IN PERSON NEAR ORLANDO AND ONLINE ACROSS FL & SC
KETAMINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY
(KAP) & INTEGRATION
Break through barriers keeping you from your DREAM relationships
KAP is used an adjunct to psychotherapy to enhance the benefits of the medicine.
I use Ketamine combined with therapy treatment as a tool rather than the primary aspect of treatment so we you can tap into the benefits (like the neuroplasticity window) to create lasting changes in your negative patterns.
Ketamine is effective treatment for relational issues as well as anxiety and post-traumatic stress. It has a rapid antidepressant and mood enhancing effect, which can last up to 2 weeks
Ketamine works as a dissociative anesthetic under the umbrella of psychedelics
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Ketamine is widely used in hospital settings across the world and as a procedural anesthetic. This provides pain relief, sedation, and even amnesia. At higher levels, it becomes a psychedelic.
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It was first synthesized in the 1960s and was FDA approved for that kind of anesthesia since the early 1970s. In the 80s and 90s, doctors started noticing Ketamine’s inherent antidepressant effect and research was off and running!
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By 2019, a version of Ketamine called S Ketamine was approved by the FDA for treatment resistant depression.
Types of Ketamine treatments
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Delivered directly into the bloodstream through an intravenous drip.
IV clinics don't typically specialize in mental health (usually have pain specialist or anesthesia as the operator) so the experience of those can be different as there isn't usually psychotherapy involved.
Advantages:
Rapid Onset: Effects are typically felt within minutes.
High Bioavailability: Nearly 100%, ensuring the full dose reaches the bloodstream.
Controlled Dosing: Allows for precise control over dosage and can be adjusted quickly if necessary.
Disadvantages:
Invasiveness: Requires insertion of an IV line, which can be uncomfortable and may cause anxiety in some patients.
Clinical Setting: Typically needs to be administered in a medical facility, requiring professional supervision.
Cost: Generally more expensive due to the need for medical personnel and equipment.
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Injected directly into a muscle, usually in the upper arm or thigh.
Advantages:
Rapid Onset: Effects begin within 5-10 minutes, slightly slower than IV but still fast.
Ease of Administration: Does not require IV access, making it less invasive.
Portability: Can be administered in more settings compared to IV.
Disadvantages:
Moderate Bioavailability: Lower than IV, around 90-95%, as some of the drug is metabolized before reaching the bloodstream.
Pain at Injection Site: Can be uncomfortable and may cause soreness.
Still not a affordable as nasal or oral routes of administration
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Administered through a nasal spray.
Advantages:
Ease of Use: Non-invasive and can be self-administered in some cases.
Rapid Onset: Effects can be felt within 15-20 minutes.
Convenience: Does not require needles or clinical supervision, though initial doses are often given under medical supervision.
Some insurances cover this route of treatment
Disadvantages:
Variable Absorption: Bioavailability is lower and can vary between 25-50%, leading to less predictable dosing.
Nasal Irritation: Can cause discomfort or irritation in the nasal passages.
Less Controlled Dosing: Harder to control the exact dosage compared to IV or IM routes.
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Taken by mouth, usually in the form of a liquid, rapid dissolving tablet (RDT), or lozenge.
Advantages:
Ease of Administration: Non-invasive and can be taken at home, making it highly convenient.
Disadvantages:
Slower Onset: Effects can take 10-25 minutes to begin, slower compared to other methods.
Low Bioavailability: Significantly lower than other routes (around 20%), meaning a higher dose is needed to achieve the same effects.
First-pass Metabolism: Metabolized in the liver, reducing the amount of active drug reaching the bloodstream.
I collaborate care with a medical team who prescribe oral tablets but I also partner with facilities/offer preparation and integration sessions for other routes of administration.
The difference in Ketamine vs. other traditional psychedelics
Relatively Quick Onset + Short Journey
Onset takes about 10 minutes for oral Ketamine vs 20-45 minutes with other psychedelics.
The lasting effects of the Ketamine experience is around 45-75 minutes (compared to 5-6 hours with MDMA).
*This makes it easier to come in for a shorter time period to dose rather than spending a whole day in treatment if time is limited in your schedule*
Dissociation Effect on Body
Your mind is all of a sudden “far from” your body. You're kind of in a floating or dreamlike state that is very specific to Ketamine. This usually facilitates shifts in perception that can often feel expansive in nature.
Other psychedelics act on different neurotransmitters and receptors in the brain creating heightened oxytocin levels or the “love hormone.”
Why Choose At Home Ketamine Treatment?
