Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
We are excited to introduce Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) as a new addition to our therapeutic services! KAP combines the therapeutic benefits of ketamine with expert guidance, offering a unique and transformative path to mental well-being. To stay informed about this new offering, we invite you to monitor our website for updates on program specifics and availability. For those eager to explore KAP, you can read more information below and complete the pre-screening directly on our website now to take the first step towards accessing this innovative treatment.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a medication that belongs to the class of dissociative anesthetics. It was first synthesized in the 1960s and has since been used primarily as a safe and effective anesthetic in medical and veterinary settings. Ketamine is included on the World Health Organizations’ list of essential medications and has been FDA-approved since 1970.
In addition to its anesthetic properties, ongoing research suggests Ketamine can play a significant therapeutic role when administered in small doses. Ketamine has been found to interact with various neurotransmitter systems, including glutamate, which plays a crucial role in mood regulation and cognitive function. Ketamine also enhances neuroplasticity in the brain which can help stimulate new connections and undo the loss of neural connection commonly caused by long-term anxiety or depression. Furthermore, ketamine can also reset the brain’s default mode network (DMN). By resetting the DMN, ketamine can create the opportunity for people to interrupt maladaptive thinking patterns and establish new, adaptive patterns. This unique pharmacological profile is not found in other antidepressants and has led to the exploration of ketamine’s potential as a fast-acting, therapeutic agent in the treatment of severe anxiety, treatment resistant depression, PTSD, OCD, Substance Use Disorder, and Eating Disorders.
What is Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)?
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is an innovative therapeutic approach that combines the use of ketamine with psychotherapeutic techniques to treat a variety of mental health conditions. The use of ketamine as a supplement to psychotherapy can help enhance the therapeutic experience and facilitate psychological exploration. In KAP, a trained therapist administers a controlled dose of ketamine in a therapeutic setting. Ketamine is known to induce altered states of consciousness, and some studies suggest that it may have rapid-acting antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects. Additionally, ketamine functions as a catalyst and amplifier of the psyche, making deep unconscious dynamics available for conscious processing, potentially allowing individuals to gain insights into their thought patterns, emotions, and past experiences.
The psychotherapeutic component is crucial in KAP, as it helps individuals explore and process the thoughts, emotions, and memories that may arise during the ketamine-induced state. While pharmacotherapy has been approved, experiential treatments on their own may leave clients feeling stimulated, but without any profound change. By integrating ketamine into a therapeutic framework, this approach aims to foster lasting change by addressing the root causes of distress. In a safe, supportive environment, therapists work collaboratively with individuals to make sense of the experiences, identify patterns, and develop coping strategies. The insights gained during the ketamine-assisted sessions are then integrated into the broader therapeutic process. This integration is a key aspect of using ketamine as a supplement to therapy, as it helps individuals apply what they learn during the sessions to their daily lives and creates a unique and potentially transformative experience for individuals seeking relief from psychological distress.
Although research suggests ketamine may have fast-acting antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects, KAP is not intended as a one-time solution. It typically involves a series of sessions spaced over time, allowing for ongoing therapeutic work. This long-term commitment allows individuals to take advantage of the unique conditions created by a ketamine-induced state and address deep-seated issues and make sustained progress in their mental health journey. Through integration, individuals can discover inner peace, cultivate compassion for both themselves and others, experience heightened openness, and enhance overall well-being.
What can I expect from Kap at flourish?
Intake and Medical Screening: One session
You schedule an initial evaluation with a clinician from the Journey Clinical medical team via zoom or with Peak Interactive Wellness. 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 the medical team determines that you are eligible for KAP, they will develop a personalized Ketamine prescription and outcome monitoring plan for you.
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.
2. Preparation Sessions: 2-3 sessions
You will meet with your assigned therapist to discuss your history and set intentions for KAP. They will make sure that you are fully prepared for your dosage sessions and have a treatment plan to get the most out of your experience.
3. Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Sessions: one “round” of KAP includes one experiential session and one integration session. Most people finish treatment in 6-8 rounds of KAP over the course of 3-4 months
Experiential Sessions: Therapists are present the whole time for the first session, which often lasts about 1-2 hours. Ketamine tablets are delivered to your home and you will bring the tablet with you to the session. We ask that you bring a trusted person with you to the session to ensure safe transit home and so they can learn to be your safety guide for future administration sessions at home.
Integration Sessions: This is a session with your assigned therapist to process your experience, usually within 3 days of your experiential session. We review your thoughts, emotions, experience and insights and plan for the next experiential session.
4. Follow up with Medical Team
You will meet with your Medication Provider 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.
How do I know when I’m done with Kap sessions?
We monitor your progress closely to determine the appropriate number of sessions. Most people have between 6-8 KAP sessions and experience some symptom relief and new insights to help them make progress with regular therapy.
What if I get Ketamine elsewhere; Can I do integration sessions with flourish?
There are a number of facilities that offer stand alone ketamine therapy. We offer supplemental integration sessions coordinated around your outside ketamine experiential sessions to help you get the most out of your experience.
What is Journey Clinical?
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.
Helpful Resources:
Paradigms of Ketamine Treatment by RaquelBennett, Psy.D. for MAPS
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP): Patient Demographics, Clinical Data
and Outcomes in Three Large Practices Administering Ketamine with
Psychotherapy - research study by Jennifer Dore et al, 2018
Ketamine for Depression and Mood Disorders by Erica Zelfand, ND for
Townsend Letter
Ketamine-Facilitated Psychotherapy for Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression by
goop
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy with Jonathan Sabbagh of Journey Clinical
- Psychology Talk Podcast