Ketamine-Assisted-Psychotherapy (KAP)

KAP is the use of ketamine as a complement to psychotherapy and is offered virtually by Dr. Nikki.

KAP is not universally suitable and is only available through our practice to individuals who are 18 years and older, residing in New Jersey, New York, and Florida.

 

WHAT IS KAP?

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a holistic modality in which Ketamine is used as a complement to psychotherapy to help individuals experience more frequent breakthroughs and sustained improvement in symptoms. Dr. Nikki takes 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 Ketamine, and monitoring outcomes.

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 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, nasal spray, and using sublingual lozenges. In Dr. Nikki’s work with Journey Clinical only the sublingual lozenge form is used.

How does ketamine feel?

The effects of Ketamine, which most individuals 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. 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, Dr. Nikki will spend the remainder of your appointment giving you space to process and discuss your experience. While it may feel hard to articulate what happened during the experience, individuals often feel like the insights gained are nonetheless clear. Studies have shown that the benefits to mood and neurological growth can last up to two weeks after the Ketamine experience.

what symptoms and diagnoses benefit from kap?

KAP has been found to be beneficial with the following symptoms and diagnoses. This list is not exhaustive and Dr. Nikki does not provide KAP for conditions marked *.

  • Anxiety & OCD

  • Depression & Bipolar

  • Trauma & Adjustment Disorders

  • Eating Disorders* & Addiction*

  • Relationship & Existential Issues

Can I participate in KAP while taking other medication(s)?

We recommend talking to the medical team at Journey Clinical regarding your current medications. Their prescribers will be able to assist you with any questions, concerns, or modifications that may need to be made in order to participate in KAP. It is important to be honest about any and all medications (including vitamins and supplements) that you may be taking.

will my out-of-network benefits cover kap sessions?

It depends on your insurance coverage. Most KAP treatments are reimbursable with out-of-network benefits. The intake, psychotherapy, prep, dosing, and integrations with Dr. Nikki will all be included in superbills that you can submit to your insurance for any OON benefits you might have.

 The medical clearance intake and follow-up sessions (minimum of once each quarter) by Journey Clinical are reimbursable through OON benefits. The cost of the ketamine lozenges is not typically covered by insurance. The medical clearance, follow-up sessions, and lozenges costs are not associated with Dr. Nikki or the practice and are billed separately.

*As required by law, a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) will be provided prior to KAP.

what is the cost of kap?

There are several parts to KAP. We encourage anyone interested in KAP to reach out to the office directly with any questions. A breakdown of each step and corresponding fee can be found below.

  • Required of all new patients and completed by Dr. Nikki.

    60 minutes / $300

  • At least 3 psychotherapy sessions with Dr. Nikki are required prior to a KAP referral to Journey Clinical.

    45 minutes each / $200 each

  • Completed and billed by Journey Clinical. If it is determined that you would be a good fit for KAP, a treatment plan, dosing, and prescription will be sent to you.

    60 minutes / $250+ additional cost for Ketamine lozenges

  • Completed by Dr. Nikki prior to all dosing sessions. This allows us to determine your intentions for the dosing sessions, review safety protocols, consent, and how to set up the room for the dosing session.

    45 minutes / $200

  • Individuals will self-administer the prescribed Ketamine lozenge while in a safe and comfortable location in their home. Eye masks, music, dimmed lighting, and being in a reclining position are all things you can expect in these sessions. Dosing sessions are largely an internal experience, and Dr. Nikki will be present with you the entire time to hold space and provide support through the process.

    3 hours / $600

  • Individuals will complete at least 2 integration sessions with Dr. Nikki. The purpose of these sessions is to review the experience, memories, insight, and feelings that were experienced during the dosing session.

    45 minutes each / $200 each

  • Completed and billed by Journey Clinical. The frequency of the follow-ups depends on your treatment plan, and are required at least once per quarter.

    30 minutes / $150

Depending on your treatment plan and KAP experience and intentions, steps 4-7 can be repeated every 2-6 weeks.