Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) 101
I offer a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in
partnership with Asanapy Functional Psychiatry.
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 Asanapy'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.
I offer Individual sessions, couples' sessions, and small group sessions.
I offer a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in
partnership with Asanapy Functional Psychiatry.
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 Asanapy'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.
I offer Individual sessions, couples' sessions, and small group sessions.
What is Ketamine?
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.
work, we only use the sublingual lozenge form.
How Does Ketamine Feel?
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.
How Does Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Work
1. Initial consultation with Asanapy
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.
3. KAP Dosing Session
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.
4. Integration Sessions
your dosing session, and to prepare for the next dosing session.
What is the Cost of Treatment?
Please contact me for rates for Group sessions (up to four people).
How Do I Sign Up?
If you would like to explore the possibility of working with me on KAP, please
e-mail me at [email protected] to discuss eligibility and next steps.
Helpful Resources:
1. Paradigms of Ketamine Treatment by Raquel Bennett, Psy.D. for MAPS
https://maps.org/news/bulletin/paradigms-of-ketamine-treatment-spring-2019/
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
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02791072.2019.1587556
3. Ketamine for Depression and Mood Disorders by Erica Zelfand, ND for
Townsend Letter
https://www.townsendletter.com/article/438-ketamine-for-depression-and-mood-disorders/
4. Ketamine-Facilitated Psychotherapy for Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression by
goop
https://goop.com/wellness/health/ketamine-facilitated-psychotherapy/
5. Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy with Jonathan Sabbagh of Journey Clinical- Psychology Talk Podcast
https://www.spreaker.com/user/11347814/ketamine-assited-psychotherapy-with-jona
- Ketamine is a legal, safe and effective medicine used to treat a variety of mental
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.
- Ketamine can be administered in a variety of ways, including IV infusion,
work, we only use the sublingual lozenge form.
How Does Ketamine Feel?
- The effects of ketamine, which most patients find pleasant, last for approximately
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.
How Does Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Work
1. Initial consultation with Asanapy
- You schedule an initial evaluation with a clinician from Asanapy. They will go over your medical and psychiatric history with you, provide education on the treatment and determine if you
- If they determine that you are eligible for KAP, they will develop a personalized Ketamine prescription and plan with you.
- Once you receive your ketamine lozenges, we will schedule time together
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.
3. KAP Dosing Session
- A typical ketamine dosing session lasts between 2-3 hours and can take
- During a dosing session, you will self-administer your ketamine lozenge
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.
4. Integration Sessions
- After our KAP dosing session, we will meet for multiple integration therapy
your dosing session, and to prepare for the next dosing session.
What is the Cost of Treatment?
- Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy- My typical hourly rate is $150/hr for individual and $175/hr for couples' sessions. Preparation, dosing, and integration sessions will be billed at this rate.
- For Asanapy's rates and insurance information, please visit: Ketamine Assisted Therapy — Asanapy Functional Psychiatry
Please contact me for rates for Group sessions (up to four people).
How Do I Sign Up?
If you would like to explore the possibility of working with me on KAP, please
e-mail me at [email protected] to discuss eligibility and next steps.
Helpful Resources:
1. Paradigms of Ketamine Treatment by Raquel Bennett, Psy.D. for MAPS
https://maps.org/news/bulletin/paradigms-of-ketamine-treatment-spring-2019/
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
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02791072.2019.1587556
3. Ketamine for Depression and Mood Disorders by Erica Zelfand, ND for
Townsend Letter
https://www.townsendletter.com/article/438-ketamine-for-depression-and-mood-disorders/
4. Ketamine-Facilitated Psychotherapy for Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression by
goop
https://goop.com/wellness/health/ketamine-facilitated-psychotherapy/
5. Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy with Jonathan Sabbagh of Journey Clinical- Psychology Talk Podcast
https://www.spreaker.com/user/11347814/ketamine-assited-psychotherapy-with-jona
