Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
(Scroll down for Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy)
As a harm reduction therapist, I believe that people use substances for a reason—whether it's for exploration, healing, coping, or connection. My role is to support individuals in developing self-awareness and insight around their substance use, understanding both the benefits and the potential consequences. Together, we work to integrate lessons from these experiences, reduce associated risks, and foster meaningful personal growth.
I offer preparation and integration support for those exploring psychedelics such as mushrooms, LSD, MDMA, Ayhauasca and other substances. While I do not facilitate or promote the use of these substances, I am here to provide a safe and nonjudgmental space for clients navigating their unique journeys. This may include exploring intentions, reflecting on psychedelic experiences, or addressing the emotional and psychological insights gained on their journey.
With a deep commitment to harm reduction principles, I bring years of experience working with a diverse demographic throughout the Bay Area and Southern California. I’ve supported individuals from various walks of life in reducing risks and maximizing the benefits of substance use while holding space for their stories and resilience. Whether you’re seeking support for a single experience or ongoing integration, my goal is to meet you where you are and help you move toward greater clarity and well-being.
What is Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is a therapeutic process that incorporates the use of psychedelic substances to facilitate healing and personal growth. While I do not provide or promote the use of these substances, I support individuals in preparing for and integrating their experiences. This process often involves setting intentions, understanding the context of their journey, and making sense of insights or emotions that arise during and after the experience.
What is Harm Reduction?
Harm reduction is an approach that prioritizes safety, respect, and individual autonomy. It acknowledges that substance use is a part of our world and seeks to minimize its negative effects rather than ignoring or condemning it. By meeting people where they are in their journey, harm reduction empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their use and explore ways to enhance their well-being.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
(KAP)
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I offer a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)
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 a medical team supports you on all medical aspects. This includes determining eligibility, developing a 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 (IM) , via nasal spray and using sublingual lozenges. Curently I offer psychotherapy for those taking sublingual lozenge, along with preparation and integration sessions for individuals who prefer IV or IM.
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. 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.
FAQ
How Does Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Work at YMRL?
1. Once you and I have an initial intake, I will refer you to a medical team (Humboldt Center for New Growth) for an initial consultation.
● You schedule an initial evaluation with a clinician from their 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.
● If the medical team determines that you are eligible for KAP, they will develop a personalized Ketamine prescription and outcome monitoring plan for you.
● 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 the medical team 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 1-3 hours and can take place either in-person at my office, 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 Humboldt Center for New Growth:
● After our first KAP session, the 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.
6. What is the Cost of Treatment?
● Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is not always an affordable and accessible modality for marginalized community members, which is why I offer a sliding scale and scholarship fund (buy me a coffee to support access to BIPOC folk and marginalized identities). I accept insurance, which covers preparation and integration. I am also happy to provide a superbill for out of network coverage.
● For Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
My typical hourly rate is $130-$200 (sliding scale)
Coaching is also available at a reduced cost
7. How Do I Sign Up?
● If you would like to explore the possibility of working with me on KAP, please e-mail me at ymrl.lcsw@gmail.com to discuss eligibility and next steps.
Helpful Resources:
1. Paradigms of Ketamine Treatment by RaquelBennett, Psy.D. for MAPS
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