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What is Ketamine Therapy?

What is Ketamine Therapy?

by | Jul 20, 2022 | Ketamine Therapy

What is Ketamine Therapy?

I offer a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a holistic modality in which ketamine is used as a complement to psychotherapy to help eligible clients experience more frequent breakthroughs and sustained improvement in symptoms. I take on the psychotherapy portion of the experience, while my 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. 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, nasal spray, and using sublingual lozenges. In my work with Ketamine Therapy, 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 subside, 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 happens during the experience, patients feel like the insights gained are clear.

How Do I Sign Up for Ketamine Therapy?

If you would like to explore the possibility of working with me using Ketamine Therapy, please e-mail me directly to discuss eligibility and next steps.


How Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Works

Initial Consultation

Schedule an initial evaluation with our medical team via zoom to determine if you are eligible for KAP. If you qualify, a small amount of oral ketamine will be sent to your home, enough for the first 2 KAP sessions.

Preparation Session

 Preparation sessions will be scheduled just like regular therapy sessions prior to the KAP dosing session. The goal of a preparation session is to align 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.

Integration Session

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

After our first KAP session, our medical team schedules regular follow-ups with you to monitor outcomes and prescribe ketamine lozenge refills, as appropriate.

Helpful Resources 

1. Paradigms of Ketamine Treatment by Raquel Bennett, Psy.D. for MAPS

2. 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

3. Ketamine for Depression and Mood Disorders by Erica Zelfand, ND for Townsend Letter

4. Ketamine-Facilitated Psychotherapy for Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression by goop

 
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