Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (kap)
What is Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is a type of psychotherapy that uses ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, as an adjunct to therapy. The drug is administered under the guidance of a licensed therapist, who helps the patient explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in a safe and supportive environment.
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is often used to treat depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health conditions. The therapy is typically administered over several sessions, with the patient reclining in a comfortable position while the therapist guides them through their thoughts and emotions.
Ketamine is believed to work by temporarily blocking certain brain receptors, which can produce a sense of detachment from reality. This can allow patients to more easily explore their inner experiences and gain insights into their behaviors and emotions.
What are the benefits of KAP?
The benefits of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may include:
Rapid relief of symptoms: Unlike traditional psychotherapy, which can take weeks or even months to produce noticeable improvements, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may provide relief from symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions within hours or days.
Increased self-awareness: Ketamine can produce a state of dissociation, which can help patients gain insights into their emotions, behaviors, and patterns of thought.
Enhanced therapeutic alliance: The close guidance and support of a trained therapist during the therapy sessions can help patients feel heard, validated, and supported, which can strengthen the therapeutic alliance and improve treatment outcomes.
Long-lasting effects: Studies suggest that the effects of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may last for several weeks or even months after the therapy sessions have ended.
HOW DOES THE KAP PROCESS WORK WITH GRACE?
6. Once you take the medicine, you will lie down on a comfortable mat with headphones and an eyemask. Journeys usually take between 45-75 minutes. Grace will be present the entire time to make sure that you are comfortable during your journey and to help guide you out of the experience. Immediately after the experience you and Grace will explore what themes came up and begin to integrate your experience
7. KAP sessions generally last 2-3 hours, depending on the journey length and the therapy session afterwards. Once complete, you will need to have a ride home from the office and agree to refrain from driving for the rest of the day. Hourly Rate ($210/hour) applies
8. Depending on how many KAP Sessions we schedule, you will also see Grace for integration sessions (regular talk therapy) in between KAP experiences
Reach out for a consultation call and schedule an intake appointment
during our first appointment, we will go over your history, reasons for exploring KAP, goals for treatment, and education on the KAP process
Grace will refer you to one of several prescribers for a medication consult. Please note this is an additional fee, paid to the prescriber
Once your medical consult is done, Grace will schedule another 1-2 preparation sessions if appropriate to make sure that you are ready for KAP
On the KAP day, dress comfortably and plan to be at the office for several hours. You will either bring in the medicine that has been mailed to you, or a provider will be available to administer if you are doing an injection
What happens during a KAP session?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is typically administered in a controlled setting, such as a clinic, under the guidance of a licensed healthcare professional. The therapy usually involves several sessions, each lasting between two to three hours.
During the therapy session, the patient is given a low dose of ketamine through an oral lozenge or intramuscular (IM) injection. The dose is carefully monitored and adjusted to ensure that the patient achieves the desired therapeutic effects while minimizing the risk of negative side effects.
After the ketamine is administered, the patient is encouraged to recline in a comfortable position and relax. After the effects of the medicine start to wear off, the therapist guides the patient through their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. The therapist may use a variety of techniques, such as mindfulness exercises, talk therapy, and guided imagery, to help the patient explore their inner experiences and gain insights into their behaviors and emotions.
The therapist closely monitors the patient throughout the session, checking in on their physical and emotional state and adjusting the therapy as needed. After the session is over, the patient is usually observed for a short period of time to ensure that they are feeling well enough to leave the clinic.
It is important to note that ketamine-assisted psychotherapy should only be administered by a licensed healthcare professional who has received specialized training in the use of ketamine for psychotherapy. Patients should also be screened carefully to ensure that they are good candidates for the therapy and do not have any medical conditions that could make ketamine unsafe for them.
What conditions can ketamine assisted psychotherapy be used to treat?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy has shown promising results in the treatment of various mental health conditions, including:
Treatment-resistant depression
Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Chronic pain conditions
Substance use disorders, including alcohol and opioid addiction
Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia
Bipolar disorder
Personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder
It is important to note that while ketamine-assisted psychotherapy has shown promising results in the treatment of these conditions, it is not a one-size-fits-all treatment and may not be effective for everyone. It is crucial to work with a qualified and experienced ketamine-assisted psychotherapist to determine if this treatment is appropriate for an individual's specific needs and circumstances.
HOW MANY SESSIONS ARE REQUIRED?
The number of sessions of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy required can vary depending on the individual's needs and response to treatment. Typically, a course of treatment can consist of six to eight sessions, with each session lasting between 90 and 120 minutes. However, some people may require more or fewer sessions depending on their specific circumstances.
The frequency of sessions can also vary. Initially, sessions may be more frequent, such as once a week, and then gradually spaced out as the person progresses in treatment.