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KETAMINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY

WHAT IS KETAMINE?

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a holistic modality in which ketamine is used as a complement to psychotherapy to help clients experience more frequent breakthroughs and sustained improvement in symptoms. I take on the psychotherapy portion of the experience, while Journey Clinical’s medical team supports you on all medical aspects. This includes determining eligibility, developing a custom treatment plan, prescribing the medicine and monitoring outcomes.

WHY USE 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.

WHAT DOES A KETAMINE DOSING SESSION LOOK LIKE?

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 Journey Clinical, we only use the sublingual lozenge form, which means you can use it at home!

WHAT WILL IT FEEL LIKE?

The effects of ketamine, which most clients find pleasant, last for approximately 45 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 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 feel like the insights gained are clear. Studies have shown that the benefits to mood and neurological growth can last up to two weeks after the Ketamine experience.

KETAMINE RESEARCH

  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

PLANT BASED MEDICINES

PSILOCYBIN

Under the Natural Medicine Health Act (SB23-290), Gov. Jared Polis signed into law in 2023 in Colorado, adults age 21+ may possess psilocybin for personal use. This legislature also provided regulation for licensed psilocybin healing centers and facilitators. I can provide referrals to licensed healing facilitators and centers. I can also provide integration support for personal use of psilocybin. 

CANNABIS AND OTHER PLANTS

Cannabis is also legal to possess and use in Colorado for adults age 21+ and can be purchased at retail recreational and medical dispensaries throughout the state. I can guide clients through therapeutic use of cannabis and through the integration process. Is there some other plant based medicine you're already using and want support to integrate? Let's chat about it!

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