I offer select adult clients a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (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. I take on the psychotherapy portion of the experience, and I collaborate with a medical who supports you on all medical aspects. This 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. In my work, we only use the sublingual lozenge form.
How Does Ketamine Feel?
● The effects of ketamine, which most patients find pleasant, last for approximately 45-60 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. Typically a series of 4-6 Ketamine sessions are offered, sometimes followed by booster sessions depending on client need.
How Does Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Work?
● You schedule an initial evaluation with me go over your medical and psychiatric history with you, provide education on the treatment and determine if you are eligible for KAP.
● If you are eligible, you would then meet with a collaborating medical provider via Zoom for a medical evaluation to make sure you are a good fit with KAP medically and that are no contraindications. If a fit, the medical will prescribe a small number of ketamine
● 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. A typical ketamine dosing session lasts between 2-3 hours and takes in-person at my office. During a dosing session, you will self-administer your ketamine lozenge either in my office or in your home. 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 provide support as needed.
4. 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. Periodically you will have a follow ion consultations with the medical provider.
Helpful Resources:
1. Paradigms of Ketamine Treatment by Raquel Bennett, Psy.D. for MAPS
2. 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
3. Ketamine for Depression and Mood Disorders by Erica Zelfand, ND for
Townsend Letter
4. Ketamine-Facilitated Psychotherapy for Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression by goop
5. Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy with Jonathan Sabbagh of Journey Clinical - Psychology Talk Podcast
