Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) 101
COMING IN AUGUST 2023!
Erin Weingart, LCSW-R offers 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. Erin will work with you 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.
KAP FAQ’s
What is Ketamine?
The sublingual lozenge form of Ketamine will be the type used in our work at Journey Clinical. This legal and safe medicine has proven to be effective in treating various mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Its rapid-acting antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects can start to take effect within just one to two hours after treatment and can last up to two weeks. The way ketamine works is by blocking and helping the brain form new synaptic connections, which boosts neural circuits responsible for regulating stress and mood. Additionally, ketamine has been found to enhance overall neuroplasticity, leading to long-lasting symptom improvement.
How does Ketamine feel?
The effects of ketamine, which are generally enjoyable for most people, typically last around 45 minutes to an hour. These effects may cause a sense of detachment from the body and allow for shifts in perception that are often expansive in nature. During the experience, your motor and verbal abilities may be reduced, so we will ensure that you are comfortably lying down. After the effects have subsided, we will spend the remaining time of the appointment processing and discussing your experience. While it may be challenging to articulate the experience, clients often report gaining clear insights from it. According to studies, the mood and neurological benefits of the ketamine experience can last up to two weeks. Paired with psychotherapy, these benefits can be life changing.
What is Journey Clinical?
Journey Clinical is a platform for independent 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.
What is the Consultation Process with Journey Clinical?
● You schedule an initial evaluation with a medical provider 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.
What Can I Expect During the KAP Dosing Session?
● A typical ketamine dosing session lasts 3 hours and takes place in the comfort of my office.
● During a dosing session, you will self-administer your ketamine lozenge in my office. You will be in a comfortable, and in a 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.
What Happens After the KAP Dosing Session?
● 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 (these session are covered by insurance)
● 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. Although the medical intake and medical follow ups are not covered by insurance, they are eligible for out-of-network reimbursement.
KAP Sessions:
Initial intake appt with Erin (60 min): Covered by Insurance. Copay, deductible or co-insurance applies
Dosing Session with Erin (3 hours): $450 (not covered by Insurance, may be eligible for out of network reimbursement)
Psychotherapy Follow up Appts with Erin (60 min): Covered by Insurance. Copay, deductible or co-insurance applies.
Journey Clinical Medical Costs
Medical Intake: $250 (One time fee, reimbursable through out-of-network)
Follow-up Sessions: $150/Session (minimum of 1/quarter, reimbursable through out-of-network)
Cost of Ketamine Lozenges: approximately $30 for your first two doses, and if you opt in for another 6 doses, those will cost around $75, plus shipping (not covered by insurance)
How Do I Sign Up?
For more information or to schedule an appointment, email newclient@quietmindtherapyservices.com. We would love to help you heal and expand your world.
