Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)
A Thoughtful Approach to Lasting Change
There are times when traditional psychotherapy alone may not feel like enough. You may understand your patterns intellectually but continue to feel stuck emotionally. You may find yourself repeating familiar ways of thinking, relating, or responding despite genuine effort and insight.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is designed for those moments.
KAP combines psychotherapy with medically supervised ketamine to help increase psychological flexibility and deepen the therapeutic process. While ketamine can provide relief from symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma, its greatest value often lies in creating new opportunities for meaningful psychological work.
In my practice, ketamine is never viewed as a stand-alone treatment. Instead, it is integrated into an ongoing psychodynamic psychotherapy process where preparation, reflection, and integration are just as important as the medicine itself.
My Approach to KAP
Psychotherapy remains at the heart of treatment.
Ketamine is used as an adjunct to therapy—not as a replacement for it.
My goal is not simply to help you have a meaningful medicine experience. My goal is to help you understand yourself more deeply, work through emotional obstacles, and create lasting change that extends beyond the treatment room.
Throughout treatment, we remain focused on your goals, your relationships, your history, and the patterns that continue to shape your life.
Who May Benefit?
KAP may be helpful for individuals experiencing:
Depression
Anxiety
PTSD and trauma-related concerns
Persistent negative self-beliefs
Emotional numbness or disconnection
Grief and life transitions
A sense of feeling "stuck" despite ongoing therapy
Not everyone is an appropriate candidate for ketamine. Medical eligibility is determined through a comprehensive evaluation by Journey Clinical's medical team.
What Treatment Looks Like
Treatment follows a structured process that combines medicine sessions with ongoing psychotherapy.
Ketamine Session
Every other week | 2½ hours
Each Ketamine Session consists of three phases:
Preparation (approximately 30 minutes)
We begin by reviewing how you've been doing, exploring important themes that have emerged since our last meeting, and identifying an intention for the session.
Ketamine Journey (approximately 90 minutes)
After taking your prescribed ketamine lozenge, you'll settle comfortably on the couch while the medicine takes effect. Many people choose to wear eyeshades and listen to music, allowing their attention to turn inward.
Experiences vary widely. Some people encounter vivid imagery or emotions, while others notice subtle shifts in perspective or a sense of openness. There is no "right" experience.
Throughout the session, I remain present to provide support while allowing your experience to unfold naturally.
Initial Integration (approximately 30 minutes)
As the medicine wears off, we spend time discussing what feels most meaningful while helping you transition comfortably back into everyday awareness.
Integration Sessions
Later that same week, you'll return for an Integration Session.
Although these appointments resemble traditional psychotherapy, they often feel different. During the days following a ketamine session, many people experience greater psychological flexibility and openness, creating an opportunity to deepen therapeutic work.
Together, we explore the themes, emotions, memories, and insights that emerged during your medicine session while connecting them to your broader treatment goals.
On the weeks between Ketamine Sessions, we continue meeting for weekly Integration Sessions to maintain momentum and continue the therapeutic process.
Why Integration Matters
Many people think the ketamine experience itself is the treatment.
In reality, meaningful change develops through what happens afterward.
Insights gained during a ketamine session become most valuable when they are reflected upon, understood, and integrated into daily life. The medicine may open new perspectives, but psychotherapy helps those perspectives become lasting change.
For this reason, integration is considered an essential part of treatment rather than an optional follow-up.
What Can I Expect during the ketamine Journey?
No two ketamine experiences are exactly alike.
Some people experience:
Greater emotional openness
New perspectives on long-standing problems
Vivid memories or imagery
Increased self-compassion
A temporary reduction in self-critical thinking
A deeper sense of connection to themselves or others
Others experience very little that feels dramatic.
Both experiences can be meaningful.
Often, the most significant changes become apparent in the days and weeks that follow through continued psychotherapy.
FAQs
Will I be asleep?
No. Ketamine creates an altered state of consciousness, but most people remain aware of their surroundings throughout the experience.
Will I remember the session?
Most people remember much of the experience, although parts may feel dreamlike or difficult to describe.
Will I be alone?
No. I remain present throughout your Ketamine Session to provide support and ensure your comfort.
How often are Ketamine Sessions scheduled?
Most patients participate in a Ketamine Session every other week while continuing weekly psychotherapy.
How many sessions will I need?
Treatment is individualized. Together, we'll regularly evaluate your progress and determine the course that best supports your goals. The research shows that lasting change usually requires 8-16 Ketamine sessions.
Why Work With a Psychotherapist Instead of a Ketamine Clinic?
In many settings, ketamine is provided primarily as a medical treatment. In my practice, ketamine is integrated into an ongoing psychotherapy process. The medicine is one part of treatment, but the therapeutic relationship, careful preparation, and thoughtful integration are what help translate the experience into meaningful and lasting change.
Fees & Insurance
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy involves two separate components of care:
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy sessions are billed through my practice according to my standard fees and insurance policies.
Ketamine Session (2½ hours): $500
Integration Session : $200 (or billed as a standard psychotherapy session through insurance)
Medical Evaluation & Medication
To provide Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy safely and effectively, I collaborate with Journey Clinical, whose licensed medical providers oversee all medical aspects of treatment. This includes your medical evaluation, determining whether ketamine is an appropriate treatment option, prescribing the medication, and providing ongoing medication management throughout your care.
This collaborative model allows me to focus fully on the psychotherapy while ensuring that your medical care is managed by clinicians with specialized expertise in ketamine treatment.
Medical services provided by Journey Clinical are billed separately from psychotherapy services and may be covered by insurance, depending on your plan. You'll receive detailed information about their fees and insurance coverage during your medical evaluation.
You can review Journey Clinical's current pricing and insurance information here.
Ready to Learn More?
If you're curious about whether Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy may be right for you, I'd be happy to discuss your goals and answer your questions during a consultation.
Together, we can determine whether this approach is an appropriate fit for your needs and begin building a treatment plan tailored to your goals.