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 patients experience more frequent breakthroughs and sustained improvement in symptoms. I take on the psychotherapy portion of the experience, while a prescriber supports you on all medical aspects. This includes determining eligibility, developing a custom treatment plan, prescribing the medicine and monitoring outcomes.

What is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?

KAP is a legal modality that pairs ketamine treatment with dedicated psychotherapy sessions for more deeper therapy, more frequent breakthroughs and better clinical 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 hrs. after treatment and last for up to 2 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. In my work with we only use the sublingual lozenge form.  

How Does Ketamine Feel? 

The effects of ketamine, which most patients 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. Your motor and verbal abilities will be reduced, so we make sure you’ll be safe and comfortable during the session. Once these effects subsided, we’ll spend the remainder of our appointment giving you space to process and discuss your experience. While it may feel hard to articulate what happened during the experience, patients feel like the insights gained are none-the-less clear. 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?

  • Initial consultation with Journey Clinical

    After meeting with me, you schedule an initial evaluation with a medical provider. They will go over your medical and psychiatric history with you, provide education on the treatment and determine if you are eligible for KAP.

    If medical provider determines that you are eligible for KAP, they will develop a personalized ketamine prescription and outcome monitoring plan for you. 

    The medical provider will write a ketamine prescription for you, and a small amount of oral ketamine will be sent to your home, enough for a few KAP sessions. You will be taught to take your vitals and self-administer the ketamine by the medical provider in advance of our KAP sessions.

  • Preparation sessions: 

    Once you receive your ketamine lozenges, we will schedule time together for our KAP preparation and dosing 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.  

  • KAP Dosing Session: 

    A typical ketamine dosing session lasts around 90 minutes and can take place either in-person at my office, or remotely via telehealth. 

    During a dosing session, you will self-administer your ketamine either in my office or in your home.  You will be in a comfortable position.  Although a KAP dosing session is partially an internal experience, I will also be present with you - and we will discuss the type of therapy that bests aligns with your treatment goals.

  • Follow-up consultations with medical provider:

    After our first few KAP sessions, the medical provider schedules regular follow ups with you to monitor outcomes and prescribe ketamine refills, as appropriate.  The frequency of follow ups depends on your unique treatment plan, at a minimum of once per quarter.

What is the Cost of Treatment?

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is an affordable, accessible modality. Although the medical intake and follow ups are generally not covered by insurance, they are eligible for out-of-network reimbursement.

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Sessions:

  • My typical hourly rate is $180/hr

Average Medical Costs:

  • KAP Intake:

    • Consultation: $250 

    • Non-covered services (including medication): $112

  • KAP Follow-Up:

    • Consultation: $150 

    • Non-covered services (including medication): $208

  • Medication Management (regular psychiatry appointment): 

    • $250 flat fee

How Do I Sign Up?

If you would like to explore the possibility of working with me on KAP, please e-mail me at mark@markmattek.org 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

  3. Ketamine for Depression and Mood Disorders by Erica Zelfand, ND for Townsend Letter

  4. Ketamine-Facilitated Psychotherapy for Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression by goop

  5. Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy with Jonathan Sabbagh of Journey Clinical - Psychology Talk Podcast