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 hours 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 we most commonly use the sublingual lozenge form.

The acute effects of ketamine, which most patients find pleasant, last for approximately 45-65 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 acute effects subside, we’ll spend the remainder of our appointment giving you space to process and discuss your experience, this is called the initial integration period. 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.

In KAP, we partner with this unique psychedelic medicine in the therapy work. Using the period of enhanced neuroplasticity to reinforce positive habits, access greater ease and self compassion, and interrupt beliefs and behaviors that may be keeping you stuck in survival-mode. You can learn more about the benefits of KAP in this blog post, "Slow Down, Sense Inward & Find Healing with Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy"

At Intentions Therapy, we offer both in-person and virtual (Remote KAP) sessions to best suit your needs.

In-person KAP sessions are available within the Chicagoland area. I provide services in the comfort of your home, with an additional $50 fee for transportation.

Virtual KAP sessions require an in-person chaperone to ensure your safety and provide a supportive environment during the therapy.

This flexibility allows me to provide personalized and accessible care to my clients in both Florida and Illinois. I encourage clients to choose the most convenient and comfortable option for your KAP journey.

You can review the chaperone guidelines on Journey Clinical’s website to learn more about the support needed to engage in virtual (or remote) KAP sessions.

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.

Journey Clinical Medical Costs:

First-time patients:

- Initial medical consultation with Journey Clinical: $250

- Cost of medication: $88 (enough for 2 dosing sessions)

Ongoing treatment:

- Follow-up medical consultation with Journey Clinical $150 (at least 1X per quarter)

- Cost of medication: $148 (enough for up to 6 sessions)

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Costs:

• Preparation and Integration Sessions are scheduled for an hour. These sessions are billed at my typical hourly rate of $200/hour

• Dosing Sessions are scheduled for 3 hours. My hourly rate for dosing sessions is $150/hour

In-home sessions are available in the Chicagoland area, if you are pursuing KAP and would like to meet in person within your home, there is an additional fee of $50 for my time spent commuting.

Intentions Therapy operates using an anti-oppressive sliding scale fee structure with several different fee tiers for therapy sessions with me. I offer a wide sliding scale as an effort to distribute services and resources equitably among the population that I serve. I have limited sliding scale availability in my practice, and I prioritize trans and gender non-conforming BIPOC individuals as well as QTBIPOC therapists and care workers. Sliding scale spots are for clients who would not be able to afford my full price rates.

Sliding Scale Rates for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Services:

Redistribution - $225/hour for prep & integration sessions $180/hour for medicine sessions

Full Cost - $200/hour for prep & integration sessions $150/hour for medicine sessions

Sustain - $175 for prep & integration sessions $125/hour for medicine sessions

Solidarity - $150 for prep & integration sessions $105/hour for medicine sessions

Reparations - $100-125 for prep & integration sessions $75-90/hour for medicine sessions

Self Assessment & Determining Your Rate

Respond to the following prompts with 'Yes' or 'No', and count the number of times that you answered 'Yes'. Use the guide below to locate your fee on my sliding scale.

• Are you and/or your family homeowners or landowners?

• Have you (or could you have) attended college and/or graduate school?

• Are your bills or credit cards on autopay? Or are you able to make minimum payments on bills and credit cards?

• Do you have access to family money and resources in times of need? Do you have a safety net composed of “financially stable” or wealthy family and friends?

• Have you been able to easily access and afford healthcare or health insurance for you or your family members?

• Do you have zero to no debt and/or do you have disposable income?

• Do you pay other practitioners full price?

• Do you have U.S. Citizenship?

• Does your income only support you, and not other loved ones?

• Have you or do you expect to inherit money or property?

• Do you travel recreationally? Or regularly treat yourself to meals out, new clothes, and outings?

• Do you have high earning power (even if you aren't using it right now) from college degree(s), being able-bodied, or due to race, gender, social networks, and family connections.

If you answered all yes - Redistribution

If you answered almost all yes - Full Cost

If you answered more yes than no - Sustain

If you answered more no than yes - Solidarity

If you answered almost all no - Reparations

These reflection prompts are adapted and expanded from AORTA (Anti-Oppression Resource and Training Center). This self assessment is meant to be a guide, not a rule.

A great place to get started:

Read my blog "Slow Down, Sense Inward & Find Healing with Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy"

Journey Clinical offers a KAP 101 webpage with tons of introductory information.

Here are a few introductory resources:

• What is ketamine-assisted psychotherapy? (article)

• Science behind ketamine and the brain (video)

• The impact KAP has had in real people's lives (video)

Further Listening about Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy:

• Andrew Huberman's 90 minute podcast into how KAP works (podcast & video)

• Interview with Lauren Taus on how psychedelics are changing therapy (video)

• Further personal experiences of some who tried ketamine (video playlist)

Here are a few resources to explore the research and clinical benefits of KAP:

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

If you would like to explore the possibility of working with me on KAP, please reach out directly using this contact form to discuss eligibility and next steps.