Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) 101

I offer a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP).

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a holistic modality in which ketamine is used as a complement to psychotherapy to help eligible clients experience more frequent breakthroughs and sustained improvement in symptoms. I take on the psychotherapy portion of the experience, while a psychiatric practice that I partner with supports you on all medical aspects. This includes determining eligibility, developing a treatment plan, prescribing ketamine and monitoring outcomes. Below is more information about KAP to help you consider if it may be a good fit for you.

What is Ketamine?

● Ketamine is a legal, safe and effective medicine used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety and PTSD. Ketamine has rapidly-acting antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects, which can begin to take effect within 1-2 hours. after treatment and last for up to two weeks. It works by blocking the brain’s NMDA receptors as well as by stimulating AMPA receptors, which are thought to help 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.

● Ketamine can be administered in a variety of ways, including IV infusion, intramuscular injection, via nasal spray and using sublingual lozenges. I am trained in the use of sublingual lozenges.

How Does Ketamine Feel?

● The effects of ketamine, which most clients find pleasant, last for approximately 45 minutes. These effects can make you feel “far from” your body, and facilitate shifts in perception that can often feel expansive in nature. Once these effects subside, the remainder of a KAP session is used to process and discuss the experience. While it may feel hard to articulate what happened during the experience, clients feel like the insights gained are valuable. Studies have shown that the benefits to mood and neurological growth can last up to two weeks after the ketamine experience.

How Does Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Work?

1. Initial consultation with me

● You schedule an initial session with me, so I can learn more about you and assess if KAP would be an appropriate treatment approach for the focus of your therapy.

● I would then refer you to a psychiatric practice I partner with which specializes in ketamine. They go over your medical and psychiatric history with you, provide education on the treatment, and determine if you are eligible for therapeutic ketamine. If they do determine that you are eligible for KAP, they will prescribe the ketamine lozenges, which will be mailed to you by a compounding pharmacy.

2. Preparation sessions

● Once you receive your ketamine lozenges, we will schedule time together for our KAP preparation, dosing, and integration sessions. Preparation session(s) will be scheduled just like regular therapy sessions prior to the KAP dosing session. The goal of a preparation session(s) is to align on the process and set intentions for our KAP sessions together.

3. KAP Dosing Session

● A typical ketamine dosing session lasts approximately 2-3 hours and takes place in person at my office.

● During a dosing session, you will self-administer your ketamine lozenge in my office. 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 integration sessions to review the memories, thoughts, and insights that arose during your dosing session.

If you would like to explore the possibility of working with me on KAP, please e-mail me at efinnertylcsw@gmail.com to discuss eligibility and next steps.

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