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Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is a type of psychotherapy that uses ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, as an adjunct to therapy. KAP is often used to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health conditions.
How It Works
There are four main steps in the KAP Process, which you can read about below to get an understanding of where to start and what to expect. All KAP sessions at Moonstone are held in our Westlake Office. Some aspects of KAP may be covered by insurance, but typically the dosing sessions are an out-of-pocket expense. All KAP clinicians at Moonstone have been through 40+ hours of Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy training, which includes at least two experiential opportunities to receive the ketamine themselves, so we understand personally the way ketamine works and impacts the individual on a physical, emotional, spiritual and relational level.
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We partner with Journey Clinical and local psychiatric providers who you will schedule an appointment with for a medical evaluation. Your prescriber will determine whether or not ketamine is right for you. If it is, they will prescribe the medicine to you.
Journey Clinical will mail you ketamine lozenges that you will bring into the office for your medicine session. If you are receiving an intramuscular (IM) dose, then your prescriber will be present in the office and administer the ketamine to you. Journey Clinical charges $250 for medical evaluation and $150 for two medicine doses. Our local prescribers accept many insurance plans, so their services may be covered!
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Prep sessions are an integral part of KAP. Once you have your medical evaluation complete and consents formed, you can start the preparation.
Your KAP therapist will collaborate with you and your prescriber on your treatment plan. Your therapist will help you prepare for your dosing session, setting your intention and answering questions you may have about the experience. Your therapist with cover safety, informed consent, and what items you may want to bring with you to your medicine session.
Be sure to sign the KAP consent forms in your portal. These sessions can be covered by health insurance, just like typical therapy sessions.
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Your dosing session is a 2 to 3-hour block of time that you will schedule with your KAP therapist in the office. During this dosing session, you will have your KAP therapist by your side the entire time and you will have time before and after the ketamine experience to process with your therapist.
If you are receiving IM ketamine, your prescriber will also be there to administer the shot, and provide any other medical oversight needed. If you received lozenges, you will bring them with you and self-administer when ready. You will need to make sure you have a ride home because you will not be able to drive for the rest of the day.
The cost for each medicine session is $550. These sessions are not covered by health insurance. Your prescriber may be able to bill your insurance for the administration of the injection, though.
Please note: there may be an additional fee for the medication and injection depending on provider -
One to three days after your dosing session, you will meet with your KAP therapist for an integration session. Integration sessions always happen between dosing sessions. These sessions are meant to help you process your ketamine experience and integrate it into your life in a way that is consistent with you goals, intentions and treatment plan.
These sessions are a critical component into the overall KAP process and will support the opportunity for you to integrate the prep, medicine, and post-medicine experiences in a way that hopefully culminates into new insight, understanding, awareness and potential change or healing in your life. These sessions can be covered by health insurance, just like typical therapy sessions.
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The current full rates for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy services at Moonstone Counseling PLLC:
120-180 minute Dosing Session (Counseling/ Psychotherapy): $550
53 minutes (KAP Prep Session): $165
53 minutes (KAP Integration Session): $165
If you engage in a standard course of 6 KAP dosing sessions with prep and integration, the above fees would total below.
Please note: at least 1 prep session is required, but more may be needed
Integration session x1 @ $165 = $165
KAP Dosing Session x6 @ $550 = $3,300
Integration session x6 @ $165 = $990
Please note: Additional fees apply for the prescriber and medication, as they bill outside of Moonstone.
Because KAP is not covered by insurance, we do not offer superbills for insurance reimbursements.
See fees page for more information.
The Science of Ketamine
Potential
Risks
KAP
Sessions
KAP
FAQs
FAQs
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Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is a type of psychotherapy that uses ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, as an adjunct to therapy. The drug is administered under the guidance of a licensed therapist, who helps the patient explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in a safe and supportive environment.
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is often used to treat depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health conditions. The therapy is typically administered over several sessions, with the patient reclining in a comfortable position while the therapist guides them through their thoughts and emotions.
Ketamine is believed to work by temporarily blocking certain brain receptors, which can produce a sense of detachment from reality. This can allow patients to more easily explore their inner experiences and gain insights into their behaviors and emotions.
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The benefits of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may include:
Rapid relief of symptoms: Unlike traditional psychotherapy, which can take weeks or even months to produce noticeable improvements, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may provide relief from symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions within hours or days.
Increased self-awareness: Ketamine can produce a state of dissociation, which can help patients gain insights into their emotions, behaviors, and patterns of thought.
Enhanced therapeutic alliance: The close guidance and support of a trained therapist during the therapy sessions can help patients feel heard, validated, and supported, which can strengthen the therapeutic alliance and improve treatment outcomes.
Long-lasting effects: Studies suggest that the effects of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may last for several weeks or even months after the therapy sessions have ended.
Potential for lower doses and reduced side effects: Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may be able to achieve similar results with lower doses of ketamine than those used in traditional anesthesia, which can reduce the risk of negative side effects such as nausea and vomiting.
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Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is typically administered in a controlled setting, such as a clinic, under the guidance of a licensed healthcare professional. The therapy usually involves several sessions, each lasting between two to three hours.
During the therapy session, the patient is given a low dose of ketamine through an oral lozenge or intramuscular (IM) injection. The dose is carefully monitored and adjusted to ensure that the patient achieves the desired therapeutic effects while minimizing the risk of negative side effects.
After the ketamine is administered, the patient is encouraged to recline in a comfortable position and relax. After the effects of the medicine start to wear off, the therapist guides the patient through their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. The therapist may use a variety of techniques, such as mindfulness exercises, talk therapy, and guided imagery, to help the patient explore their inner experiences and gain insights into their behaviors and emotions.
The therapist closely monitors the patient throughout the session, checking in on their physical and emotional state and adjusting the therapy as needed. After the session is over, the patient is usually observed for a short period of time to ensure that they are feeling well enough to leave the clinic.
It is important to note that ketamine-assisted psychotherapy should only be administered by a licensed healthcare professional who has received specialized training in the use of ketamine for psychotherapy. Patients should also be screened carefully to ensure that they are good candidates for the therapy and do not have any medical conditions that could make ketamine unsafe for them.
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Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy has shown promising results in the treatment of various mental health conditions, including:
Treatment-resistant depression
Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Chronic pain conditions
Substance use disorders, including alcohol and opioid addiction
Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia
Bipolar disorder
Personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder
It is important to note that while ketamine-assisted psychotherapy has shown promising results in the treatment of these conditions, it is not a one-size-fits-all treatment and may not be effective for everyone. It is crucial to work with a qualified and experienced ketamine-assisted psychotherapist to determine if this treatment is appropriate for an individual's specific needs and circumstances.
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The number of sessions of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy required can vary depending on the individual's needs and response to treatment. Typically, a course of treatment can consist of six to eight sessions, with each session lasting between 90 and 120 minutes. However, some people may require more or fewer sessions depending on their specific circumstances.
The frequency of sessions can also vary. Initially, sessions may be more frequent, such as once or twice a week, and then gradually spaced out as the person progresses in treatment.
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Yes, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy can be combined with other forms of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. In fact, many ketamine-assisted psychotherapists utilize a multi-modal approach to treatment, combining the medication with different forms of psychotherapy to provide a more comprehensive and individualized treatment approach.
Combining ketamine-assisted psychotherapy with other therapies can provide additional benefits, such as helping individuals to develop new coping skills, addressing underlying thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to their mental health condition, and improving overall emotional regulation and well-being.