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Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

​Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a therapeutic modality in which ketamine is used as a complement to psychotherapy to help patients experience more frequent breakthroughs and sustained improvement in symptoms. I partner with Journey Clinical’s medical team supports you on all medical aspects. This includes determining eligibility, developing a custom treatment plan, prescribing the medicine and monitoring outcomes. 

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Ketamine works by stimulating the release of key neurotransmitters like glutamate, promoting synaptic growth and rewiring neural pathways that may have been stuck due to trauma, depression, or anxiety. This heightened state of neural flexibility opens critical windows for learning, allowing patients to process emotional wounds and cognitive patterns more effectively. When paired with psychotherapy, ketamine can accelerate therapeutic progress, helping individuals break free from long-standing mental health challenges and facilitating lasting transformation.

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a legal, safe, and effective medicine used to treat various mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Ketamine has rapidly-acting antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects, which can take effect within 1-2 hours after treatment. It blocks the brain’s NMDA receptors and stimulating AMPA receptors, which are thought to help form new connections in the brain and boosts circuits that regulate stress and mood. Ketamine has also been shown to enhance overall neuroplasticity (the ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth and reorganization) and anti-inflammatory processes for lasting symptom improvement.

Ketamine can be administered in various ways.  Journey Clinical prescribes sublingual rapidly dissolving tablet (RDT) form. The tablet is held under the tongue and dissolves almost immediately. 

How does Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy work?

1. Initial Consultation with Journey Clinical
Your KAP journey begins with a virtual evaluation through Journey Clinical’s medical team. They’ll review your medical and psychiatric history and determine if it’s a safe and appropriate treatment for you. If approved, they’ll create a personalized prescription and treatment plan. A small supply of oral ketamine lozenges will be mailed to your home for your first two dosing sessions, along with clear instructions for self-administration and taking your vitals.

2. Preparation Sessions
We’ll meet for one or more preparation sessions to set intentions, discuss the process, and establish the internal and external conditions for a safe and meaningful experience. 

3. Dosing Session
A dosing session typically lasts 2–3 hours and can take place either in my office or remotely from your home. You’ll self-administer your ketamine lozenge, with an eye mask and music to support your inner experience. While much of the session is internal, I remain present throughout and ensure your physical and emotional safety.

4. Integration Sessions
After each dosing session, we meet for integration therapy. These sessions help you process and make sense of the material that surfaced—connecting insights, sensations, and imagery to your everyday life. Integration is where the deeper transformation unfolds.

5. Ongoing Support
Journey Clinical continues to monitor your medical progress and refill prescriptions as needed, typically meeting with you every few months. Together, we stay in dialogue about your evolving experience and adjust your treatment plan to best support your growth.

What are the Benefits of Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy?

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  • Relief from Symptoms: One of the biggest advantages of ketamine therapy is its ability to provide fast relief from symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Unlike traditional antidepressants that can take weeks to start working, ketamine often delivers noticeable results within hours or days.

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  • Deeper Emotional Processing: Ketamine helps create an altered state of consciousness, which can allow people to tap into deep emotions and experiences that might be difficult to access through regular talk therapy. This can lead to significant breakthroughs, helping individuals confront and heal from unresolved trauma.

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  • Promoting Neuroplasticity: Ketamine has been shown to encourage neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to form new neural pathways. For those dealing with depression or anxiety, this means that ketamine may help “retrain” the brain, making it more adaptable and better able to cope with stress and emotional challenges.

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  • Increased Engagement in Therapy: Many people find that ketamine-assisted therapy helps them engage more fully with their therapist and the therapeutic process itself. The effects of ketamine can create a sense of distance from usual thought patterns, offering clearer insights and helping individuals look at their challenges from a new perspective.

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  • Long-Term Emotional Growth: When combined with psychotherapy, ketamine has the potential to create lasting positive changes by shifting thought patterns and emotional responses in a sustainable way. This can lead to long-term improvements in mental health.

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  • Fewer Side Effects: Compared to traditional medications, ketamine tends to have fewer and less severe side effects. For many patients, it provides a safer and more effective option, especially when other treatments haven’t worked.

 

*Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy isn’t appropriate for everyone. All clients must complete a medical evaluation with a licensed psychiatrist or nurse practitioner to ensure ketamine is a safe and appropriate option.*

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