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Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)
|
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)
These services are only offered in Colorado at this time.
What is Ketamine and what is Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)?
Ketamine was introduced, commercially, in the 1970’s as a “rapidly acting, nonbarbiturate general anesthetic.”, and has been considered a safe and effective alternative to many surgical anesthetics for over 50 years. In the early 1970’s, Ketamine also caught the attention of the psychotherapy world. Current day, Ketamine has been found to provide rapid relief for those who suffer from numerous mental health and medical problems.
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, or KAP, is a psychedelic assisted therapy that focuses on healing the mind through a combination of Ketamine and psychotherapy. Ketamine is often mis-associated with the street drug known as “Special K”, which may cause harmful effects when taken as a recreational drug and is very different from KAP. KAP, is the administration of Ketamine under the care of a qualified medical professional and psychotherapist, producing an entirely different therapeutic experience while also increasing the opportunity of success; especially when used to treat certain chronic conditions. KAP has shown positive results in rapidly reducing symptoms in 50-70% of patients, especially in those who have not seen change or growth using traditional methods.
What diagnoses is KAP best known for supporting?
Depression; including treatment-resistant
PTSD
Major Mood Disorders
Those experiencing severe distress due to a chronic and/or life-altering major illness
Anxiety
Acute Suicidality
Eating Disorders
Chronic Pain
Fibromyalgia
Addiction
Migraines
Here is podcast on the Tim Ferris Show, that carefully reviews Ketamine
How does KAP work?
According to NIH, it is estimated that between 30% and 50% of patients who take antidepressants are continuing treatment without experiencing clinical benefit. This is one of the areas that Ketamine has been successful. Ketamine works differently than SSRIs, in that SSRI’s take time to build up, in the body’s system, to become effective. Upon administration, Ketamine quickly begins to alter the activity of the neurotransmitters in the brain, nurturing healthy brain connections by influencing a brain chemical called glutamate and providing clients with quicker relief. Using low dose administration, in a monitored setting, KAP supports the brain in ‘rewiring’ itself, opening the way for change and healing. Here is a bit more about how our KAP program works:
KAP has been known to help people who often feel ‘held down’ by their thinking patterns or mood, to find new perspectives, create new narratives, and begin to cope with the challenges life provides in a different way.
What happens during a KAP program?
The first step to beginning your journey with Ketamine is to meet with our qualified, and experienced, nurse practitioner, Dr. Sherissa Sebastian, for a psychiatric evaluation to determine qualification for our program. These sessions are typically 60 minutes. During the initial interview, the nurse practitioner will review your paperwork and discuss your symptoms and goals. This will assist the practitioner in making the best recommendation for your treatment and make a recommendation on steps to take prior to beginning your KAP program. Industry standard recommendation suggests 6-8 Ketamine sessions spread across 2-6 weeks, however, each client is different and this is why we personalize your program to you. After this initial series, most clients will typically enter into the remission stage (some may require ‘maintenance’ sessions here and there).
The second step is to participate in 1-3 sessions, with a qualified mental health clinician, to prepare for your journey.
The third step is to begin KAP administration. Here, the administration of Ketamine will occur weekly, or bi-weekly, depending on your personalized program. During administration, you will have 2 options:
1. You may elect to engage in a session, with a mental health clinician, immediately after the treatment has ended (preferred)(subject to arrangement and availability).
2. Engage in a session, with a mental health clinician, within 3 days after treatment (required).
After your first administration, you will be scheduled to meet with the nurse practitioner for a follow-up evaluation to ensure that the original protocol is still viable.
The fourth step occurs if it is determined that KAP continues to be an appropriate approach. If so, you will continue to engage in your KAP program.
What Happens During the Ketamine Dosing Session?
When you come in for your appointment, we will take your vitals and get you prepared for your session. Once you are ready, medication will be administered via intramuscular injection (IM) or under your tongue (sublingual), depending on your program. Both methods of administration offer shorter office visits than KAP programs that utilize an IV route of administration, and are more cost-effective, while still being extremely effective and providing you the opportunity to experience a breakthrough and move forward into a new way of experiencing life.
