Psychedelic Assisted Therapy

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a holistic modality in which ketamine is used as a complement to psychotherapy to help you experience breakthroughs and sustained improvement in your life.

It involves careful preparation and integration in addition to dosing sessions. KAP differs from some models in that it emphasizes psychotherapeutic support before, during and after the dosing sessions. This can allow you to realize the maximum benefit of these experiences.

Ketamine has rapidly acting antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects, which can begin to take effect within 1-2 hrs. after treatment. It works by blocking the brain’s NMDA receptors as well as by stimulating AMPA receptors, which are thought to help form new synaptic connections and boost neural circuits that regulate stress and mood.

Ketamine has been shown to enhance overall neuroplasticity for lasting symptom improvement. Ketamine can be administered in a variety of ways, including IV infusion, intramuscular injection, via nasal spray and using sublingual lozenges. In my work with Journey Clinical we only use the sublingual lozenge form.

Ketamine is a legal, safe and effective medicine used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety and PTSD. Ketamine is an FDA approved “dissociative anesthetic” agent originally developed in 1962. It has a remarkable safety record.

Used as prescribed, in the context of a supported KAP protocol, there is no evidence of a risk for addiction.

People with a history of ketamine abuse would likely not be eligible for KAP. However, if you have any concerns about your personal risk levels regarding addiction to ketamine, we can discuss that thoroughly before deciding whether to proceed with KAP.

KAP begins with an in-depth intake and preparation phase phase, during which we discuss your personal and clinical history, as well as your goals for treatment. During this time we will prepare for the session, review the details, precautions, and intentions. It is important that you have a clear understanding of the work before proceeding.

Each KAP protocol is individually tailored to address your challenges and needs. A typical protocol can last 2-3 months. After a more intensive protocol, some individuals may return for maintenance sessions or to do additional processing.

The results of KAP vary from person to person. Some people a rapid experience a reduction in symptoms. For most people lasting changes come after a longer period of work, often a series of 3-6 KAP sessions. This allows time to integrate the cognitive, relational and behavioral changes that lead to lasting transformation.

Out of pocket costs for KAP are billed at my hourly rate of $175 per hour. Dosing sessions typically last 3 hours.

If I am in-network with your insurance, I can bill for the preparation and integration sessions, as well as the first hour of the KAP session. You would pay out of pocket for any time after the first billable hour of the dosing session at my hourly rate. This would be in addition to any copayments your ordinarily pay.

For example, payment for a 3 hour session would look like this:

Your copayment for the 1st Hour + $350 for last two hours (billed at my hourly rate of $175).

Journey Clinical charges $250 for their initial medial evaluation, and a $150 for follow up appointments with their prescribers.

I offer KAP in person at my office in Jamaica Plain, right in the heart of Boston. I will take care of everything so you can be as comfortable as possible. You will need to arrange a ride home from the session.

Preparation and integration sessions are typically done remotely, or you can meet me outside for an Ecotherapy session.