What is KAP?

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Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a holistic modality in which a very small amount of ketamine is used as a complement to psychotherapy to help eligible patients experience more frequent breakthroughs and sustained improvement in symptoms. 

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I have been training for months to be able to learn as much as possible about KAP, so that I can offer this therapeutic modality for clients who may have not been able to reach their therapeutic goals with traditional therapy sessions.  In partnership with an organization called Journey Clinical, the KAP approach can be incredibly effective for people who have not had success in other forms of therapy.  Clients also begin to notice very significant changes in their life in a very short period of time, even though KAP is a rather simple approach to therapy.

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 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. 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 with Journey Clinical we only use the sublingual lozenge form.

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.

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How Does Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Work?

 

1. Initial consultation with Journey Clinical

●  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.

●  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.

●  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

● 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, 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 Journey Clinical

● 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.

Follow-up Consultations with Journey Clinical:

● 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 KAP Treatment?

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● Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is an affordable, accessible modality. Although the medical intake and follow ups are not covered by insurance, the appointments are eligible for out-of-network reimbursement.  We can provide all of our clients with an insurance reimbursement form that is ready to send to insurance for whatever type of reimbursement is specified in your particular insurance plan.

○ Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy: 

● The typical hourly rate for traditional therapy is $185, per one-hour session.  However, I am always willing to negotiate a reduced fee, or a sliding scale, for any clients who are interested in KAP. This allows me to be able to offer KAP to help more people, while also trying to minimize the financial burden of treatment for my clients. 

 

Journey Clinical Medical Costs:

 

      First-time patients:

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●  Initial medical consultation with Journey Clinical: $250

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

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      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)

 

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How Do I Sign Up?

 

● If you have any questions about KAP, or if you would like to explore the possibility of working with me on KAP, please e-mail me anytime at: DrNeilMonette@Gmail.com

I’m always more than happy to answer any questions you may have, discuss with you who may be eligible, and also talk more about what the next steps could look like!

● You can also call or text me anytime on my cell phone at: (404) 997-2127

What is Journey Clinical?

● Journey Clinical is a platform for licensed psychotherapists to incorporate science-based psychedelic therapies in their practice safely and effectively, starting with Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). Journey Clinical’s in-house medical team takes on patient eligibility, prescriptions and outcome monitoring, while I take on the therapy. Their collaborative care model is designed to deliver personalized treatment plans to meet your individual needs and improve long-term outcomes.

 

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