To receive a ketamine prescription, I work in collaboration with a group of qualified prescribers through an organization called Journey Clinical. Together, we ensure that each client undergoes a thorough medical consultation to assess the medical necessity and appropriateness of ketamine as a treatment option. If ketamine is deemed suitable, Journey Clinical’s prescribers will write the prescription, and the ketamine will be mailed directly to the client for use during pre-planned ketamine medicine sessions with a therapist. This process is in place to support clients during their ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) sessions, providing a holistic and safe treatment experience. If you are interested in getting started, I am happy to answer any questions you may have and coordinate the referral to Journey Clinical.

Is Ketamine Safe?

Ketamine has been used for decades in medical settings and has shown to be a safe and effective treatment when administered under the supervision of a trained professional. As a dissociative anesthetic, it is used in a variety of therapeutic settings, including Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), where its potential to facilitate deep emotional healing and insight is harnessed.

When prescribed and administered properly by experienced healthcare providers, ketamine is generally well-tolerated and has a low risk of abuse or dependency. In a therapeutic setting, it is carefully dosed and monitored, ensuring that the experience is both safe and supportive for each individual.

Before starting a course of ketamine treatment, a thorough medical evaluation is conducted to assess your overall health and determine if ketamine is an appropriate option. This is done in collaboration with a licensed prescriber to ensure that the treatment is tailored to your specific needs and that any potential risks are minimized.

While ketamine has shown great promise in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health challenges, it is essential that it be administered in a clinical setting where trained professionals can monitor your progress, guide you through the experience, and provide support. Your safety and well-being are the top priorities throughout the entire process.

If you have any concerns about the safety of ketamine, we encourage you to discuss them with your therapist or the prescribing provider so that you can make an informed decision about whether it's right for you.

During a ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) session, you can expect a structured and intentional process, with your therapist ensuring your safety and comfort throughout the experience. Here’s what you can typically expect from a session:

1. Pre-session planning: Prior to the session, you and your therapist will have conversations to discuss your goals, intentions, and the areas you'd like to explore or work on during the session. This helps set a clear framework for what you want to focus on and how to make the experience most beneficial for you. Your therapist may also help guide you in creating an intention or affirmation to hold throughout the session.

2. Creating the right environment: To enhance your experience, the environment is set to promote relaxation and comfort. Curated music will be played during your session to help guide your emotional and psychological journey. You may also be encouraged to use a blindfold if you feel comfortable, as this can deepen the internal experience, minimize distractions, and help you focus inward. The aim is to create a calm, safe, and supportive setting that enhances your experience.

3. Physical comfort: You'll be asked to lay down comfortably in a reclined position, ensuring you feel relaxed and supported throughout the session. Your therapist will have you check your blood pressure before the session to ensure that you’re physically stable and safe to proceed with the ketamine.

4. Taking the ketamine: Depending on the prescribed form, you may be given a ketamine tablet to swish in your mouth for about 12-15 minutes. This allows for absorption before you begin your experience. This method helps the medication take effect in a controlled and gradual way.

5. Onset of the experience: After taking the ketamine, you can expect the onset of the psychedelic experience to begin within about 15 minutes. You may start feeling a sense of dissociation, a deep relaxation, or a shift in perception. This phase can feel like a journey, where thoughts, emotions, and sensations may become heightened or altered.

6. Duration of the experience: The effects of ketamine typically last about an hour or more. During this time, you may experience vivid imagery, feelings of deep insight or introspection, or a sense of detachment from your usual sense of self. Your therapist will be present during the entire experience to provide support, ensure your safety, and help guide you through any challenging moments.

7. Therapist's role: Your therapist will be there to ensure your safety and emotional well-being throughout the session. They may take notes on any insights, thoughts, or emotions that arise as you process the experience. Your therapist will also gently guide you back to your intentions as needed, offering support if the experience becomes intense or if you want to refocus your energy during the session.

8. Post-session integration: After the psychedelic effects of ketamine begin to wear off, your therapist will spend some time discussing the experience with you. You will have the opportunity to reflect on what came up, explore any insights you gained, and begin the integration process—connecting the experience back to your everyday life, goals, and mental health journey.

Throughout the entire process, your therapist’s role is to ensure that you are in a safe space, emotionally supported, and able to get the most out of your experience. The goal is to help you work through emotional blocks, gain clarity, or process unresolved feelings while using the psychedelic effects of ketamine as a tool to facilitate deeper exploration and healing.

Side effects are generally minimal and may include mild dissociation, nausea, or dizziness during or after the session. These typically resolve quickly and are monitored closely to ensure your comfort and safety.

Yes, there are certain conditions in which ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) may be contraindicated or require extra caution. Some of the conditions that could make ketamine unsuitable or require careful consideration before proceeding include:

• Severe cardiovascular conditions: Ketamine can increase heart rate and blood pressure, so individuals with a history of heart disease, hypertension, stroke, or other significant cardiovascular issues may be at risk.

