Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)
LuxeMind is committed to providing cutting-edge, evidence-based therapies that support lasting change. If you’ve found conventional treatments for depression, anxiety, or PTSD to be ineffective, you may qualify for Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP).
LuxeMind is a private-pay practice. This means that we do not accept insurance. Click here to view our rates.
What is Ketamine-Assisted Pscyhotherapy?
KAP is an intentional, guided treatment process that utilizes low doses of ketamine in combination with talk therapy. Ketamine is known as a dissociative anesthetic, causing feelings of disconnection from thoughts, surroundings, and the body. These effects can facilitate a deeper psychotherapeutic exploration of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors between the patient and therapist. KAP is always conducted in a supportive, professionally supervised environment, with multiple preparatory and debriefing sessions occurring before and after dosing.
Ketamine is a powerful antidepressant and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) medication, often producing significant improvements in patients’ mood and functioning after just a few dosing sessions. This rapid relief of symptoms may lead to a renewed sense of hope, especially in patients with treatment-resistant mental health conditions. With the guidance of a trained therapist, the insights that patients gain during dosing sessions can lead to meaningful change, making KAP particularly viable when traditional talk therapy proves ineffective.
How Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Works
In addition to rapid effects on mood, ketamine also affects neurotransmitters in the brain associated with learning, memory, and forming new synaptic connections. This may lead to an increased flexibility in the way one thinks and feels, or a temporary but radical shift in perspective. Patients may be able to explore difficult emotions, past experiences, and thought patterns from a new angle. The true power of KAP comes from the combination of this altered state with therapy. The therapist guides the patient through the experience with intentions they have set together. The integration sessions following the dosing focus on processing and reflecting on the experience, as well as how the patient can apply any insights to their continuing mental health journey.
What to Expect During Treatment
Before starting KAP, patients schedule an initial consultation to assess their mental health history, current symptoms, and treatment goals. They will be referred to Journey Clinical for a medical evaluation by a doctor (this may be covered by insurance). This ensures that KAP is a suitable option and allows our provider to create a treatment plan best suited to your needs.
The course of KAP treatment includes the following components, in order:
1. Preparatory sessions – 2-3 sessions. The patient will work with our provider to set intentions and goals for ketamine treatment.
2. Dosing sessions – A series of 6-8 dosing sessions spaced across several weeks.
3. Integration session – Scheduled within 72 hours of each dosing session. These sessions are crucial for processing and reflecting after each dosing session.
Patients may choose to attend dosing sessions in individual or group formats.
Is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Right For You?
While KAP offers many potential benefits, patients should be aware of its risks. Side effects from ketamine,– such as dissociation, nausea, and dizziness– are usually short lived, but must be monitored for severity. KAP is a relatively new treatment, and data on its long term efficacy is limited. Ketamine additionally carries a risk for misuse or dependence, and dosing must be administered according to the treatment plan.
Before beginning KAP, discuss your options with a qualified healthcare provider. They can provide personalized guidance, address concerns, and help you determine whether KAP may be the right path forward on your journey to recovery.
Take the next step towards a healthier future– today.
We’re here to support you, no matter where you are in your mental health journey. Contact us today to request a consultation, and take the next step on your path to wellness. Your mental health matters, and we’re here to help.