What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic. It was approved for use by the FDA in the 1970’s and its safety is well established. It is very commonly used for anesthesia during surgical procedures, particularly in pediatric and emergency medicine. Doses for surgical purposes are 4-5 times higher than those used in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), which are considered sub-anesthetic.
Sub-anesthetic doses of ketamine to treat conditions like mental illness or pain are newer, off-label uses of ketamine that have not yet been approved by the FDA. However, there have been many studies demonstrating ketamine’s efficacy for various psychiatric disorders, particularly “treatment resistant” depression due to its rapid onset, safety and short duration of action.
Why ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) instead of ketamine alone?
Ketamine is often provided as a stand-alone treatment for it's antidepressant properties. KAP expands on this benefit by harnessing the power of therapy to deepen the exploration and weaving of insights gleaned from a psychedelic experience. The integrative and holistic approach of KAP honors the unique journey of the individual and this offers a more transformative and durable healing experience.
Who is a good candidate for KAP?
The bulk of research supports the use of KAP for treatment-resistant depression. There is a growing body of evidence that supports KAP in the treatment of other conditions such as anxiety, trauma and substance use disorders, among others.
The benefits KAP offers are most suited to individuals who:
... are looking for a root-cause approach to healing rather than "symptom management"
... who feel a sense of readiness to look inward, explore, and be with the parts of themselves that are scary, painful or uncomfortable
... who would like to work on being more open and vulnerable in order to connect more deeply with their friends and family
... who would like to invite spirituality into their healing journey
How much does it cost?
A typical course of individual KAP treatment includes intake/assessment, preparation and 4-6 medicine and integrations sessions. The total cost for this number of sessions is dependent on the route of administration (sublingual or intramuscular), but generally ranges between $3,450 and $5,700. We create individualized treatment plans based on each persons unique symptoms, circumstances and goals. This may include fewer or more sessions and would affect the total cost. For more details on prices and our payment process:
Unfortunately, KAP is a treatment that is not approved by the FDA. As a result, it is not covered by commercial insurance companies. You may request a superbill of services provided to submit to your insurance. They may reimburse some of your costs, but it is your responsibility to speak to your insurance to determine if they will reimburse you and how much.
We believe in accessibility and make every effort within our means to offer sliding-scale and payment plan options for individuals with significant financial barriers, particularly for those who hold marginalized identities. Our ability to offer reduced cost treatment is dependent on the majority of our clients paying the full rate and may not always be available. Please make note of any barriers to accessing treatment in your inquiry. For certain individuals, Group KAP can be a safe, appropriate and more cost effective alternative that can be equally as powerful.
How long is a course of treatment?
The current literature recommends 4-6 ketamine sessions for treatment resistant depression, though course of treatment is unique and curated to meet each individuals needs. Based on someones symptoms and circumstances, they may benefit from fewer, or more, than 4-6 sessions. Sessions are usually scheduled weekly, but can be spaced out more to accommodate schedules, or as frequently as twice per week. Courses of treatments vary from a few weeks to months.
What is the difference between in-person KAP and remote, online KAP?
There are multiple online Ketamine programs that offer remote, at-home treatment. This may be a safe option for some. We personally recommend in-person KAP treatment for those who:
... have never had a psychedelic experience
... feel apprehensive or nervous
... have a significant trauma history, very severe symptoms, or struggle to sit with discomfort
... have a co-occurring medical condition