Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy, or PAP, is the professionally-supervised use of psychedelic medicines as an adjunct to psychotherapy. It is an emerging therapeutic approach that combines the use of psychedelic substances to facilitate deep psychological healing and personal growth. Through PAP, therapists use psychedelics in their work with their clients to provide higher responsiveness to therapy and longer symptom improvement.
In my practice, I offer Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, or KAP. It is a form of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy that combines safe, legal ketamine treatment and dedicated psychotherapy sessions. KAP has the potential to address the root causes of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions for positive, safe, and longer lasting clinical outcomes.
Ketamine is a legal, safe, and effective medicine used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Ketamine can induce altered states of consciousness, allowing clients to explore their thoughts and emotions from new perspectives, which can facilitate healing and personal growth. Ketamine can be delivered in a number of ways, including intravenous injection (IV), intramuscular injection (IM), intranasal (nasal spray) or sublingual (oral lozenge). In my practice, I use sublingual (oral lozenge) and intramuscular injection (IM), depending on the collaborative model used.
I partner with an organization called, Journey Clinical (www.journeyclinical.com ), which has a specialized medical team that determines eligibility for KAP, prescribes ketamine lozenges, and supports me in monitoring outcomes. I also partner with a local psychiatrist who similarly determines eligibility for KAP, uses intravenous injection (IV), and supports me in monitoring progress.
In June 2024, I became certified in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research via the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS). The certificate program lasted 10 months, and I continue my studies in psychedelic-assisted therapies and research today.
When I work with a new KAP client, I use a structured, yet flexible, approach. I meet with clients for at least two (2) to three (3) sessions before a dosing session.
Intake Assessment
The first session is an intake assessment. Here, I will ask questions to explore a client's history, their interest/intention for KAP, and best understand their unique attachment, culture, neurodiversity (learning, expressing, processing, integrating, etc.), needs, and challenges. After the first session, once the client is found to be a good fit for KAP, I refer to either Journey Clinical or a local psychiatrist for medical clearance.
Preparation - Set and Setting
Once medically cleared and prescription authorized, I meet with clients for at least one (1) to two (2) preparation sessions to discuss set and setting. Set is the state of mind for the ketamine journey. Setting is the physical space where the ketamine journey will take place. In these two sessions, I dive deeper into the client's intentions, hopes and fears for the ketamine journey. We discuss safety and therapeutic protocols, including the difference between safety and therapeutic touch, and we rehearse the journey to orient the client to the eye mask, headphones, couch or mat, transportation arrangements, and fasting protocols, e.g. for day of dosing session.
Dosing Session
The dosing session lasts approximately 3 hours. I meet with clients for 30-min to 1-hour to review alignment with fasting and medication protocols (per MD recommendation), ground the mindbodyheartspirit into intention and presence for the journey, support the client to get comfortable on the coach or mat, and familiarize themself with the medicine dosing protocol. Once the dose is administered, I sit quietly in the room giving my full attention to the client while they journey with eye mask and headphones on. Approximately 45-min to 1-hour after dosage, when the ketamine begins to wear off, I support the client to orient to their bodies and surroundings, and we begin gentle integration before coordinating the pre-arranged ride home.
Integration Session
I meet with my client for at least one (1) integration session after the dosing session. This session occurs the day after the dosing session (recommended) and/or within a week from the dosing session. Integration is the process of putting peaces together and meaning making. Integration looks to explore experiences and insights from the journey and interweave it into daily life. This is a pivotal time to maximize the neuroplasticity of the ketamine for the client's benefit. Once the session is completed, the client and I discuss the option and/or treatment plan for future dosing session(s).
The number of sessions varies per person and need, however, a standard treatment plan involves an average of six (6) to eight (8) dosing sessions. This does not include the initial or preparation sessions, medical evaluation, nor the follow-up integration session. Development of a treatment plan will be a collaborative effort by psychotherapist, client, and prescriber.
My fee is $200 for a 50-minute KAP session. I prorate sessions of 60-minutes to $240.
Below is a breakdown for an initial round of KAP (not including medical consultation or medication):
• Initial assessment (50 min) = $200
• Preparation session (50 min) = $200
• Dosing session (3 hours = 180 min) = $720 (since $240 per 60 min)
• Integration session (50 min) = $200
Total cost: $1,320
Journey Clinical Fees:
First-Time Patients:
• Initial Medical Consultation – $250
• Medication (for 2 sessions) – $88
Ongoing Treatment:
• Follow-up Medical Consultation (at least once per quarter) – $150
• Medication (for 6 sessions) – $148
Good Faith Estimate Notice: You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your healthcare provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises
I accept payments of cash, check, debit/credit card, and FSA card at the time of service.
No, I am not empanelled with any insurance company. I am an Out of Network Provider (OON) and can provide superbills for you to seek reimbursement from your insurance provider.
Journey Clinical:
In California, Journey Clinical currently accept the following insurance plans for covered medical consultations: AETNA, Blue Shield, Anthem, & Cigna.
If the medical intake and follow ups are not covered by insurance, they may be eligible for out-of-network reimbursement.