Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

 If you’d like to speak to us about the program, schedule a time below.

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What is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, or KAP, is therapy supported with the use of the synthetic compound Ketamine. Ketamine is a type of anesthetic that has been used for a very long time in surgical settings. It’s a class of medication called a dissociative anesthetic. Researchers have discovered that using it at therapeutic doses, in therapeutic settings, are effective at treating symptoms of PTSD and treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. New research is coming out all of the time about the benefits of this medicine used in therapeutic doses and supported by a therapeutic container. We love this work and are grateful to be able to offer it, considering the amount of healing we’ve seen it catalyze. Our team is comprised of practitioners with decades of experience, continued education and training by MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) and CIIS (the California Institute of Integrative Studies).  Our team has even created a training protocol for future providers to be able to offer this healing method. In our clinic, we see those who haven’t seen many results from talk therapy or medication and who turn to this treatment in the hopes of alleviating their symptoms and reclaiming their lives. 

Types of KAP offered

Individual

Individual sessions are one on one. This is where an individual has a therapist in a one-on-one setting. Some people may require this method due to medical limitations or due to what they are looking to heal. This is largely a personal decision whether a client receives services individually or in a group or relationship setting. If you’re curious about what method might be best for you, please discuss this at your psychiatric evaluation with our medical provider. 

Relationship

This is where  there are two people receiving services together. This could be any combination of two people, parent-child, intimate partner, siblings, etc. This is like relationship counseling with the aid of ketamine to support the bonding process and support the individuals to communicate in a different way with one another. 

Group

Group KAP is a group of 4 people with a therapist and a medical provider. A therapist may also have a trainee therapist with them at the time. This structure serves to create community and provides peer support along with therapeutic support. This is especially helpful when a group of people have a shared experience. We are currently in the process of applying for funding to be able to offer this service to affinity groups who have been marginalized. 

Info on KAP

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is an incredibly useful anesthetic agent. Its technical class is as a dissociative anesthetic. In low doses, it is useful as an analgesic (pain-relief) and anxiolytic (anxiety-reduction). More recently, it’s off label use has been shown to improve a variety of mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety and PTSD. It is available only by prescription and it is now considered a potent psychedelic. In a safe “set and setting”, ketamine can contribute to profound psychological and spiritual insights. As with all other psychedelics, ketamine is not a magic bullet and the most benefit is seen when used in conjunction with therapy and other lifestyle changes. 

Benefits

This powerful, quick-acting, and quick to wear off psychedelic can elicit a state of wonder by manifesting extraordinary visuals and inspiring a deeply felt presence. When coupled with therapeutic integration, ketamine has shown to be helpful for the relief of treatment-resistant depression and trauma-related (PTSD) symptoms such as anxiety, hopelessness, disordered eating, and poor sleep. Ketamine also is not sertonergic, so unlike other classic psychedelics, clients do not need to stop using their psychiatric medications in order to participate in this modality. 

Read more about KAP on our FAQ page.

Have more questions? Check out psychedelic.support’s  guide to Ketamine Treatment for Mental Health covers its history, pharmacology, positive and negative effects, contradictions, and its psychotherapeutic applications.

Packages and Fees

We accept most major forms of insurance that we can bill for the preparation session, integration sessions, and one of the three hours of the medicine session. That leaves the psychiatric evaluation, two of the three hours of the medicine session and the medicine itself as the out-of-pocket expenses. Check out a more detailed fee schedule here.

You and your prescriber will determine how many sessions but best practices advise at lease 3 KAP sessions followed by integration and then re-evaluate. At that time, another 3 sessions may be recommended or possibly move to maintenance. We require the psychiatric evaluation and 1 therapy session to prepare for the first KAP dosing session. We also recommend at least 1 integration session after your KAP session. You don’t have to transfer care if you are working with another therapist, in fact we encourage that and love collaborating with other therapists interested in this work.

Next Steps

If you have more questions, consider booking a paid 30 minute psychedelic consultation. Please note this is NOT a consultation to start traditional talk therapy sessions with us. If you are looking to start ongoing therapy with us, please reach out via email.

If you are ready to move forward with KAP or would like to schedule a psychedelic consultation, please click here.