Elizabeth Cruz Counseling, PLLC
Elizabeth Cruz Counseling, PLLC
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) 101
I offer a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in partnership with an organization called Journey Clinical.​​
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 Journey Clinical’s medical team 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 medication used to address various mental health issues, such as depression anxiety, and PTSD.
Its rapid antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects can start within 1-2 hours after treatment and may last for up to two weeks.
The medication functions by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain and stimulating AMPA receptors, which are believed to aid in forming new synaptic connections and enhancing neural circuits that manage stress and mood. Additionally, Ketamine has been shown to improve overall neuroplasticity for lasting symptom relief.
Ketamine can be administered through several methods. In my practice with Journey Clinical, we exclusively use the sublingual lozenge form.
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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.
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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 Journey Clinical
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You schedule an initial evaluation with a clinician from the Journey Clinical medical team via zoom. They will go over your medical and psychiatric history with you, provide education on the treatment and determine if you are eligible for KAP.
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If Journey Clinical’s medical team determines that you are eligible for KAP, they will develop a personalized Ketamine prescription and outcome monitoring plan for you.
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Journey Clinical’s medical staff will write a ketamine prescription for you, and a small amount of oral ketamine will be sent to your home, enough for the first 2 KAP sessions. You will be taught to take your vitals and self-administer the ketamine lozenges by Journey Clinical’s medical team in advance of our KAP sessions.
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2. Preparation sessions:
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Once you receive your ketamine lozenges, we will schedule time together for our KAP preparation, dosing and integration 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.
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3. KAP Dosing Session:
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A typical ketamine dosing session lasts between 1-2 hours and can take place either in-person at my office, or remotely via tele health.
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During a dosing session, 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 a KAP dosing session may be largely an internal experience, I will be present with you the entire time to hold space and provide support as needed.
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4. Integration Sessions:
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After our KAP dosing session, we will meet for multiple integration therapy sessions to review the memories, thoughts & insights that arose during your dosing session, and to prepare for the next dosing session.
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5. Follow-up consultations with Journey Clinical:
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After our first KAP session, Journey Clinical’s medical team schedules regular follow ups with you to monitor outcomes and prescribe ketamine lozenge refills, as appropriate. The frequency of follow ups depends on your unique treatment plan, at a minimum of once per quarter.
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What is the Cost of Treatment?
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Journey Clinical Medical Costs
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â– First-time patients
Initial medical consultation with Journey Clinical: $250
Cost of medication: $85 (enough for 2 sessions)
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â– Ongoing treatment
Follow-up medical consultation with Journey Clinical $150 (at least 1x per quarter)
Cost of medication: $145 (enough for up to 6 sessions)
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Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Costs (Cost of My Sessions)
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Rates for non-dosing sessions are the standard individual rate of $150 per hour. If I accept your insurance then you can use your insurance for the non-dosing sessions.
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Rates for the dosing session is $450 (3 hours)
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Dosing sessions take place during my work hours
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Tuesday-Thursday 10-5pm
Friday 10-1 or 1- 4 pm*
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*I only see clients who are doing a dosing session on Fridays.
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How Do I Sign Up?
If you would like to explore the possibility of working with me on KAP, please e-mail me at info@elizabethcruzcounseling.com to discuss eligibility and next steps.
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For more information email me at info@elizabethcruzcounseling.com