Ketamine Assisted Therapy (KAP)
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. KAP has been shown to improve treatment resistant depression and PTSD. It is also showing promising results in clients with OCD and Eating Disorders as well as clients who struggle with rigidity of thoughts and behaviors/beliefs and who want to experience the benefits of the neuroplasticity that this experience facilitates in the brain.
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. 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. 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 work with Journey Clinical we only use the sublingual lozenge form.
How does it work in session?
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. 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 happened during the experience, patients 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.
The Steps
Step One
Initial consultation with your Journey Clinical prescriber, eligibility check and ketamine prescription
Step Two
Preparation sessions together to align on the process and set intentions for the KAP dosing session
Step Three
KAP dosing session: You will self-administer your ketamine lozenge at my office
Step Four
Integration sessions to review the memories, thoughts & insights that arose during your dosing session
Step Five
Follow-up consultations with Journey Clinical for prescription refills if eligible
Step Six
Ongoing integration and assessment for supplemental KAP session. Clients usually require between 2-6 sessions, or longer depending on scheduling availability.
I work directly with a trauma-informed physician, through Journey Clinical, to incorporate science-based psychedelic therapies in my practice safely and effectively, starting with KAP. I take on the psychotherapy portion of the experience while our MD (also trained in KAP) brings a nuanced and personalized approach to starting our healing work. The MD determines eligibility, develops a custom treatment plan, prescribes the medicine and monitors outcomes. Providing a collaborative care model, we deliver personalized treatment plans to meet your individual needs and improve long-term outcomes.