Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
Transformational treatment combining medically supervised ketamine
with structured, specialized psychotherapy
What is Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)?
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a structured therapeutic approach that uses Ketamine, prescribed by a licensed medical provider, alongside psychotherapy.
Ketamine works on the brain differently than traditional medications, as it can temporarily increase neuroplasticity, making the brain more easily changeable on the physical and chemical level. This biological shift makes it much easier to modify rigid, long standing behavioral and even personality patterns. People may access emotions, memories, and perspectives that feel “stuck” in traditional talk therapy. Unlike many prescription medications for depression, such as Lexapro or Zoloft, Ketamine is used as a very short term intervention rather than on a daily, long term basis.
In brief, a client seeking KAP treatment has a medical evaluation with a provider who prescribes the Ketamine in the form of oral lozenges. After receiving the medication, the client meets with a KAP-certified therapist for a series of visits. During two or more of those visits, the client comfortably takes the Ketamine under the supervision of the therapist. The therapist monitors and guides the client during these sessions. Following each of these sessions is a discussion with the therapist about what the client has experienced and discovered within themselves, and how to integrate those insights into their lives.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy can lead to lasting psychological change. It can reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma, especially for individuals who have not found relief through traditional therapy or medication. KAP is known to help those who struggle with persistent suicidality as well. Many clients experience an increased ability to process difficult emotions and gain meaningful insight into long-standing patterns. The treatment can support greater cognitive flexibility, allowing for new perspectives and ways of thinking to emerge. Some individuals notice relatively rapid improvements in mood and outlook, while others find that KAP deepens and accelerates the work already being done in psychotherapy.
What does the KAP process look like?
1. Education & Evaluation
We begin with a comprehensive intake and education session. During this time, our KAP-trained psychotherapist will review your mental health history, current symptoms, medical considerations, and goals for treatment. You’ll also learn how Ketamine works, what to expect during sessions, how to prepare, and have the opportunity to ask questions.
If you are already in an ongoing therapy, our KAP clinician will reach out to your therapist with your consent and discuss the purpose for adding KAP to your treatment and the ways it can enhance it.
This first phase ensures that KAP is appropriate and safe for you, and gives you a clear understanding of the process before moving forward. If KAP appears to be a good fit, the clinician will provide a referral to a licensed medical provider through Journey Clinical who will conduct a separate evaluation to determine medical eligibility and, if appropriate, prescribe Ketamine. This ensures that all medication decisions are made under proper medical supervision. You will meet with this provider via telehealth.
2. Preparation (1-3 Sessions)
Preparation sessions focus on building a strong therapeutic foundation. Together, we clarify your intentions, explore themes you’d like to work on, and develop grounding and regulation tools. We also discuss mindset, expectations, and how to navigate the Ketamine experience. This step is essential and clients who engage in thoughtful preparation tend to have more meaningful and impactful experiences.
3. Dosing Sessions (2–3 hours each, spaced ~1–2 weeks apart)
During a dosing session, Ketamine is taken in a safe and supportive setting, under the direction and supervision of the therapist. You’ll be encouraged to rest inwardly, often with eyeshades and meditative music, while the therapist remains present to support you. It is advised to wear loose clothing and bring a blanket and pillow for a comfortable experience. The experience may include shifts in perception, emotional release, or new insights. These sessions are intentionally spaced 1-2 weeks apart to allow time for reflection and integration between experiences.
4. Integration Sessions (45–60 minutes, typically within 24–72 hours after dosing)
Integration sessions are when the experience becomes meaningful change. Soon after each dosing session, we meet to process what came up emotionally, psychologically, and somatically. Together, we explore insights, make connections to your daily life, and begin translating the experience into actionable shifts in behavior, perspective, and self-understanding.
This three-step process of preparation, experience, and integration can be repeated over a series of sessions, allowing the work to deepen over time. Each phase builds on the last, creating a structured yet flexible pathway toward healing and lasting change.
What conditions does KAP help with?
