Ketamine

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) 101

I offer a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in partnership with Colorado and Hawaii based prescribers.

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 your psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner 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.

‍

How Does Ketamine Feel?

The effects of ketamine, which most patients find pleasant, last for approximately 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 a Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

You schedule an initial evaluation with a prescriber via telehealth or in person. 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 your prescriber determines that you are eligible for KAP, they will develop a personalized Ketamine prescription and outcome monitoring plan for you.
Your prescriber will write a ketamine prescription for you. You will be taught to take your vitals and self-administer the ketamine lozenges in advance of our KAP sessions.

2. Preparation sessions:

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.

3. KAP Dosing Session:

A typical ketamine dosing session lasts between 1-2 hours and can take place either in-person at my office in Boulder, Colorado, or remotely via telehealth.
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.

4. Integration Sessions: ‍

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.

5. Follow-up consultations with your prescriber:

After our first KAP session, your prescriber schedule 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.

What is the Cost of Treatment?

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

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy:

My typical hourly rate is $185/hr. For a 3 hour KAP session the cost is $450.
The cost of meeting with your psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner is to be determined by them.

How Do I Sign Up?

If you would like to explore the possibility of working with me on KAP, please e-mail me at brittni@brittnibrooks.com to discuss eligibility and next steps.

‍

Helpful Resources:

‍