Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) 101
I offer a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in partnership with Dr. Nicole Lewis, ND at Heart Spring Health.
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 Dr. Lewis supports you on all medical aspects. This includes determining eligibility, developing a custom treatment plan, prescribing the medicine and monitoring outcomes. Below is more information about KAP to help you navigate 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 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 Dr. Lewis, we only use the sublingual lozenge form.
How Does Ketamine Feel?
● The effects of ketamine, which most patients find pleasant, last for 45-60 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 you’ll be lying down in a comfortable position during the experience. 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?
1. Initial Consultation with Erin Needham, LPC
To begin, you can schedule a free 30 minute video consultation with me to ensure that we are a good fit to work together. I offer 2 pathways to KAP:
● Ongoing Psychotherapy with KAP: For clients seeking ongoing psychotherapy with me that includes KAP.
● Adjunct KAP: For individuals with an existing therapist. If a good fit is determined, I will consult with your ongoing therapist regarding your suitability for KAP.
2. Assessment with Erin Needham, LPC
● We will go over your presenting concerns, what you would like to address through KAP, your developmental history, provide education on the treatment, and assess if you are a good candidate for KAP.
3. Medical Intake with Dr. Nicole Lewis, ND at Heart Spring Health
● Dr. Lewis, ND provides a comprehensive and holistic medical assessment, assesses your psychiatric history, provides education, and determines if you are eligible for KAP.
● If Dr. Lewis, ND determines that you are eligible for KAP, she will develop a personalized Ketamine prescription for you, and a small amount of ketamine will be shipped to your home, enough for the first 2-3 KAP dosing sessions.
4. Preparation Sessions with Erin Needham, LPC
● 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.
5. KAP Dosing Sessions with Erin Needhham, LPC
● A KAP dosing session lasts 3 hours and can take place either in-person at my office, or remotely via telehealth. For the first 45 minutes or so we are discussing your intention and what you are bringing to the medicine. We then move into taking the medicine. You will self-administer your ketamine lozenge either in my office or in your home. You will be in a comfortable, reclining position wearing an eye mask and listening to calming music. Although the peak of the KAP experience may be largely an internal experience, I will be present with you the entire time to hold space and provide support as needed. The peak of the journey lasts from 45-60 minutes. Typically individuals will emerge after the peak experience subsides and engage with me during the last 45-60 minutes. I assist in helping you more deeply integrate your medicine experience.
6. Integration Sessions with Erin Needham, LPC
● Within 24 hours of the KAP dosing session, we meet for an integration session while your brain is still in a heightened neuroplastic window. We review the memories, thoughts, and insights that arose during your dosing session to help you more deeply internalize your experience and incorporate it into your daily life.
7. Follow-up consultations with Dr Nicole Lewis, ND
● After our first 2-3 KAP sessions, you will follow up with an appointment with Dr. Lewis, ND to monitor outcomes and prescribe ketamine lozenge refills, as appropriate.