During your KAP session, you will wear an eye mask and listen to music through headphones as you enter a dreamlike state. You will have access to support, at all times, during your journey. This session typically lasts for one hour, however, please be prepared to be on-site for an average of 1.5 hours, from start to finish. Once your session is complete, you will either meet with your mental health clinician, or you will head home, depending on your program.
What does a KAP session feel like?
Most clients report the feeling of floating, often ‘outside of one’s body’, combined with transformational feelings of peace, tranquility, ego-dissolution, emotional/heart openness and calm. Some people enjoy talking, or journaling, while the majority of clients enjoy engaging in relaxation exercises and/or listening to soothing music. Please note, that while some may be talkative by nature, forming words may be a more difficult while under the influence. During these sessions, it is recommended that you wear an eye mask to facilitate and enhance the experience and help to maintain an inner focus (these will be provided to you). KAP is an introspective experience focused on embracing connection and calm, allowing your brain to engage with the medication.
While most clients have a positive and tolerable experience, some may not. Sensory effects and heightened feelings of dissociation may occur. Oher experiences may include: visualization of colors or enhanced interpretation of colors; changes in vision, tactile and auditory processing; vivid imagery; feeling suspended of floating; time dilation; synesthesia (a mingling of the senses); a feeling of time distortion or loss. Working on ‘hard things’, in the therapeutic environment is often, well, hard. KAP was created to assist with the objective of supporting the client in going deeper into the ‘harder things’. Sometimes this may result in experiences that may be upsetting or uncomfortable. Good news, even uncomfortable experiences can yield value to the process. Establishing and maintaining trust in the therapeutic environment, Dr. Sebastian, and your mental health clinician(s) will tremendously help with this. Please rest assure that if you do begin to have a negative experience, your practitioner will assist in re-establishing stability. Working with a mental health clinician, will also provide support in lessening the chances of having a negative experience.
Every experience is unique. No experience will be the same. If you choose this journey, it is important that you trust the team around you and that you are ready to lean into the path that will unfold. Allow what needs to surface to do so, good or bad. Know that it is all part of the healing process that many have successfully walked before you, and you can too.
What are potential side effects?
slurred speech
mental confusion
elevated blood pressure
blurred vision
nausea
vomiting
If you begin to experience ay negative symptoms, your practitioner will be available to support.
Can I Drive After My KAP Session?
No. Please plan to not engage in driving, operating machinery, caring for others, or signing any important documents until the following morning. Please arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you for the remainder of the day.
What Are the Benefits of Ketamine?
Ketamine can help influence mindset while enhancing multiple neuropathways in your brain
Combining the drug with a psychotherapy session can promote powerful positive shifts in mood
The treatment is safe, controlled and easily administered
Improved enjoyment of life and connections
All treatment is customized for each client
When Can I Expect Results?
While no outcome can be guaranteed, long term improvement is typically experienced with more than one administration and when a program is followed. Most begin to feel relief after the first session.
How Long Will the Benefits Last?
KAP may not permanently relieve you of your symptoms. If you do not experience a change after one administration, up to 8 more may be administered. If you do not experience relief, after 8 administrations of Ketamine, Ketamine may not be an effective treatment approach for you. If your symptoms respond to Ketamine, you may also choose to be treated with medications (if needed) and it is highly recommended that you continue to engage in psychotherapy. Over time, some will require “boosters” of Ketamine to maintain success and avoid recurrence.
What is the difference between KAP and Spravato?
Spravato is a nasal spray that has been approved by the FDA and is covered by some insurances. Spravato is similar to Ketamine, but has been slightly altered, allowing it to pass trials and become FDA approved. Spravato has strict protocols that must be met before use can be approved. This includes failed attempts at anti-depressants and a different method of approach during the administration sessions. At this time, BFCW does not provide Spravato in our program.
Are you ready to begin your journey with KAP? If so, please use this link to schedule a time to speak with our team.
For pricing of our program, please click here.
To read more about the new Good Faith Estimate and Surprise/Balance Billing disclosures, for private pay clients, please click here.
These services are only offered in Colorado at this time.
What is Ketamine and what is Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)?
