Ketamine

As with therapy generally, I bring to KAP the working assumption that people seeking support already have substantial knowledge about what type of therapeutic process will be most helpful.  In preparing for a ketamine session, I will ask you questions to help draw out this knowledge as we imagine together the form that KAP will take.  For some, a ketamine session may involve various rituals, symbols and invocations; others may benefit from a more minimalist approach involving simple intention setting before ingesting the lozenge.  Co-creating KAP in a collaborative way allows the experience to take on richer layers of personal meaning that may not be present in a one-size-fits-all approach.   

A transformative experience often includes cultural and spiritual dimensions, and I endeavor to honor these elements throughout the KAP process. In collaboratively shaping each session, we can weave in practices that reflect your background—selecting culturally resonant music, including meaningful rituals, or invoking the support of ancestors, unseen beings, or aspects of the natural world. I also aspire to remain attentive to how my own cultural and spiritual perspectives may influence our work together and to be transparent about these influences when needed. Keeping culture and spirituality in focus enriches the integration dialogue, allowing insights from the ketamine experience to resonate within larger frames of meaning.

Therapeutic change often occurs within relationships, not only with your therapist but also with the significant people in your life. With this in mind, I will support including significant people in your life in ways that feel meaningful and aligned with your preferences. This might involve inviting a loved one to an integration session so they can witness and reflect back your emerging insights, or bringing a trusted person to a KAP session itself. Even when others are not physically present, I remain attentive to the relational context of your experiences, ensuring that the meaning derived from ketamine-assisted therapy can be enriched and carried forward within the important relationships in your life.

Prior to engaging in KAP, you will meet separately with myself and a medical prescriber for assessment to ensure that KAP will be safe and appropriate for your needs.  KAP may not be appropriate for people with a history of psychosis, bipolar disorder, active substance abuse, or certain cardiovascular conditions.

Cost for a single course of ketamine treatment, including preparation and integration sessions, ranges from $250 to $750, depending on insurance coverage.  I am able to offer a reduced rate for multiple KAP sessions.  You will also be responsible for any costs related to the medical consult and the prescribed ketamine.  Making KAP accessible is important to me, and I am happy to discuss sliding scale options as my practice allows.   

Ketamine has been used for decades as a surgical anesthetic, with desirable properties of not suppressing heart rate or breathing.  Doses used for KAP are typically about 10 times lower than an anesthetic dose.  Compared to other psychedelic substances, ketamine's short duration and qualitative properties make it an ideal substance to assist a therapeutic process.  See here for a frequently cited study supporting the safety and effectiveness of lozenge-based KAP therapy in community-based outpatient settings. 

Therapist misconduct during substance-assisted therapy is an issue that has received increasing attention in recent years.  For those who would like, I offer the option of video recording KAP sessions.  Recordings are created using a non-internet-connected device and are retained on a data card for a limited period of time after the KAP session.  Participants may receive a copy of the recorded session upon request.