Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
For people with trauma or depression who feel stuck in traditional therapy
How does ketamine assisted therapy work?
Ketamine has been shown in the research to successfully decrease treatment-resistant depression, as well as trauma symptoms. It is a legal psychedelic medicine that can support psychological growth and healing.
Ketamine impacts you in several ways. It temporarily increases your brain’s neuroplasticity, making it easier for you to shift patterns and make changes. It works on several important brain functions: the central executive network, the salience network, and the default mode network. Therapeutic ketamine journeys involve a dissociative experience that are often highly insightful and provide a new perspective.
KAP is broken down into 4 parts: medical assessment and prescription of ketamine, preparation sessions, dosing sessions, and integration therapy. I provide preparation, dosing, and integration therapy, and coordinate psychiatry referrals for clients if needed.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS LIKE?
01. Assessment & Preparation
We’ll meet for initial sessions to discuss your needs, history, goals, experiences in trauma therapy, and experience with psychedelic treatments. While there are many potential benefits of ketamine, it’s very important to me to take it slow at first, get to know you, and help you determine whether ketamine assisted psychotherapy is the best fit for you. If we move forward, we’ll dive into intentional preparation sessions to ensure that you fully understand the process and help you get ready for your dosing sessions.
02. Medical Evaluation
While we’re meeting for preparation sessions, I’ll also coordinate your referral to a psychiatrist for a medical evaluation and to prescribe the ketamine. This usually involves 1-2 appointments with the doctor, and is to ensure that ketamine will be a safe treatment option for you before moving forward. If so, the ketamine prescription will be delivered to your home. It is in a sublingual format (hold it under your tongue) that can be self-administered.
03. Dosing Sessions
We’ll meet for a series of dosing sessions, which are generally around 3 hours long. The number of sessions is partially dependent on your plan with your psychiatrist. Many clients engage in 3-6 dosing sessions over the course of several weeks. These sessions are when you’ll take the ketamine and experience your journeys. They can be done in person or virtually. I work with clients at my offices in Westminster and Denver, Colorado. If we have a virtual session, you can experience the medicine at your home with a trusted support person present.
04. Integration Sessions
We’ll schedule therapy sessions within 48 hours of your ketamine journey, so that we can dive in while your brain is still experiencing the majority of the benefits of the medicine. I typically do one integration session between each dosing session and after the last dosing session. If I have availability, we may be able to continue meeting for integration after your ketamine treatments have been completed.
KAP Investment
Your total investment in a course of ketamine assisted therapy will vary depending on your insurance coverage, number of dosing sessions, and the total cost of your medical evaluation.
Preparation and Integration Sessions:
These can be covered by insurance. I’m generally in network with Aetna, United, Optum, and Cigna plans, as well as some Blue Cross Blue Shield plans and Kaiser in Colorado.
90 minute prep or integration sessions are $225. Insurance generally doesn’t cover these sessions.
Dosing Sessions:
Each 3-hour dosing session is $750, which includes time for informed consent and instructions, intention setting, around 45-90 minutes with the medicine, and debriefing. Insurance generally doesn’t cover dosing sessions.
A package of 3 dosing sessions is $1800.
Medical Evaluation:
The medical evaluation and prescription of the medicine are determined by the particular psychiatric provider you see. I’m happy to coordinate a referral for you if needed.