Partnership in Transformation

What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a legal, safe and effective medicine used as a complimentary tool to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety and PTSD. Ketamine has rapidly-acting antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects, which are experienced within a 2-3 hour session and after treatment for up to 2 weeks. It works by blocking the brain’s NMDA receptors as well as by stimulating AMPA receptors. Te treatment helps form new synaptic connections and boost neural circuits that regulate stress and mood. Ketamine has also been shown to enhance overall "neuroplasticity" for lasting symptom improvement. In my work with Journey Clinical we use the sublingual lozenge form of Ketamine. It can be administered in a variety of other ways, including IV infusion, intramuscular injection, and via nasal spray. 

What is Journey Clinical?
Journey Clinical is a platform for licensed psychotherapists to incorporate science-based psychedelic therapies in their practice safely and effectively, starting with Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). Journey Clinical’s in-house medical team takes on patient eligibility, prescriptions, and outcome monitoring. Their collaborative care model delivers personalized psycho-pharmaceutical treatment to meet your individual needs and long-term outcome.
How Does KAP work? 
1) Initial consultation with Journey Clinical: You schedule an initial evaluation with a clinician from the Journey Clinical medical team via zoom. They will go over your medical and psychiatric history with you, provide education on the treatment and determine if you are eligible for KAP.
  • If Journey Clinical’s medical team determines that you are eligible for KAP, they will develop a personalized Ketamine prescription and outcome monitoring plan for you.
  • Journey Clinical’s medical staff will write a ketamine prescription for you, and a small amount of oral ketamine will be sent to your home, enough for the first 2 KAP sessions. You will be taught to take your vitals and self-administer the ketamine lozenges by Journey Clinical’s medical team in advance of our KAP preparation sessions:

2) KAP Preparation Sessions:
​Preparation sessions will be scheduled just like regular therapy sessions prior to the KAP dosing session. Preparation sessions align the process and set intentions for our KAP sessions together.
3) KAP Dosing Session:
  • A typical ketamine dosing session lasts between 2-3 hours and can occur either in-person or via telehealth.
  • During a dosing session, you will self-administer your ketamine lozenge. You 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, I will be present with you the entire time to hold space and provide support as needed. 

4) Integration Sessions:
After our KAP dosing session, we will meet for multiple integration therapy sessions to review the memories, thoughts & insights that arose during your dosing session, and to prepare for the next dosing session. 

​5) Follow-up Consultations with Journey Clinical:
After our first KAP session, Journey Clinical’s medical team schedules regular follow ups to monitor outcomes and prescribe ketamine lozenge refills, as appropriate. Frequency of follow ups depends on your unique treatment plan, at a minimum of once per quarter.
What is the Cost of Treatment?
JOURNEY CLINICAL MEDICAL
  • Medical Intake: $250 (One time fee, reimbursable through out-of-network)
  • Medical Follow-up Sessions: $150/Session (minimum of 1/quarter, reimbursable through out-of-network)
  • Cost of Ketamine Lozenges: $75 for approximately 4-6 lozenges (not covered by insurance) and mailed directly. 

ESSENSUATE PSYCHOLOGY GROUP, APC
  • The hourly rates for preparation and integration sessions are the same as regular psychotherapy sessions. 
  • ​Special pricing is available for extended KAP dosing sessions and are listed here. ​
How Do I Sign Up?
If you would like to explore the possibility of working with me on KAP, please request a free 15-minute consultation to discuss eligibility and next steps. here.
Helpful Resources:
1. Paradigms of Ketamine Treatment by Raquel Bennett, Psy.D. for MAPS
2. Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP): Patient Demographics, Clinical Data and Outcomes in Three Large Practices Administering Ketamine with Psychotherapy - research study by Jennifer Dore et al, 2018
3. Ketamine for Depression and Mood Disorders by Erica Zelfand, ND for Townsend Letter
4. Ketamine-Facilitated Psychotherapy for Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression by goop
5. Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy with Jonathan Sabbagh of Journey Clinical - Psychology Talk Podcast
6.- Music in psychedelic medicine