Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

What Is Ketamine and Why Is It Used?

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has been used safely in medical settings for decades. In recent years, research has shown that, when used in sub-anesthetic doses and paired with psychotherapy, ketamine may provide relief for symptoms of depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and other mental health concerns that have not responded to traditional treatments.

Ketamine is thought to work by increasing neuroplasticity, disrupting the default mode network in the brain, and facilitating access to previously unconscious thoughts, emotions, and patterns. These shifts can support a more open, flexible state of mind, where healing insights and emotional breakthroughs are more likely to occur.

Is KAP Right for You?

KAP may be appropriate if you:

• Are struggling with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, or OCD.
• Feel stuck in longstanding emotional or cognitive patterns
• Are open to altered states of consciousness as a therapeutic tool
• Want to deepen your healing process in a safe, supported, and structured way

While ketamine can open the door to change, the true transformation comes from how you integrate what arises. KAP is not for everyone, and we will assess together whether this is the right path for you.

How It Works: The KAP Process

I partner with Journey Clinical, a platform of licensed prescribers who evaluate your eligibility for KAP and manage the medical s of treatment. If approved, they prescribe sublingual ketamine lozenges, which are delivered to your home pharmacy.

1. Medical Consultation and Screening
• Initial Consultation: Conducted by Journey Clinical to assess your medical and psychiatric history.
• Prescription: If deemed appropriate, sublingual ketamine lozenges are prescribed and shipped to your home pharmacy.
2. Preparation Sessions

Before any ketamine dosing, we will meet for 5-6 preparation sessions to:

• Build trust and establish a strong therapeutic alliance
• Explore your intentions and goals
• Clarify any fears, questions, or expectations
• Develop grounding and coping tools so you feel safe and supported during dosing
• Duration: Each prep session is 45-mins (like a typical therapy session).
3. Dosing Sessions
• Format: Currently, I offer KAP exclusively via telehealth.
• Duration: Each dosing session lasts approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
• Setting: You will self-administer the ketamine lozenge in my presence via a secure video call. You'll be at your home in a comfortable, reclining position, possibly with an eye mask and calming music.
• Support: I will be present throughout the session to hold space and provide support as needed.

Safety Note: For remote sessions, a trusted support person (chaperone) must be present in your home. They should be available to check in as needed but are not actively involved in the session.

4. Integration Sessions

The integration is one of the most important part of your journeys. These sessions are about making sense of your experience. After each dosing session, we meet for one or more integration sessions to:

• Explore themes, images, emotions, or bodily sensations that emerged
• Process insights and apply them to your daily life
• Ground the experience through mindfulness or somatic practices
5. Ongoing Medical Follow-Ups

Journey Clinical schedules regular follow-ups (at least once per quarter) to monitor outcomes and prescribe ketamine lozenge refills as appropriate.

Cost of Treatment

Journey Clinical Costs:

• Initial Medical Consultation: $250.
• Ketamine Medication: $97 (enough for 2 sessions)
• Follow-Up Medical Consultations: $150 (at least once per quarter)
• Ketamine Medication Refills: $263 (enough for up to 6 sessions)

Medical consultation costs may be covered by insurance.

Psychotherapy Costs:

• Preparation and Integration Sessions: Billed at my standard hourly rate.
• Dosing Sessions: Billed at my standard hourly rate; each session lasts approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours.

Please check our Fees & Insurance page for more information

Safety and Ethical Considerations

• Remote-Only Offering: I currently offer KAP exclusively via telehealth. While some clinicians provide in-person KAP, my practice is fully remote.
• Chaperone Requirement: For remote sessions, a trusted support person must be present in your home to ensure safety.
• Medical Oversight: All medical aspects of KAP are managed by Journey Clinical.
• Ethical Practice: I adhere to all professional guidelines to ensure a safe and ethical therapeutic environment.

Helpful Resources