Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy

What is psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy?

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) refers to the practice of psychotherapy with the aid of a substance or medicine that produces an altered state of consciousness. When practiced with psychotherapeutic intent, PAP can deepen and hasten the process of emotional and spiritual healing from depression, trauma, anxiety, addiction, and a variety of other types of suffering.

Humans have been using consciousness-altering substances for healing purposes all over the world since prehistory. Our scientific, western, northern-hemispheric culture is just starting to appreciate the ways in which we can understand and work alongside these molecules as healing medicines. Many rigorous and published studies on PAP are showing extremely promising results regarding the use of these medicines for mental and emotional health.

Is it legal?

Currently (at the time of this writing in mid-2024) most psychedelic substances (such as psilocybin, LSD and MDMA) are illegal to possess or use in most places in the United States outside of clinical trials. However, ketamine is legal when prescribed by a medical professional. Ketamine is best used for healing within the emotionally-safe, respectful and trust-worthy container of a good therapeutic relationship.

What is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)?

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. 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 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 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?

Initial consultation with Journey Clinical
- You schedule an initial evaluation with a clinician from the Journey Clinical medical team via zoom. 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 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 staff will write a ketamine prescription for you, and a small amount of oral ketamine will be sent to your home, enough for the 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.
Preparation sessions:
- Once you receive your ketamine lozenges, 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.
KAP Dosing Session:
- A typical ketamine dosing session is scheduled for 2.5 hours, and can take place either in-person at my office, or remotely via telehealth.
- 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.
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.
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. Some portions of it may be covered by insurance, or eligible for reimbursement by your insurance company.

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Costs: I am able to bill some insurance plans directly for the preparation and integration sessions. The dosing sessions are paid directly to me: my hourly rate X 2.5 hours.
Journey Clinical Medical Costs: Please see the Journey Clinical website here for information about the cost for the medical portion of KAP: https://www.journeyclinical.com/patients

A Few Resources for More Information:

For more information on KAP, please give me a call at (360) 287-4391 or email me using the form below.

Please note that I do not condone the use of any illegal substances.