Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy combines the therapeutic benefits of ketamine, a legal FDA-approved medicine, with guided psychotherapy. In partnership with Journey Clinical, my clients are provided safe, medically monitored treatment integrated with compassionate therapeutic support. This unique model is what creates the positive outcomes for so many: harnessing the synergy of the medicine experience and one's therapy processing. KAP as a treatment is more than symptom relief. It can be thought of as a mind-body-spirit intervention that sets the stage for new patterns to emerge, such as having more self-compassion, renewed connection to the self, and a more forward-thinking attitude about choices.

1.  Initial KAP Consultation - We will meet virtually or in-person to explore your goals, history, and readiness. 2.  Medical Evaluation - A licensed medical provider with Journey Clinical will conduct a thorough evaluation via Zoom. You'll have the chance to review your medical and psychiatric history, receive education on the treatment, and determine if you are eligible for KAP. If you are eligible for KAP, they will develop a personalized Ketamine prescription and outcome monitoring plan for you. 3.  Prescription - Journey Clinical’s medical team will write a ketamine prescription for you, and a small amount of oral ketamine (in the form of lozenges) 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. 4.  Preparation Sessions - Once you receive your ketamine lozenges, we will schedule your preparation session. Preparation session(s) will be scheduled just like regular therapy sessions prior to the KAP dosing session. The goal is to feel comfortable with the process and to set intentions for your KAP sessions. 5.  Treatment Sessions - A typical ketamine dosing session lasts between 1-2 hours and can take place either in-person at my office or remotely via telehealth. During a dosing session, you will self-administer your ketamine lozenge either in my office or in your home with a support person available.  You will be in a comfortable, reclining position wearing an eye mask and headphones with calming music. Although a KAP dosing session may be focused on an inward experience, I will be present with you the entire time to provide support as needed. 6.  Integration Therapy - Follow-up sessions with me to process the insights, memories, and/or reflections that arose during your dosing session. We will also prepare for the next dosing session. 7.  Subsequent Treatment -  Plan for another 5-7 more ketamine sessions. 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.

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy's essential objective is to work directly with the brain’s capacity for change. Unlike SSRIs or anti-anxiety medications, which act as temporary symptom relievers or medications intended to subdue the brain's activity, ketamine acts on the glutamate system, enhancing neuroplasticity (our brain’s ability to form new pathways and become more flexible). This disruption of the usual neural pathways helps loosen patterns of negative thinking, rumination, or emotional pain that often feel “stuck.” Using psychotherapy, we take note of what you feel, what you notice, and where you want to go from there.

Much of the research points to KAP as a successful treatment for depression, anxiety, and PTSD - particularly when other treatments haven’t been as effective. However, KAP has been helpful to a variety of emotional health issues and personal transitions. A clinical evaluation helps determine if this approach is a good fit for your needs. ​​ ​ You might be a good fit for KAP if you: ​ Have sought treatment for depression, anxiety, or trauma with insufficient relief Struggle with patterns that feel rigid or "stuck" ​ Seek a safe, structured environment with ongoing professional support Wish to explore healing that integrates mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual dimensions ​*KAP is not always a good fit for everyone. Individuals with certain medical conditions, active substance misuse, or uncontrolled medical issues may not be eligible. A thorough medical evaluation will determine appropriateness.

The effects of ketamine, which many clients find pleasant, include a non-ordinary state of consciousness that lasts for approximately 45 minutes. These effects can make you feel “far from” your body and facilitate shifts in perception, emotions, and the sense of time, contributing to the therapeutic process by promoting insights. Your motor and verbal abilities will be subdued, so you’ll be lying down in a comfortable position during the experience. Once these effects subside, we’ll spend the remainder of our appointment giving you time to process and reflect on your experience. You may decide to increase the dosage for your subsequent sessions, which will induce a deeper, more expansive inward state.​​

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy can be experienced at different dose ranges, and each has its own purpose and feel. Low-dose (psycholytic) sessions are designed to keep clients more present and interactive during therapy. At this level, ketamine can quiet mental chatter, soften defenses, and enhance openness—allowing deeper emotional exploration while still being able to talk, reflect, and engage with the therapist in real time. Moderate-dose (psychedelic) sessions tend to produce a more immersive, inward journey. Clients may feel less connected to the immediate environment and more absorbed in symbolic, imaginative, or transpersonal experiences. These sessions often bring powerful insights, new perspectives, or a sense of expanded awareness that can be integrated afterward in therapy.