Ketamine was introduced, commercially, in the 1970’s as a “rapidly acting, nonbarbiturate general anesthetic.”, and has been considered a safe and effective alternative to many surgical anesthetics for over 50 years. In the early 1970’s, Ketamine also caught the attention of the psychotherapy world. Current day, Ketamine has been found to provide rapid relief for those who suffer from numerous mental health and medical problems.
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, or KAP, is a psychedelic assisted therapy that focuses on healing the mind through a combination of Ketamine and psychotherapy. Ketamine is often mis-associated with the street drug known as “Special K”, which may cause harmful effects when taken as a recreational drug and is very different from KAP. KAP, is the administration of Ketamine under the care of a qualified medical professional and psychotherapist, producing an entirely different therapeutic experience while also increasing the opportunity of success; especially when used to treat certain chronic conditions. KAP has shown positive results in rapidly reducing symptoms in 50-70% of patients, especially in those who have not seen change or growth using traditional methods.
What diagnoses is KAP best known for supporting?
Depression; including treatment-resistant
PTSD
Major Mood Disorders
Those experiencing severe distress due to a chronic and/or life-altering major illness
Anxiety
Acute Suicidality
Eating Disorders
Chronic Pain
Fibromyalgia
Addiction
Migraines
Here is podcast on the Tim Ferris Show, that carefully reviews Ketamine
How does KAP work?
According to NIH, it is estimated that between 30% and 50% of patients who take antidepressants are continuing treatment without experiencing clinical benefit. This is one of the areas that Ketamine has been successful. Ketamine works differently than SSRIs, in that SSRI’s take time to build up, in the body’s system, to become effective. Upon administration, Ketamine quickly begins to alter the activity of the neurotransmitters in the brain, nurturing healthy brain connections by influencing a brain chemical called glutamate and providing clients with quicker relief. Using low dose administration, in a monitored setting, KAP supports the brain in ‘rewiring’ itself, opening the way for change and healing. Here is a bit more about how our KAP program works:
- The Ketamine protocol prescribed to our clients is based on up-to-date research and field recommendations, combined with the client’s unique needs and date collected from the initial intake.
- Ketamine works best, when the recommended dosing and administration is combined with psychotherapy from a qualified mental health clinician provider, within 2-3 days of treatment. A relationship with a mental health clinician, to support, is required by our program.
- Research supports that Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy may increase one’s mood and therefore the enjoyment one experiences in their relationships and life.
KAP has been known to help people who often feel ‘held down’ by their thinking patterns or mood, to find new perspectives, create new narratives, and begin to cope with the challenges life provides in a different way.
What happens during a KAP program?
The first step to beginning your journey with Ketamine is to meet with our qualified, and experienced, nurse practitioner, Dr. Sherissa Sebastian, for a psychiatric evaluation to determine qualification for our program. These sessions are typically 60 minutes. During the initial interview, the nurse practitioner will review your paperwork and discuss your symptoms and goals. This will assist the practitioner in making the best recommendation for your treatment and make a recommendation on steps to take prior to beginning your KAP program. Industry standard recommendation suggests 6-8 Ketamine sessions spread across 2-6 weeks, however, each client is different and this is why we personalize your program to you. After this initial series, most clients will typically enter into the remission stage (some may require ‘maintenance’ sessions here and there).
The second step is to participate in 1-3 sessions, with a qualified mental health clinician, to prepare for your journey.
The third step is to begin KAP administration. Here, the administration of Ketamine will occur weekly, or bi-weekly, depending on your personalized program. During administration, you will have 2 options:
1. You may elect to engage in a session, with a mental health clinician, immediately after the treatment has ended (preferred)(subject to arrangement and availability).
2. Engage in a session, with a mental health clinician, within 3 days after treatment (required).
After your first administration, you will be scheduled to meet with the nurse practitioner for a follow-up evaluation to ensure that the original protocol is still viable.
The fourth step occurs if it is determined that KAP continues to be an appropriate approach. If so, you will continue to engage in your KAP program.
What Happens During the Ketamine Dosing Session?
When you come in for your appointment, we will take your vitals and get you prepared for your session. Once you are ready, medication will be administered via intramuscular injection (IM) or under your tongue (sublingual), depending on your program. Both methods of administration offer shorter office visits than KAP programs that utilize an IV route of administration, and are more cost-effective, while still being extremely effective and providing you the opportunity to experience a breakthrough and move forward into a new way of experiencing life.
