What is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

KAP is a holistic modality in which ketamine is used as a complement to psychotherapy to help clients experience more frequent breakthroughs and long-lasting improvement in symptoms. Clinical evidence supports the effectiveness of KAP for a wide variety of mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. KAP can be done in individual, couples, or group sessions and is a beautiful addition to other healing work.

Is Ketamine safe and how does it help?

Ketamine is a legal, safe, and effective medicine. It is a rapidly-acting antidepressant and has mood-enhancing effects, which can begin to take effect within 1-2 hours after treatment and last for up to 2 weeks. With repeated medicine sessions using specific treatment protocols, these effects can last much longer. Ketamine has also been shown to enhance overall neuroplasticity which can produce lasting mood and symptom improvement and can be harnessed to bring about meaningful change and growth. But the real benefit comes from the combination of ketamine and therapy. It is during the integration sessions that the long-lasting changes are realized and implemented.

Steps of KAP

Step 1: Determining eligibility

Once Alisha determines you are a good potential candidate for this type of therapy, she will connect you with the collaborating medical provider for a telehealth appointment which will determine if you are eligible for KAP. During this appointment, the provider will go over your medical and mental health history and provide education on the treatment. Once the medical provider determines if you are eligible for KAP, a prescription for the first two KAP sessions will be sent. 

Step 2: Preparation sessions with Alisha

The goal of a preparation session is to learn more about the process, discuss therapeutic goals, explore questions or concerns, and set intentions for the KAP work. Preparation sessions are scheduled prior to the KAP medicine sessions and are the length of a typical therapy session. The number of preparation sessions is determined by Alisha based on your unique needs and treatment plan. Typically 1-3 preparation sessions are needed.

Step 3: Dosing/medicine Session with Alisha

A typical ketamine dosing session lasts between 2-3 hours and can take place either in-person (in the therapy office or in your home) or remotely via telehealth. Together, you and Alisha will determine which setting is ideal. During the medicine session, you will be in a comfortable, reclining position wearing an eye mask and listening to calming music (if desired). During the session, ketamine is delivered through an oral lozenge. The effects of ketamine, which most clients find pleasant, last for approximately 45-90 minutes depending on the treatment protocol, but this can vary from person to person. Although a KAP dosing session may be largely an internal experience, Alisha is present the entire time to hold space and provide support as needed. Once these effects subside, you and Alisha will spend the remainder of the appointment giving you time to process and discuss your experience.

Step 4: Integration sessions with Alisha

After every KAP dosing session, you will meet with Alisha for at least one integration therapy session to explore and work with what arose during the dosing session and to prepare for the next dosing session. These sessions are also used to harness this amazing period of brain neuroplasticity to create and reinforce meaningful changes.

Step 5: Follow up with the medical provider 

After our first two KAP sessions, if you wish to continue with KAP, you will schedule a follow up with the medical provider to monitor the effects and to prescribe ketamine lozenge refills, as appropriate. The frequency of additional follow ups with the medical provider depends on your unique treatment plan, but one follow up following every 6 dosing sessions is typical.

Is KAP covered by insurance?

Although the medical intake and follow-ups are not directly submitted to insurance, they are eligible for out-of-network reimbursement. And while Alisha does not partner with insurance providers, she can provide superbills for the preparation and integration sessions, and for one hour of the dosing session for possible reimbursement using any out-of-network benefits you may have.

Want to Learn More about KAP?

Yale Medicine- Ketamine & Depression: How it Works – Yale Medicine Explains

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW21-AYY_fs

That Relationship Show Podcast- Ketamine-Assisted Therapy and Couple Therapy

https://open.spotify.com/episode/421tMqahlrRk8P6eJARd1e

Huberman Lab Podcast- Ketamine: Benefits and Risks for Depression, PTSD & Neuroplasticity 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxmv7rT9leo

A Novel Framework for Ketamine Assisted Couple Therapy

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1376646/full

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Patient Stories

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XSa4ZHCh98