Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

I have been trained in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) through Fluence, and have attended an experiential, retreat-style training for therapists through Living Medicine Institute.

I am currently offering Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in partnership with an organization called Journey Clinical.

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, while Journey Clinical’s medical team supports you on all medical aspects such as determining eligibility, developing a custom treatment plan, prescribing the medicine, and monitoring outcomes.

In my work with clients, I have seen first-hand the benefits Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy can provide towards healing from complex PTSD. I have personally witnessed dramatic results in my clients who have felt stuck and unable to move out of a depressed or suicidal state enough to be able to take the necessary steps to improve their lives.

I have seen clients shift from treatment-resistant depression and suicidal thinking to feeling hopeful, optimistic, and willing to create the daily habits needed to lead a fulfilling life in just one to two KAP sessions.

I have also witnessed clients gain the ability to fully integrate new, reality-based beliefs about themselves and their value in the world and in their relationships. Beliefs they were often able to achieve intellectually through therapy but, due to extensive childhood trauma, had been previously unable to act from.

Please click here for more information about KAP and to explore whether it may be a good fit for you.

How Does KAP Work?

• Initial consultation with Journey Clinical: You start by scheduling 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 a small amount of oral ketamine will be sent to your home, enough for the first 2 KAP sessions. 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 sessions will be scheduled just like regular therapy sessions prior to the KAP dosing session. The goal of a preparation session is for us to align on the process and set intentions for our KAP session together.
• KAP Dosing Session: A typical ketamine dosing session lasts between 1-2 hours and takes place remotely via Zoom. During a dosing session, you will self-administer your ketamine lozenge 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 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 & insights that arose during your dosing session, and to prepare for the 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 prescribe ketamine lozenge refills, as appropriate.

Helpful Resources:

1. Paradigms of Ketamine Treatment by Raquel Bennett, Psy.D. for MAPS https://maps.org/news/bulletin/paradigms-of-ketamine-treatment-spring-2019/

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 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02791072.2019.1587556

3. Ketamine for Depression and Mood Disorders by Erica Zelfand, ND for Townsend Letter https://www.townsendletter.com/article/438-ketamine-for-depression-and-mood-disorders/

4. Ketamine-Facilitated Psychotherapy for Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression by goop https://goop.com/wellness/health/ketamine-facilitated-psychotherapy/

5. Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy with Jonathan Sabbagh of Journey Clinical – Psychology Talk Podcast https://www.spreaker.com/user/11347814/ketamine-assited-psychotherapy-with-jona

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