During your KAP session, you will wear an eye mask and listen to music through headphones as you enter a dreamlike state. You will have access to support, at all times, during your journey. This session typically lasts for one hour, however, please be prepared to be on-site for an average of 1.5 hours, from start to finish. Once your session is complete, you will either meet with your mental health clinician, or you will head home, depending on your program.
What does a KAP session feel like?
Most clients report the feeling of floating, often ‘outside of one’s body’, combined with transformational feelings of peace, tranquility, ego-dissolution, emotional/heart openness and calm. Some people enjoy talking, or journaling, while the majority of clients enjoy engaging in relaxation exercises and/or listening to soothing music. Please note, that while some may be talkative by nature, forming words may be a more difficult while under the influence. During these sessions, it is recommended that you wear an eye mask to facilitate and enhance the experience and help to maintain an inner focus (these will be provided to you). KAP is an introspective experience focused on embracing connection and calm, allowing your brain to engage with the medication.
While most clients have a positive and tolerable experience, some may not. Sensory effects and heightened feelings of dissociation may occur. Oher experiences may include: visualization of colors or enhanced interpretation of colors; changes in vision, tactile and auditory processing; vivid imagery; feeling suspended of floating; time dilation; synesthesia (a mingling of the senses); a feeling of time distortion or loss. Working on ‘hard things’, in the therapeutic environment is often, well, hard. KAP was created to assist with the objective of supporting the client in going deeper into the ‘harder things’. Sometimes this may result in experiences that may be upsetting or uncomfortable. Good news, even uncomfortable experiences can yield value to the process. Establishing and maintaining trust in the therapeutic environment, Dr. Sebastian, and your mental health clinician(s) will tremendously help with this. Please rest assure that if you do begin to have a negative experience, your practitioner will assist in re-establishing stability. Working with a mental health clinician, will also provide support in lessening the chances of having a negative experience.
Every experience is unique. No experience will be the same. If you choose this journey, it is important that you trust the team around you and that you are ready to lean into the path that will unfold. Allow what needs to surface to do so, good or bad. Know that it is all part of the healing process that many have successfully walked before you, and you can too.
What are potential side effects?
slurred speech
mental confusion
elevated blood pressure
blurred vision
nausea
vomiting
If you begin to experience ay negative symptoms, your practitioner will be available to support.
Can I Drive After My KAP Session?
No. Please plan to not engage in driving, operating machinery, caring for others, or signing any important documents until the following morning. Please arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you for the remainder of the day.
What Are the Benefits of Ketamine?
Ketamine can help influence mindset while enhancing multiple neuropathways in your brain
Combining the drug with a psychotherapy session can promote powerful positive shifts in mood
The treatment is safe, controlled and easily administered
Improved enjoyment of life and connections
All treatment is customized for each client
When Can I Expect Results?
While no outcome can be guaranteed, long term improvement is typically experienced with more than one administration and when a program is followed. Most begin to feel relief after the first session.
How Long Will the Benefits Last?
KAP may not permanently relieve you of your symptoms. If you do not experience a change after one administration, up to 8 more may be administered. If you do not experience relief, after 8 administrations of Ketamine, Ketamine may not be an effective treatment approach for you. If your symptoms respond to Ketamine, you may also choose to be treated with medications (if needed) and it is highly recommended that you continue to engage in psychotherapy. Over time, some will require “boosters” of Ketamine to maintain success and avoid recurrence.
What is the difference between KAP and Spravato?
Spravato is a nasal spray that has been approved by the FDA and is covered by some insurances. Spravato is similar to Ketamine, but has been slightly altered, allowing it to pass trials and become FDA approved. Spravato has strict protocols that must be met before use can be approved. This includes failed attempts at anti-depressants and a different method of approach during the administration sessions. At this time, BFCW does not provide Spravato in our program.
Are you ready to begin your journey with KAP? If so, please use this link to schedule a time to speak with our team.
For pricing of our program, please click here.
To read more about the new Good Faith Estimate and Surprise/Balance Billing disclosures, for private pay clients, please click here.
