Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) 101
I offer a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in partnership with an organization called Journey Clinical.
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, while Journey Clinical’s medical team supports you on all medical aspects. This includes determining eligibility, developing a custom treatment plan, prescribing the medicine and monitoring outcomes. Here’s a link to more information about KAP to see if it may be a good fit for you. https://journey.click/education
What is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?
KAP is a legal modality that pairs ketamine treatment with dedicated psychotherapy sessions for deeper therapy, more frequent breakthroughs, and better clinical outcomes. To learn more about KAP, visit https://journey.click/education
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 rapid-acting antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects, which can begin to take effect within 1-2 hours after treatment and last for up to 2 weeks. Ketamine works by blocking the brain’s NMDA receptors as well as by stimulating AMPA receptors. AMPA receptors are thought to help form new synaptic connections while boosting 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, nasal spray and sublingual lozenges. In my work with Journey Clinical, we only use the sublingual lozenge form.
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 subside, we will spend the remainder of our appointment giving you space to process and discuss your experience. There is no expectation to discuss your experience after the substance wears off! While it may feel hard to articulate what happened during the experience, clients may experience deeper processing of trauma(s) through dreams.
How Does Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Work?
1. Initial consultation with Journey Clinical
You schedule an initial evaluation with a clinician from the Journey Clinical medical team via Zoom. The team 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 team will write a ketamine prescription for you, and a small amount of oral ketamine will be sent to your home, enough for your 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.
2. 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 before the KAP dosing session. The goal of a preparation session(s) is to align on the process, set intentions, and answer any questions you may have about the process.
3. KAP Dosing Session:
A typical ketamine dosing session lasts between 1-2 hours and can take place either in-person or remotely via telehealth. If you prefer telehealth, a chaperone will be required to be present during your journey.
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 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, in addition to preparing for your next dosing session.
5. 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. The frequency of follow-ups depends on your unique treatment plan, at a minimum of once per quarter.
What is the Cost of Treatment?
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is an affordable, accessible modality. Your medical intake and follow-ups MAY be covered by insurance; if not, your appointments are eligible for out-of-network reimbursement via a SuperBill.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Sessions
My typical hourly rate is $165/hr
Journey Clinical Medical Costs
KAP Consultation: $250
Non-covered services (including medication): $112
KAP Follow-Up:
Consultation: $150
Non-covered services (including medication): $208
Medication Management (regular psychiatry appointment):
$250 flat fee
Journey Clinical Insurance Information: https://journeyclinical.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/28002696219028-Insurance-FAQs
How Do I Sign Up?
If you would like to explore the possibility of working with me on KAP, please email me at brittanygarza@balanceandboundariesllc.com 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 determines client eligibility, prescriptions, and outcome monitoring, while I take on the psychotherapy. 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
