ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP)

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 and last for up to 2 weeks. 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 via sublingual lozenges. In my work with Journey Clinical, we only use the sublingual lozenge form.

Once we decide that KAP is something you’d like to try, you’ll schedule an initial evaluation with a clinician from the Journey Clinical medical team via Zoom. They will go over your medical and psychiatric history with you, provide education on the treatment and determine if you are eligible for KAP.

If Journey Clinical’s medical team determines that you are eligible for KAP, they will develop a personalized Ketamine prescription and outcome monitoring plan for you.

Journey Clinical’s medical staff will write a ketamine prescription for you, and enough medicine for the first 2 KAP sessions will be sent to you. You will be taught to take your vitals and self-administer the ketamine lozenges by Journey Clinical’s medical team in advance of our KAP sessions.

Preparation sessions

Once you receive your ketamine lozenges, we will schedule time together for our KAP preparation, dosing, and integration sessions. Preparation session(s) will be scheduled just like regular therapy sessions prior to the KAP dosing session. The goal of a preparation session(s) is to align on the process and set intentions for our KAP sessions together

KAP Dosing Session

A typical ketamine dosing session lasts between 3-4 hours and takes place in person at my office or depending on location and other factors, in the comfort of your own home.

During a dosing session, you will be in a comfortable, reclining position wearing an eye mask and listening to calming music. Although a KAP dosing session may be largely an internal experience, I will be present with you the entire time to hold space and provide support as needed.

Integration Sessions

After our KAP dosing session, we will meet for multiple integration therapy sessions to review the memories, thoughts, and insights that arose during your dosing session, and if applicable, to prepare for your next dosing session.

Follow-up consultations with Journey Clinical

After our first KAP session, Journey Clinical’s medical team schedules regular follow-ups with you to monitor outcomes and, as appropriate, prescribe ketamine lozenge refills. The frequency of follow-ups depends on your unique treatment plan.

Preparation and Integration sessions are my regular rate of $200/50-minute session. Ketamine dosing sessions range from 3-4 hours and are $750/session.

Journey Clinical Medical Costs

Medical Intake: One-time fee of $250

Follow-up Sessions: $150/Session

Cost of Ketamine Lozenges: $75 for approximately 4-6 lozenges

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Medical intake and follow-ups are not covered by insurance but may be eligible for out-of-network reimbursement. Depending on your situation, a sliding scale may be available.

Journey Clinical is a platform for licensed psychotherapists to incorporate science-based psychedelic therapies in their practice safely and effectively, starting with Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). Journey Clinical’s in-house medical team takes on patient eligibility, prescriptions, and outcome monitoring, while I take on the therapy. Their collaborative care model is designed to deliver personalized treatment plans to meet your individual needs and improve long-term outcomes.