Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is an integrative therapeutic approach that combines the use of ketamine with psychotherapy to help eligible clients achieve deeper insights and lasting relief from challenging symptoms.

Ketamine is a safe and legally prescribed medicine that can facilitate gentle psychedelic experiences. While each individual’s journey with KAP is unique, many find that ketamine allows for a sense of detachment from difficult sensations, emotions, or memories that might otherwise feel overwhelming or inaccessible in traditional therapy sessions.

This modality can be particularly beneficial for individuals or couples dealing with anxiety, depression, PTSD, social anxiety, suicidal thoughts, OCD, substance use challenges, and chronic pain.

Psychedelic-assisted therapies, including KAP, offer new avenues of hope for those who have not found sufficient healing through traditional therapy alone. The frequency of KAP sessions is tailored to your specific needs. Since the effects of ketamine therapy build cumulatively, a minimum commitment of four sessions is often recommended to maximize its benefits.

I provide KAP for individuals, couples, or groups. Reach out to learn more!

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  • Ketamine is a safe, legal, and effective medication used to address various mental health challenges, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Its antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects can take effect within 1-2 hours after treatment and may last up to two weeks. Ketamine works by inhibiting NMDA receptors and activating AMPA receptors, processes that support the formation of new synaptic connections and strengthen neural pathways involved in mood and stress regulation. Additionally, ketamine has been shown to promote neuroplasticity, contributing to sustained symptom relief.

    Ketamine can be administered through several methods, including IV infusion, intramuscular injection, nasal spray, and sublingual lozenges. In my practice, we exclusively use the lozenge form.

  • The effects of ketamine typically last for about 45 minutes and are often described by clients as pleasant. During this time, you may feel a sense of detachment from your body and experience shifts in perception that can feel expansive. Your motor and verbal abilities will be reduced, so you will remain comfortably lying down throughout the experience. Once the effects wear off, we will dedicate the rest of the session to processing and discussing your experience. While it may be challenging to fully articulate the experience, many clients report gaining clear and meaningful insights. Research indicates that ketamine’s positive effects on mood and neurological growth can persist for up to two weeks after the session.

  • The total cost of KAP is roughly $625. This price includes:

    • 1 medical intake with a Journey Clinical Psychiatrist

    • 1 Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy session (up to 3 hrs)

    • 4-6 Ketamine doses

    Breakdown of expenses:

    • Medical Intake with Psychiatrist: $250 (One-time fee, covered by some insurance policies)

    • Ketamine Lozenges: $75 for approximately 4-6 lozenges (not covered by insurance)

    • KAP dosing session (3hrs): $300

    • Consult, Preparation, & Integration Sessions (50 min each): $100

    • Follow-up Sessions with Psychiatrist (only required 1x quarter): $150 (covered by some insurance policies)

    I reserve a small amount of sliding scale spaces for KAP, so please feel free to reach out if you are looking for a sliding scale KAP provider! I can also provide a super bill for potential reimbursement through your insurance.

  • Paradigms of Ketamine Treatment - 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 - Erica Zelfand, ND for Townsend Letter

    Ketamine-Facilitated Psychotherapy for Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression - goop

    Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy with Jonathan Sabbagh of Journey Clinical - Psychology Talk Podcast