Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
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.
About KAP
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.
How is it administered?
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.
What is the cost of KAP treatment?
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is an affordable, accessible modality. Although the medical intake and follow ups are not covered by insurance, they are eligible for out-of-network reimbursement.
First-time patients
- Initial medical consultation with Journey Clinical: $250
- Cost of medication: $88 (enough for 2 sessions)
Ongoing treatment
- Follow-up medical consultation with Journey Clinical $150
- (at least 1X per quarter)
- Cost of medication: $148 (enough for up to 6 sessions)
How Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy works
Initial Consultation
You schedule an initial evaluation to go over your medical and psychiatric history with you, provide education on the treatment and determine if you are eligible for KAP.
Personal Plan
If you are eligible for KAP, we’ll develop a personalized Ketamine prescription and outcome monitoring plan for you.
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.
Prep 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 lasts between 1-2 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 Consultation
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.
Schedule a free consultation to see if KAP is the right fit for you.
About
Chrissy
I’m a trauma-informed licensed marriage and family therapist #84340. I’m trained in Experiential Therapy (Experiential therapy is a type of therapy that allows clients to use expressive tools, activities, and other methods to heal specific situations from the past and present), Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Nonlinear Movement, and EMDR. I consider it my life’s calling to hold space for people on their healing journey.
What makes me unique is that I have been to my own dark places and I’m committed to learning and growing into my fullest self. I spent most of my life trying to be “good enough” not realizing I already was. That distorted thought was rooted deep in my psyche which manifested in: anxiety, panic disorder, depression, anorexia, binge-eating disorder and catastrophic thinking. I love to share my personal story of healing and how I found freedom and released shame around my sensuality, sexuality and fear of death.
I’ve found freedom and healing on the other side of pain and mental health issues and have learned I was never broken.. You’re not broken either… Your courage to heal is evidence of that. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work.
Ketamine-Assisted Therapy
FAQs
Unfortunately, no. If your insurance accepts out of network providers I can provide a superbill for you to be reimbursed.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is an affordable, accessible modality. Although the medical intake and follow ups are not covered by insurance, they are eligible for out-of-network reimbursement.
First-time patients
- Initial medical consultation with Journey Clinical: $250
- Cost of medication: $88 (enough for 2 sessions)
Ongoing treatment
- Follow-up medical consultation with Journey Clinical $150
- (at least 1X per quarter)
- Cost of medication: $148 (enough for up to 6 sessions)
My therapy practice is located in Encinitas, CA. I see therapy clients in-person at my office and via tele-health across California.
I see coaching clients online globally.
I offer individual and couples therapy as well as Ketamine assisted therapy.
Yes, to patients in California.
Journey Clinical is a platform for licensed psychotherapists to incorporate science-based psychedelic therapies in their practice safely and effectively, starting with Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). Journey Clinical’s in-house medical team takes on patient eligibility, prescriptions and outcome monitoring, while I take on the therapy. Their collaborative care model is designed to deliver personalized treatment plans to meet your individual needs and improve long-term outcomes.
