Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) and Post Psychedelic Experience Integration

I offer both Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy and post experience integration for clients who have had recent personal psychedelic experience outside of therapeutic setting and wish for psychotherapy to integrate their experience.

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a new treatment 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. The medical team at Journey Clinical determining eligibility, developing a custom treatment plan, prescribing the medicine and monitoring outcomes. Below is more information about KAP to help you navigate if it may be a good fit for you.

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a medication used traditionally for anesthesia but is used off-label for the treatment of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety and PTSD. Furthermore, Sprovato, which is a nasal spray form of Ketamine, is FDA approved for treatment of Depression. 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 using sublingual lozenges. In my partnership with with Journey Clinical, only sublingual lozenge form is being offered. Sublingual lozenge is a good option for someone who does not qualify for Spravoto and tend to be more cost effective than other IV or IM options in the long run.

How Does Ketamine Feel?

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 subsided, 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 happened during the experience, patients feel like the insights gained are impactful. Studies have shown that the benefits to mood and neurological growth can last up to two weeks after the Ketamine experience.

How Does Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Work?

Consultation with Journey Clinical to determine eligibility for ketamine
Preparation sessions to align on process and set intention
KAP Dosing Session (2-3 hours) in office During a dosing session, you will self-administer your ketamine lozenge either in my office or in your home. Although a KAP dosing session may be largely an internal experience, I will bepresent with you the entire time to hold space and provide support as needed.
Integration Sessions
Follow-up consultations with Journey Clinical

What is the Cost of Treatment?

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Dosing session is typically 3 hours: $900 Insurance billing is not available
Group dosing session may be available (4 people required): $300 Insurance billing not available
Preparation and integration sessions $250 for each 50-minute session. Superbill available, and typically eligible for insurance reimbursement
Research has demonstrated a series of 6-8 dosing sessions over the course of 2-3 months are used to experienced reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety. Treatment series maybe repeated as needed.

Journey Clinical Medical Costs

Medical Intake: $250 (One time fee, reimbursable throughout-of-network)
Follow-up Sessions: $150/Session (minimum of 1/quarter,reimbursable through out-of-network)
Cost of Ketamine Lozenges: $85 for approximately 4-6 lozenges (not covered by insurance)

How Do I Sign Up?

If you would like to explore the possibility of working with me on KAP, please e-mail me at yen.wendy@gmail.com or schedule a intake thru the link the top of the page to discuss eligibility and next steps.

What is Journey Clinical?

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.

Helpful Resources:

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, 2018
Ketamine for Depression and Mood Disorders by Erica Zelfand, ND for Townsend Letter
Ketamine-Facilitated Psychotherapy for Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression by goop
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy with Jonathan Sabbagh of Journey Clinical – Psychology Talk Podcast