Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) blends ketamine with therapy to help clients break through emotional barriers and experience lasting symptom relief. This approach can be especially beneficial for those who feel stuck despite trying other treatments, offering a fresh and transformative therapeutic experience.
Getting Started With KAP
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a legal, well-researched medication used to treat mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, complex PTSD, OCD, and more. Initially developed in the 1960s as an anesthetic, it is still commonly used in medical procedures due to its strong safety profile, including in neonatal care for premature infants.
In lower doses, ketamine has fast-acting antidepressant effects, often working within 1–2 hours of treatment and lasting up to two weeks. When taken regularly (typically in weekly sessions over six weeks), its benefits build upon each other, leading to longer-lasting improvements in mood and well-being.
Ketamine works by blocking NMDA receptors and stimulating AMPA receptors, helping to create new neural connections and strengthen pathways that regulate mood and stress. It also enhances neuroplasticity, leading to more enduring symptom relief.
What Does Ketamine Feel Like?
Most clients describe the ketamine experience as pleasant, with effects typically lasting 30–45 minutes. Depending on the dose, you may feel a sense of detachment from your body or an increased connection to it in a new way, often leading to profound shifts in perspective. While under its effects, your ability to move or speak may be reduced, so you’ll be lying down in a comfortable setting. Afterward, we’ll take time to discuss and process your experience.
Though it can be hard to put into words, clients often report gaining deep insights. Research suggests that ketamine’s mood-enhancing and neurological benefits can last up to two weeks after a session.
How Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Works
1. Initial Consultation with Journey Clinical
- You’ll begin with a virtual consultation with a medical professional (initiated by me) from Journey Clinical. During this session, they’ll review your medical and psychiatric history, explain the treatment, and determine if KAP is a good fit for you.
- If approved, you’ll receive a personalized treatment plan and a prescription for oral ketamine lozenges.
- A small supply of ketamine lozenges will be shipped to your home, along with instructions on how to take your vitals and self-administer the medication before each session.
2. Preparation Sessions
- Before your first dosing session, we’ll have one or more preparation sessions to align on the process, set intentions, and ensure you feel comfortable moving forward.
3. KAP Dosing Session
- Each dosing session lasts about 2–3 hours and takes place remotely via telehealth.
- You’ll take the ketamine lozenge at home with a trusted chaperone nearby while I guide you through the experience virtually.
- For a psychedelic-dose session, you’ll relax in a comfortable, reclining position with an eye mask and calming music while I provide support as needed.
- For a psycholytic-dose session (a lower dose allowing for active therapy), you’ll still take the lozenge and listen to soft music. When ready, we’ll begin therapy work while you’re still under ketamine’s effects.
4. Integration Sessions
- Within 24–48 hours after your dosing session, we’ll meet to process any insights, emotions, or memories that arose. These integration sessions help solidify the benefits of treatment and prepare you for future sessions.
5. Follow-Up with Journey Clinical
- After your second KAP session, Journey Clinical will schedule periodic follow-ups to monitor progress and provide prescription refills as needed. These follow-ups typically occur at least once per quarter.
Cost of Treatment
- Preparation & Integration Sessions: $175 (50 minutes)
- Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Dosing Sessions: $350
- Journey Clinical Medical Costs:
- First-time patients: $338 (Initial consultation + medication for first two sessions)
- Ongoing treatment: $299 (Follow-ups + medication for six sessions done quarterly)
Common Questions About KAP
Do I Need to Stop Taking My Medications?
Not necessarily. Many clients continue their medications while undergoing KAP. However, some medications—particularly antidepressants and benzodiazepines—may affect ketamine’s effectiveness. If you’re taking medications, Journey Clinical’s medical team will work with you to determine the best approach for your treatment. Any medication adjustments should be made under medical supervision.
Is Ketamine Addictive?
When used responsibly under medical supervision, ketamine has a low risk of addiction. Here’s why:
- Controlled Use: Ketamine is administered in a structured environment with professional oversight, reducing the risk of misuse.
- Therapeutic Dosage: The doses used in KAP are much lower than those used recreationally or for anesthesia.
- Limited Frequency: Ketamine is used in spaced-out sessions, preventing dependence from forming.
- Focus on Healing: The goal of KAP is to promote neuroplasticity and emotional healing, not to create a habit-forming experience or quick fix.
- Therapy Integration: The structured psychotherapy component helps process the experience in a meaningful way, reducing the potential for misuse.
What If I Feel Out of Control?
It’s normal to have concerns about feeling disconnected or overwhelmed during a session. If this is something you worry about, we’ll work through it together in preparation sessions. Journey Clinical also allows us to start with a very small “handshake” dose so you can ease into the experience gradually. You’ll never be pushed into a dosing session before you feel ready.
Next Steps
KAP offers a unique and powerful opportunity for healing. If you’re curious about whether it’s right for you, please reach out for more information.