Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)
We are so excited to offer a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (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. 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 medication that is used to treat various mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and (C)PTSD. It has a fast-acting antidepressant and mood-enhancing effect that begins to take effect within 1-2 hours after treatment. Furthermore, it has been scientifically proven that ketamine can enhance overall neuroplasticity for lasting symptom improvement. Neuroplasticity is like the superhero power of our brain. It means our brains can change and grow stronger when we learn and practice new things. Just like how our muscles get stronger when we exercise, our brain gets stronger when we use it and learn new things.
Ketamine can be administered through various methods, such as IV infusion, intramuscular injection, nasal spray, and sublingual lozenges. However, in our work with Journey Clinical, we exclusively use the sublingual lozenge form.
How Does Ketamine Feel?
The effects of ketamine, which most patients find pleasant, last for approximately 45-60 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 clear. Studies have shown that mood and neurological growth benefits can last up to two weeks after the Ketamine experience and are further extended with additional KAP sessions.
How Does Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Work?
-
You schedule an initial evaluation with our medical team clinicians. They will review your medical and psychiatric history with you, provide education on treatment, and determine if you are eligible for KAP.
If our medical team determines you are eligible for KAP, they will develop a personalized Ketamine prescription and outcome monitoring plan for you. If KAP is contraindicated our medical team will refund the intake fees.
Our medical staff will write a ketamine prescription for the sublingual ketamine and you will receive enough for the first 2 KAP sessions. Delivery of ketamine requires a signature acknowledging receipt.
You will be taught to take your vitals and self-administer the ketamine lozenges by our medical team in advance of our KAP sessions.
-
Once you receive your ketamine lozenges, we will schedule time for our KAP preparation, dosing, and integration sessions.
Preparation session(s) will be scheduled just like regular therapy sessions before the KAP dosing session.
A preparation session(s) aims to align the process and set intentions for our KAP sessions.
-
A typical ketamine dosing session lasts between 2.5-3 hours and will take place remotely via telehealth.
During a dosing session, you will self-administer your ketamine lozenge 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.
KAP Intake Assessment $200
Cost of Medical Intake $250
One-time fee
May be reimbursable as out-of-network
-
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.
-
After our first KAP session, our 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.
-
Their collaborative care model is designed to deliver personalized treatment plans to meet your individual needs and improve long-term outcomes.
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is an affordable, accessible modality. The investment in yourself upfront may seem expensive, but you will likely spend less time in treatment overall and provide a financial benefit.
One-time fee for 60-75 minute session for new clients
Available online only however in- person option coming soon
May be reimbursable as out-of-network
What is the Cost of Treatment?
A 60-minute initial intake assessment is required to start counseling services for new clients, and each subsequent KAP preparation or integration session is 50 minutes long. The KAP experiential dosing sessions are typically 2-3 hours.
Preparation & Integration Sessions $150
Per-session fee for 50 minute session
Available online only however in- person option coming soon
May be reimbursable as out-of-network
Follow Up Medical Consultation $150
Minimum of 1x/quarter
May be reimbursable as out-of-network
Experiential Dosing $450
Per-session fee for up to 3 hour session
Available online only however in- person option coming soon
May be reimbursable for the first hour only
Cost of Ketamine Prescription $85-145
Cost for 2 -6 sessions
Not covered by insurance
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is an intensive, structured treatment protocol. Research has found that at least eight sessions are most effective for treatment. However, more or fewer sessions will depend on the patient and psychotherapist's determination of progress and healing.
*This may vary upon severity of symptoms.*
*Financial Assistance is considered case-by-case, so please do not let cost keep you from reaching out!