We will start with an intake session and treatment planning session in which we complete a biopsychosocial assessment, determine whether ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) might be of benefit to you, and develop a plan based on your therapeutic goals. You will then meet with a prescriber for a psychiatric intake (provider options discussed during intake), where they will determine if you are medically-cleared for using this medicine. After the psychiatric intake, you will meet with me for at least a few preparatory sessions, during which time you will be continuing to collaboratively assess if KAP is the right fit for you, while also building the relational safety necessary to do this work. There will be a minimum of three preparatory sessions (following the assessment and treatment plan sessions) before your first KAP session (8 prep sessions if you don’t have a current therapist), and it’s common to extend preparation time out for longer to ensure everything is thoroughly covered.

The ketamine session (also referred to as medicine session or dosing session) typically lasts 3 hours. These sessions can be done either in-person or virtually; the plan for the dosing session will be part of the preparation sessions. I will be with you throughout the ketamine session. While there are many possible routes of administration, I primarily work with sublingual lozenges that you will self-administer during the session. The effects begin to appear after about 15-20 minutes, peak for about 40 minutes, and dissipate over the following 1-2 hours. It’s important to keep in mind that ketamine can sometimes encourage a positive shift in mood, while other times bring subconscious material to the surface to be processed. While ketamine is used as an off-label anti-depressant, sometimes more challenging emotions and experiences will surface, which you will work with me, your KAP therapist, to integrate.

Between 24 and 48 hours after your first KAP session, you will have the first of at least 2 integration sessions in which we 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. It is recommend a person commitment to at least 3 ketamine sessions, as this medicine tends to have a cumulative effect and is most beneficial after multiple treatments.

Please contact me directly for more detailed information and to answer any questions you might have.