Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

At Phoenix Therapy & Wellness, we are committed to offering innovative, evidence-informed approaches to healing for individuals who may not have found relief through traditional therapy alone. We are proud to offer Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in collaboration with Journey Clinical.

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy combines the therapeutic benefits of psychotherapy with ketamine treatment to help facilitate meaningful emotional healing and personal growth. Research has shown that ketamine, when administered in a carefully monitored medical setting, may help reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and other mental health conditions while increasing openness, emotional flexibility, and the brain’s ability to form new
connections.

Our therapists provide preparation sessions before treatment, therapeutic support during the ketamine experience when appropriate, and integration sessions afterward to help clients process insights, strengthen new perspectives, and translate those experiences into lasting change. We believe that the psychotherapy surrounding the ketamine experience is essential to achieving meaningful and sustainable healing.

Medical evaluation, prescribing, and ongoing monitoring are provided through our collaboration with Journey Clinical’s licensed medical providers. Once a client is determined to be an appropriate candidate, our therapists work closely with the Journey Clinical team to coordinate care, ensuring a safe, collaborative, and personalized treatment experience.

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is not appropriate for everyone. The decision to pursue KAP begins with a comprehensive assessment to determine whether this treatment aligns with your needs, goals, and medical history. If you are interested in learning more, our team would be happy to discuss whether KAP may be an appropriate option as part of your healing journey.

Please reach out to Nicole E. Wolasz, LCSW-R for further information at nicolewolasz@gmail.com.

KAP

Approximate length of each session: 3 hours
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. Our team takes on the psychotherapy portion of the experience, while a medical team from Journey Clinical supports our clients with all medical needs throughout this process. This includes determining eligibility, developing a custom treatment plan, prescribing the medicine and monitoring outcomes.

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. 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. In our work with Journey Clinical we only use the sublingual lozenge form.

How does KAP work?

Your first step is to schedule an initial telemedicine evaluation with the Journey Clinical medical team. During this evaluation, a member of Journey Clinical’s medical team will review your medical and psychiatric history, provide education on the treatment, and determine your eligibility for KAP. If the medical team determines that you are eligible for KAP, this provider will
develop a personalized monitoring plan and write a ketamine prescription for you. The prescription will be sent to your home or local pharmacy for pick up. Your first prescription will include enough medicine two KAP dosing sessions. You will receive instructions by the medical team on how to take your vitals and self-administer the ketamine lozenges during your KAP dosing sessions.

Once you receive your ketamine lozenges, you will begin KAP preparation with your therapist. 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 your KAP experience. The number of preparation sessions scheduled will depend on your individualized treatment needs.

A typical ketamine dosing session lasts for about three hours and can take place either in-person at one of our offices, or remotely via our secure telehealth platform. Regardless of where the session takes place, you will be in charge of self-administering your ketamine lozenge during the dosing session. You will work with your therapist to find a comfortable position, usually reclined or lying down, wearing an eye mask and listening to calming music. Although a KAP dosing session may be largely an internal experience, your therapist will be present with you the entire time to hold space and provide support as needed.

After your KAP dosing session, you and your therapist will meet for integration therapy sessions to review the memories, thoughts and insights that arose during your dosing session. You may also prepare for the next dosing session. Your first integration session will usually be scheduled within 72 hours to maximize the ketamine’s effectiveness on your therapy process.

After your first KAP session, your therapist will be collaborating with Journey Clinical’s medical team to monitor progress and outcomes of your KAP experience. Your Journey Clinical medical provider will also schedule regular follow-up medical consultations with you and prescribe ketamine lozenge refills, as appropriate. The frequency of these follow-up appointments depends on your unique treatment plan, though they’re scheduled once quarterly at minimum.

Please note that ketamine dosing sessions are typically not reimbursable by insurance. However, Preparation and Integration sessions can usually be covered. Please contact your insurance company for further details about your coverage.