Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

KAP

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) 101

I offer a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in partnership a medical prescriber. Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a holistic modality in which ketamine is used as a complement to psychotherapy to help eligible clients experience more frequent breakthroughs and sustained improvement in symptoms. I take on the psychotherapy portion of the experience, while the prescriber provides a thorough medical intake and evaluation which includes 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 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 using sublingual lozenges. My clients mostly use the sublingual lozenge form which can be easily self-administered.

How Does Ketamine Feel?

● 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 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, client often feel like the insights gained are none-the-less clear. 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?

1. Initial consultation with MD

● You schedule an initial evaluation with an MD via zoom. She will go over your medical and psychiatric history with you, provide education on the treatment and determine if you are eligible for KAP.

● If the prescriber determines that you are eligible for KAP, she will develop a personalized Ketamine prescription and outcome monitoring plan for you. A small amount of oral ketamine will be sent to your home, enough for the first few sessions.

2. 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.

3. KAP Dosing Sessions:

● A typical ketamine dosing session lasts between 3-4 hours and take place either in-person at my office.

● During a dosing session, you will self-administer your ketamine lozenge about an hour after you arrive at the office. 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.

4. Integration Sessions:

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

5. Follow-up consultations with MD:

● After our first few KAP sessions, you can schedule a follow up appointment with your prescriber, who may prescribe ketamine lozenge refills, as appropriate. The frequency of follow ups depends on your unique treatment plan, and may be about once per quarter.

What is the Cost of Treatment?

■ My typical hourly rate is $225/hr (limited sliding scale based on need may be available)

Typical cost breakdown could be 1x medical intake (see cost below) 2 preparation sessions, first KAP session (4 hours to allow for slower dosing for the first time), plus an integration session.
This would be one "bubble", which could be repeated as needed- often about 1x per month for the first three months depending on your specific needs.
This service is considered out of network, but I can provide a superbill that can be submitted to your insurance. Please contact your insurance provider to find out how much they will cover for one hour of psychotherapy.

○ Prescriber Medical Costs (subject to change)

$250 for a thorough one hour intake
Follow-up Sessions: $150/Session (about 1/quarter)
Cost of Ketamine Lozenges: Depends on amount, could be around $75

How Do I Sign Up?

● If you would like to explore the possibility of working with me on KAP, please e-mail me at Davi@floweroflifetherapy.org to discuss eligibility and next steps.

FAQ from Healing Realms, where I received my Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy training:

https://www.healingrealmscenter.com/faqs