Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy can complement traditional therapy to help eligible patients experience more frequent breakthroughs and sustained improvement in symptoms. I take on the psychotherapy portion of the experience, while an external medical provider supports you on all medical aspects. This includes determining eligibility, developing a treatment plan, prescribing the medicine and monitoring outcomes.

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. 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 external medical providers we use the sublingual lozenge form.

How Does Ketamine Feel?

The effects of ketamine, which most patients find pleasant, last for approximately an hour. 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 sitting or lying down in a comfortable position during the experience. Once these effects subside, 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 happens during the experience, clients often feel like the insights gained are clear. In higher doses, ketamine can have a profound consciousness altering effect that may be considered psychedelic. Sometimes such experiences can feel deeply spiritual.

How does Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy work?

1. Initial consultation with medical prescriber, eligibility check and ketamine prescription.

2. Preparation sessions together to align on the process and set intentions for the KAP dosing session.

3. KAP dosing session: You will self-administer your ketamine lozenge at my office. I’ll provide music for the experience, a comfortable couch and I’ll be there to support and process what emerges with you.

4. Integration sessions to review the memories, thoughts & insights that arise during your dosing session.

5. Follow-up consultations with external medical prescriber with prescription refills if eligible.

What is the Cost of Treatment?

I try to make Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy affordable and accessible. Please reach out to discuss rates for KAP sessions. I offer sliding scale options if needed.

How do I sign up?

If you would like to explore the possibility of working with me with KAP, please contact me directly to discuss eligibility and next steps.

Helpful Resources:

1. Paradigms of Ketamine Treatment by Raquel Bennett, Psy.D. for MAPS

2. 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

3. Ketamine for Depression and Mood Disorders by Erica Zelfand, ND for Townsend Letter

4. Ketamine-Facilitated Psychotherapy for Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression by goop

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