Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

(KAP) In person only

Ketamine is an FDA-approved anesthetic widely used during various medical procedures all around the world due to its safety: unlike many other drugs, it does not cause pulmonary suppression, and so it doesn’t run a risk of coma or death.

At lower doses than those typically used for medical procedures, ketamine causes altered states of consciousness in which people feel a “high” that often includes being less burdened by anxiety and depression physiology, making it ideal to explore upsetting memories or life situations without the sadness, anxiety or panic that is often accompanying such challenges.

In addition, ketamine also increases the rate of neuroplasticity, the condition in which neural structures and networks change in key brain regions. If the psychological work done both during and immediately after a KAP session yields important insights, we can design thought and behavior experiments that can take advantage of plasticity and increase the durability of the progress.

KAP is offered in-person only at my office in Studio City, and consists of the following process:

A brief phone call to determine eligibility, which will include your primary therapist if you have one.

An intake assessment with a Journey Clinical psychiatrist, followed by a prescription.

Ketamine lozenges are shipped directly to your home or office.

Preparatory sessions: We will assess your circumstances and explore goal-setting for the KAP series over 2-4 sessions, depending on your needs and our mutual comfort level.

You may need up to 6 KAP sessions, over a time period of up to six weeks. Each KAP session is video recorded for your safety and for your medical records, and is allotted 3 hours: 30 minutes to set up and settle in. You will self-administer the oral ketamine lozenges, allowing 1 ½ hours for the journey work. The final 30 minutes are allotted to process your experience as you return to baseline. A chaperone must take you home.

Integration session: Within 48 hours, we explore your memory of what happened during your KAP session, identify insights and areas of further exploration, and determine “homework” to develop and reinforce both cognitive and behavioral windows of change offered by the enhanced neuroplasticity.

Though KAP is not for everyone, it is being studied heavily as a breakthrough treatment for Treatment-Resistant Depression, Anxiety Disorders, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. When combined with psychotherapy, KAP promises to be a new standard-of-care for these mental health challenges.

Conditions that are contraindicated for KAP and disqualify a patient:

• Unmanaged hypertension

• Any unstable medical condition

• Co-occurring substance use disorders

• Active psychosis

Learn more about Ketamine prescription and treatments at Journey Clinical.