Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a holistic modality in which ketamine is used as a complement to psychotherapy to help eligible patients experience more frequent breakthroughs and sustained improvement in symptoms. At Journey Clinical, we practice a collaborative care model in which Journey Clinical members (licensed, trained psychotherapists) take on the therapy portion of the experience, while Journey Clinical’s medical team supports patients on all medical aspects. This includes determining eligibility, developing a custom treatment plan, prescribing the medicine and monitoring outcomes.
Initial Consultation with Journey Clinical
The prospective patient schedules an initial evaluation with a KAP-trained clinician from the Journey Clinical medical team, where they will go over the patient’s medical and psychiatric history, provide education on the treatment and determine eligibility for KAP. If Journey Clinical’s medical team determine that the patient is eligible, they develop a personalized Ketamine prescription and outcome monitoring plan.
KAP Preparation, Dosing & Integration
All Journey Clinical patients are in a therapeutic alliance with a trained, licensed mental health professional within the Journey Clinical network. Once the patient receives their ketamine prescription, their Journey Clinical KAP practitioner will schedule time for their KAP preparation, dosing and integration sessions together.
Preparation Sessions
The goal of a preparation session(s) is to align on the process and set intentions for the KAP work together. Preparation session(s) will be scheduled just like regular therapy sessions prior to the KAP dosing session; the quantity and length of these sessions is determined by the psychotherapist and the patient’s unique treatment plan.
KAP Dosing Session
A typical ketamine dosing session lasts between 1-3 hours and can take place either in-person or remotely via telehealth. During a dosing session, patients self-administer their ketamine lozenge. Typically, the patient will be in a comfortable, reclining position wearing an eye mask and listening to calming music. Although a KAP dosing session may be largely an internal experience, the therapist is present the entire time to hold space and provide support as needed.
Integration Sessions
After every KAP dosing session, the patient and their therapist meet for multiple integration therapy sessions to review the memories, thoughts & insights that arose during the dosing session, and to prepare for the next dosing session.
Ongoing Outcome Monitoring
Journey Clinical’s medical team schedules regular follow ups with you to monitor outcomes and prescribe ketamine lozenge refills, as appropriate. The frequency of follow ups depends on the patient’s customized treatment plan, at a minimum of once per quarter.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is an affordable, accessible modality. Although the medical intake and follow ups are not covered by insurance, they are eligible for out of-network reimbursement. If you are a prospective patient looking to determine your eligibility for KAP, please fill out our new patient intake form here and a member of the Journey Clinical team will get back to you as soon as possible.