KAP may be appropriate for individuals experiencing:
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Depression (including treatment-resistant)
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Anxiety or chronic stress
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PTSD or complex trauma
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Burnout or emotional numbness
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OCD or rigid thinking patterns
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Major life transitions or existential distress
We determine fit based on your medical history, goals, and safety considerations.
How much does KAP cost? Will my insurance cover it?
The medical evaluation conducted by Journey Clinical is covered by most insurances. Without insurance, Journey charges $250 for the initial evaluation and $150 for the following ongoing appointments.
The cost of Ketamine medication itself is separate from the evaluation and therapy services and is typically modest. Based on Journey Clinical’s pricing model, medication generally averages approximately $50–$100 per dose depending on your individualized prescription and treatment plan. Medication costs are not typically covered by insurance.
The rest of the treatment occurs at IPG. Being that we are an in-network provider with most insurances, much of your KAP treatment will be covered as it covers regular psychotherapy. However, the sessions during which the Ketamine is actually taken are not covered by insurance.
Specifically, the Preparation visits (before the Dosing session) and Integration visits (after the Dosing session) can be billed under your insurance like a standard psychotherapy session which would be subject to your usual co-pay or coinsurance, based on your insurance plan. The Dosing session, or the session in which a person actually takes the ketamine and lasts 2-3 hours, costs $450.
While 6 to 8 dosing sessions is the standard recommended treatment, many individuals may find that one or two dosing sessions brings them the desired results. You and the therapist will discuss how you want to proceed after your first dosing session has taken place.
Can KAP be done in conjunction with my current psychotherapy?
Clients who are currently engaged in routine psychotherapy use Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy to enhance or deepen their existing work with their therapist.
Client may choose to either pause treatment with their current therapist or continue while they engage in KAP. Your KAP provider will need consent to speak with your other therapist in either case to ensure the best care possible. KAP typically includes a preparation, dosing, and integration session in the same week or two, so an additional psychotherapy session may not be needed during that particular time. KAP dosing sessions are also 2 weeks apart so some clients may choose to meet with their other therapist in between, or not. In short, it will be up to you and your current therapist.
What is the medical evaluation for?
Your Ketamine journey starts with a referral to a medical provider for an evaluation. We partner with the professionals at Journey Clinical for this purpose. The comprehensive evaluation includes a review of your medical and psychiatric history, education about Ketamine treatment, and a determination of whether KAP is appropriate for you.
If deemed appropriate, the Ketamine is prescribed and shipped to the client’s house. The cost of the medication is separate from medical evaluation and therapy services and is typically modest. Based on Journey Clinical’s pricing model, medication generally averages approximately $50–$100 per dose, depending on your individualized prescription and treatment plan. Medication costs are not typically covered by insurance.
If you are not deemed eligible, you will receive a full refund for this initial evaluation, so there is no financial risk in exploring whether this treatment is a good fit.
Can KAP be used as a stand-alone treatment?
Yes, Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy is often used as a stand-alone treatment for Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, “burnout” or emotional numbness, and more. When KAP is used by itself, a full course of 6-8 treatments is usually recommended. Each “treatment” includes a Dosing session and an Integration session. KAP incorporates this highly specialized form of Psychotherapy, as opposed to ordinary Ketamine treatments which rely on the infusions alone.
Laura DiCarlo, LPC
Laura is a licensed professional counselor who earned her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Fairleigh Dickinson University and offers psychotherapy to children, teens and adults. Prior to IPG, Laura had worked extensively with children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral issues in both outpatient and residedtial treatment centers. She is also trained in both Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP).
Laura’s area of specialization is complex trauma and Post Traumatic Stress syndromes. As an attachment-focused therapist who helps people to understand how early experiences contribute to current patterns, Laura helps clients achieve personal insight accompanied by a durable sense of felt change and getting “unstuck”. Her goal is to facilitate neuroplasticity (actual brain change) for the traumatized nervous system that is experienced through real symptom relief in daily life.