Psychedelic Assisted Therapy (Ketamine Assisted Therapy)
We offer a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in partnership with an organization called Physician Psychedelics – Dr. Clarice Baumgartner.
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 Physician Psychedelics’ medical team 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 lozenges. In my work with Physician Psychedelics, we use the IM or rapid dissolving 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. 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.
How Does Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Work?
1. Initial consultation with Physician Psychedelics
● You schedule an initial evaluation with a clinician from the Physician Psychedelics medical team. 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 Physician Psychedelics medical team determines that you are eligible for KAP, they will develop a personalized Ketamine prescription and outcome monitoring plan for you.
● Physician Psychedelics medical staff will write a ketamine prescription for you, and a small amount of oral ketamine will be sent to your home. You will be taught to self-administer the ketamine lozenges by Physician Psychedelics in advance of our KAP session.
2. Preparation sessions:
● Once you treatment plan, 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 Session:
● A typical ketamine dosing session lasts between 2-3 hours and takes place in-person at my office.
● During a dosing session, you will self-administer your ketamine lozenge either in my office or Physician Psychedelics will be on-site for the IM injection. 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. Those sessions can be in-person or via video.
5. What is the Cost of Treatment?
○ Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
■ Current hourly rate is $230/hr for meeting with Psychologist
○ Physician Psychedelics Medical Costs
■ First-time patients
● Initial medical consultation with Physician Psychedelics : $250
● Cost of medication: TBD