Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
"A ketamine journey provides a respite from the stress and distractions of our daily lives. Within that pause, we discover the infinite creativity deep within." - Amanda Yoder
Perhaps my favorite aspect of working with ketamine is the therapeutic benefit I have observed time and again as individuals who had felt "stuck" begin to soften and open up to a greater understanding and expression of their own experience.
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I work with psychotherapists who have specific, advanced training in ketamine-assisted and other psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies to provide a curated and individualized approach to this work. We view this treatment as a journey, an initial experience with ketamine that works as a change agent and becomes integrated at deeper levels over time.
While we consider the unique needs of each individual during treatment planning, our experience has shown us that it is most useful to commit to a minimum of three sessions to approach an optimal dose and to begin to develop a cadence, or flow, within the process. We have observed the most consistent and optimal results with an induction phase of six once-weekly sessions before considering a maintenance regimen or a return to one's pre-existing psychotherapeutic approaches.
1 / Psychiatric Assessment and Clearance
60 minutes. You and I will meet in person only (no telehealth). This appointment will cover your past psychiatric, medical, family, and social histories, standardized symptom assessments, evaluation of vital signs and a focused physical exam as needed. I will take a close look at your current medication regimen and any health conditions to ensure medical appropriateness for ketamine use, and make recommendations, if needed, to prepare you for the journey. I will also coordinate with any medical providers (Psychiatrists, Primary Care) as needed, with your written permission. During this appointment we will discuss how the risk/benefit profile of KAP applies to you as a unique individual.
2 / Psychotherapeutic Intake
50+ minutes. You will meet with your ketamine-assisted psychotherapist so that she can begin to understand your story, your goals for KAP, and your current psychotherapeutic support. The two of you will work to build sufficient mutual understanding and trust to create a safe space for the work.
3 / Ketamine Preparatory Session
Many patients meet with the nurse practitioner to complete education on ketamine as a medicine, how to best support your treatment, what to expect, and to review personalized instructions for your journey. We make supplement recommendations to support the process and set you up for automated symptom screening to track your progress within the work.
4 / In-Office KAP Sessions
3 hours. Arrival, settling into the space, intention-setting, medical assessment and sign-off, ketamine dose, journey, post-journey integrative psychotherapy, and medical clearance. You will not be permitted to drive yourself home after the journey.
5 / Post-Journey Integration Sessions
45 minutes. These sessions are often essential to finding lasting benefit within the work, and are scheduled as needed on an individual basis. We can also coordinate with your regular therapist to ensure your work is primed to continue its evolution even after your session) with us are complete.
