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 eligible patients 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.
WHAT WILL IT FEEL LIKE?
The effects of ketamine, which most patients 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, patients 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.
WHAT IS THE COST OF TREATMENT?
$800 includes:
60 minute individual virtual psychotherapy intake (waived for existing clients)
Journey Clinical Medical Intake: $250 (One time fee, reimbursable through out-of-network), paid directly to Journey Clinical. Follow-up sessions with Journey Clinical (if desired) are $150/Session (minimum of 1/quarter, reimbursable through out-of-network)
Ketamine Lozenges: $75 for approximately 4-6 lozenges (not covered by insurance) paid directly to the compounding pharmacy
90 minute virtual group preparation session
3 hour in-person group ketamine dosing session with beverages and refreshments
90 minute virtual group integration session
KETAMINE RESEARCH
Paradigms of Ketamine Treatment by 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, 2018Ketamine for Depression and Mood Disorders by Erica Zelfand, ND for
Townsend LetterKetamine-Facilitated Psychotherapy for Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression by goop
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy with Jonathan Sabbagh of Journey Clinical - Psychology Talk Podcast
