What is ketamine-assisted psychotherapy?
Ketamine, originally developed as an anesthetic, has been FDA approved for the management of treatment-resistant depression and studied as a treatment for other physical and mental health conditions. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is the innovative therapeutic approach where ketamine is administered at sub-anesthetic doses under the guidance of trained KAP clinicians. The dissociative qualities of ketamine can facilitate a heightened state of introspection and receptivity, potentially enabling individuals to explore and address deep-seated emotional or psychological issues. When combined with integration therapy, KAP aims to create an optimal mental environment for processing the experience, potentially leading to further insights, emotional breakthroughs, and therapeutic growth. Ketamine’s most unique therapeutic value is the ability to stimulate neuroplasticity for up to two weeks, which encourages consecutive sessions for the reinforcement of therapeutic insights. A single session will create a lasting impression; however, the most successful protocols recommend a minimum of one session per week for three to six weeks.
What to expect during KAP?
Patients will have an initial consultation with a trained KAP clinician where their medical history, family history, current symptoms, and treatment goals will be discussed. A personalized treatment plan will be developed with an emphasis on intention and integration. Patients will receive their KAP workbook and schedule their ketamine experience sessions and integration sessions. A compounding pharmacy will supply the patient with ketamine lozenges for a safe and approachable experience.
Patients will return to the office for their ketamine experience session (60-90 minutes). After the session, patients will relax and process the experience (60 minutes). Within one to two days, patients will connect with a trained KAP therapist who will assist them in bringing together the concepts, images, symbols, words, and feelings that came up during the ketamine experience (45-50 minutes). Each ketamine experience will present new therapeutic insights for integration and healing.
What conditions may benefit from KAP?
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Suicidal ideations
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
- Substance use disorder (SUD)
- Chronic pain
- Chronic fatigue
What is the cost and insurance coverage for KAP?
While the initial consultation may be covered by insurance, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is an out-of-network treatment. Insurance will not be billed for the ketamine experience sessions or integration sessions. Patients will be billed directly for each session or as a package of sessions. A statement will be provided, which patients may submit to their insurance company for potential reimbursement.
Single session – $650
Three session package – $1800 ($600 per session)
Six session package – $3200 ($550 per session)