• Severe psychiatric disorders: People with certain psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (in a manic phase), or active psychosis, may experience exacerbation of symptoms, hallucinations, or dissociation under the influence of ketamine. It is essential to assess the client's history of psychiatric conditions carefully.

• Substance abuse: Individuals with a history of substance use disorders (particularly those with a history of abuse of dissociative anesthetics or stimulants) may have an increased risk of misuse or addiction to ketamine, though it is typically used in a controlled, clinical setting to minimize this risk.

• Uncontrolled epilepsy or seizures: Ketamine can lower the seizure threshold, so it may not be recommended for individuals with uncontrolled epilepsy or a history of seizures unless under strict medical supervision.

• Severe liver impairment: Ketamine is metabolized by the liver, and people with severe liver disease or hepatitis may have difficulty processing the drug.

• Pregnancy: While ketamine is not typically recommended during pregnancy due to limited data on its safety, it is considered a category C drug (meaning it could potentially harm the fetus in animal studies), so it is typically avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Pre-screening by a trained medical professional, such as a physician or psychiatrist, is crucial before starting ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. They will assess the client’s medical history, underlying health conditions, and suitability for ketamine use. In some cases, with appropriate medical supervision and adjustment, ketamine may still be used, but precautions and monitoring are required.

While there are no guarantees about the specific outcomes of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, many individuals find significant therapeutic benefits from the treatment. Ketamine has been shown to help with a variety of mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain, often providing rapid relief where traditional therapies may take longer.

In the context of therapy, ketamine has the potential to:

1. Enhance Emotional Healing: Many clients experience a sense of emotional release, deep introspection, and access to previously suppressed emotions. This can help individuals process past trauma, uncover hidden patterns, and gain new perspectives on their lives.

2. Promote Neuroplasticity: Ketamine has the ability to stimulate neuroplasticity, which is the brain's capacity to form new neural connections. This can help break entrenched thought patterns and beliefs, offering the possibility of lasting change in how you think, feel, and behave.

3. Reduce Anxiety and Depression Symptoms: Ketamine has been shown to have rapid antidepressant effects, with some clients experiencing a shift in mood and mindset shortly after treatment. It can help alleviate feelings of hopelessness and sadness, and reduce the intensity of anxiety.

4. Increase Insight and Creativity: Many clients report having profound insights or clarity during their ketamine sessions. This altered state of consciousness may allow individuals to view their life circumstances from a new perspective, helping to facilitate breakthroughs that are difficult to achieve in traditional therapy alone.

5. Improve Mindfulness and Present-Moment Awareness: The ketamine experience may help individuals become more attuned to the present moment, fostering mindfulness and greater self-awareness. This can support deeper therapeutic work and emotional growth.

It's important to remember that everyone's experience with ketamine is unique. For some, the benefits may be immediate, while for others, it may take time to fully integrate the experience. As with any therapeutic process, the outcomes depend on a variety of factors, including your individual needs, goals, and willingness to engage in the healing process.

While ketamine can be a powerful tool for personal growth and emotional healing, it's essential to approach the treatment with an open mind, recognizing that the process is ongoing and that the full benefits may unfold over time.

Preparation and integration sessions are billable to insurance, and I am in-network with several providers. For these sessions, your out-of-pocket cost will be limited to your co-pay. Together, we will determine the appropriate number of preparation and integration sessions based on your needs.

Before scheduling Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) sessions, you will need to complete a medical assessment to assess medical necessity. If the prescriber determines you are a suitable candidate for ketamine treatment, they will provide you with a prescription, and the ketamine will be sent directly to you. The medical consultation with a licensed prescriber from Journey Clinical is $250 for the initial one-hour session, with required quarterly follow-up consultations priced at $150. The cost of the ketamine medication is $88 for enough to cover two sessions. If those sessions are successful and you wish to continue, Journey Clinical may provide up to six additional doses for $148. Please note, these prices are subject to change, and I encourage you to verify current rates with Journey Clinical. I am available to assist in coordinating this referral.

Each KAP session is scheduled for approximately two hours. The therapeutic preparation and integration portions of the session (about one hour) may be billed to insurance as psychotherapy, depending on coverage. The medicine portion of the session (around one hour) is not covered by insurance and is billed as an out-of-pocket expense of $200.

I completed a Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Certificate Training in May 2024, that was lead by four women who co-own, direct and work in a KAP clinic based in Tucson, Arizona.

I completed a 6-hour KAP Theory and Methodology training organized by Journal Clinical and provided by Fluence. Fluence is a well-respected organization that provides training for all kinds of psychedelic treatment. I complete ongoing specialized KAP training that is available to me in an educational database with Journey Clinical and participate in ongoing consultations with other KAP providers.

I have experienced KAP myself personally, conducted by a licensed therapist.