 doses

● Cost of medication: $50 (enough for 6-8 sessions)

● IV Ketamine: $400 per infusion

● Esketamine: Check with your insurance provider.