ketamine-assisted therapy

Ketamine-assisted therapy is a unique therapeutic method used to address a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, post-traumatic stress, chronic pain, addiction, and some forms of anxiety. It involves the use of the psychoactive substance ketamine to enhance and deepen the therapeutic process, and the use of psychotherapy and other integrative forms of treatment to amplify and prolong the curative effects of ketamine. 

We will start with a telehealth screening in which we will discuss your symptoms and determine whether ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT) might be of benefit to you. If so, you will meet with a prescriber for an initial consultation and psychiatric assessment. If you qualify for ketamine treatment after the intake, you will be scheduled for preparatory sessions in which we will meet, build a rapport, and prepare for your KAT session. There will be a minimum of three preparatory sessions before your first KAT session. In many cases, more than three preparatory sessions are indicated.

The ketamine session itself lasts approximately 3 hours. I will be with you throughout the entirety of the ketamine session. While there are many possible routes of administration, I primarily work with sublingual lozenges. The effects begin to appear after about 15- 20 minutes, peak for about 40 minutes, and dissipate over the following 1-2 hours. On occasion we also offer intramuscular (IM) injections of ketamine. In this instance the ketamine is given as a shot into the deltoid. Onset of ketamine is within 5 minutes and lasts about 60 minutes. Positive impacts on mood have been shown to last over the following days and sometimes weeks in all modes of administration.

After your first KAT session, you will have at least 2 integration sessions in which I will help you integrate your experience during the ketamine session, discuss how you responded to the medicine, and determine an individualized course of treatment moving forward. Generally, multiple ketamine sessions are required in order to experience lasting effects. It is recommended that you make a commitment to at least 3 ketamine sessions, as this medicine tends to have a cumulative effect and is most beneficial after multiple treatments. Additionally, there is the potential for closely-supervised at-home lozenge sessions, once you have become familiar with the medicine and its effects, to help make the treatment more affordable.

During the course of treatment, medication follow up appointments with the prescriber are required at minimum every three months, or at the time an additional refill of ketamine is needed. Please contact me directly for more detailed information and to answer any questions you might have. 

Ketamine is used off-label for a variety of mental health struggles including depression, chronic pain, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, suicidal ideation and addiction.

Some medical and psychiatric conditions need to be treated before you can safely work with ketamine. These include hallucinations, untreated mania, borderline personality disorder, cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, increased intracranial pressure, cystitis, glaucoma, pregnancy, active substance abuse or evidence of liver disease.

A psychiatric intake will help you determine if you are an appropriate candidate for this work. 

While Ketamine Assisted Therapy is highly individualized and based on your unique circumstances and needs, the start of ketamine treatment typically includes:

• 1 Psychiatric Intake (required)
• At least 3 Preparatory Sessions
• 3 Ketamine Assisted Therapy Sessions
• 6 Integration Sessions (2 after each Ketamine session)

We will discuss the best course of treatment for you, but it is recommended that you make a commitment to at least 3-6 ketamine sessions, as this medicine tends to have a cumulative effect and is most beneficial after multiple treatments. I highly recommend integrative health treatment (bodywork, acupuncture, herbs or nutrition) alongside your ketamine program. 

Free consultation

Preparation and Integration - $150/hr

Medicine session (Appx. 3 hours) - $500

*Payment plans are available upon inquiry.