Ketamine is NOT a magic pill to achieving your goals
Rather, KAP helps you develop a new relationship to your mind / parts / symptoms that are plaguing you.
Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy Medical Partnerships
I offer a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in partnership with several organizations called Journey Clinical, Wondermed, Rewired Ketamine, and Isha Health.
I offer psychedelic therapy as a complement to psychotherapy to help eligible clients experience more frequent breakthroughs and sustained improvement in symptoms.
I take on the psychotherapy portion of the experience, while the medical team supports you on all medical aspects. This includes:
determining eligibility,
developing a custom treatment plan,
prescribing the ketamine lozenge medicine,
and supports me in monitoring outcomes for you.
~ KAP FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
~ KAP FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Thank You Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on a mission to revolutionize mental healthcare
They want to help the world heal by eliminating the financial barriers to ketamine assisted therapy.
Thank You Life has graciously created a fund for my practice to offset the cost of this life-changing treatment for clients in need, helping bring ketamine assisted therapy to those who cannot afford it on their own.
You can also send this page to anyone who may be able to donate to those in need. Don’t forget that donations can be written off your taxes since they are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
How to begin Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy treatment
MEDICAL JOURNEY
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I will refer you to the medical provider as discussed in our consultation via email
You will schedule an appointment with the medical team to assess your KAP eligibility / psychiatric medical clearance for treatment
WHAT IF I’M NOT ELIGIBLE? You will receive a refund from Journey clinical for your medical evaluation if you are not cleared for treatment
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Complete forms about consent to treatment, your medical, and psychiatric history
Attend your appointment and review eligibility, discuss any concerns, receive KAP education, review what medications to continue as scheduled and which ones to hold off on (if applicable) with medical provider
If eligible for KAP, your medical provider will give you a personalized treatment plan
Your treatment plan includes your vitals (taken with blood pressure cuff), your medication dosage, and frequency of dosing session.
Your treatment plan is then emailed to you with instructions on taking medication
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You will receive your sublingual ketamine mailed to your home
These arrive as rapidly dissolving tablets (enough for 2 dosing sessions after initial medical evaluation)
THERAPEUTIC PREPARATION
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Complete personalized KAP Workbook BEFORE this appointment
Choose your personalized KAP experience & payment structure
Choose your desired treatment:
Individual, Couples, or Group retreat style
You may also add on an ART intensive for an additional session fee or in lieu of an extended integration session
In-Person, Remote, or Self-Guided
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Review Informed Consent
Review completed KAP workbook
Discuss any concerns, fears, or anxiety about KAP
Review Chaperone Procedures
Schedule preparation, dosing session, and integration session
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This will be a talk therapy session guided by your completed KAP workbook to set intentions, set expectations, create a mindful set and setting, and safety protocols
Scheduled 1-2 weeks before your first KAP dosing session
Setting intentions
*NEW CLIENTS WILL MEET WITH THERAPIST FOR A MINIMUM OF 4 PREPARATION SESSIONS UNLESS REFERRED BY PRIMARY THERAPIST *
DOSING JOURNEY & INTEGRATION
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Scheduled in a 3-Hour block between the hours of 9am and 7pm
Self administer vitals and prescribed dosing of oral ketamine tablet
You’ll be in a comfortable, reclining position wearing an eye mask and listening to specifically curated music to help guide your journey.
Although a KAP dosing session may be largely an internal experience, I’ll be present with you the entire time to hold space and provide support as needed.
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45 minutes - Welcome, housekeeping, check-in, administer vitals
15 minutes - Getting comfortable
75 minutes - Ketamine Journey
45 minutes - Initial discussion of experience, final vital check, closing, & next steps
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During this time together, we’ll review the memories, thoughts, and insights that arose during your dosing session, and prepare for the next dosing session.
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You’ll schedule a 30 minute follow up consultation with medical team for prescription refill, adjustments to your treatment plan as needed, and outcome monitoring.
*REMOTE / SELF-GUIDED KAP CLIENTS*
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In the context of ketamine-assisted-psychotherapy, the chaperone provides support and assistance when the therapist is not physically present in the room. This individual is an adult (18+ years old) and a reliable and trusted person in the patient’s life, such as a partner, close friend, family member, or roommate, with whom the patient shares a positive and uncomplicated relationship.
During the session, chaperones may be asked for assistance by either the therapist or the patient as needed.
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Chaperone choice is discussed with therapist in the preparation session
Chaperone is made the client’s emergency contact and release of information is signed for therapist to communicate with them.
Therapist will contact chaperone via phone number on file for a 15 minute phone call
Therapist will inform chaperone of their role and answer any questions they may have.
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Blood pressure cuff: This is to self-administer vitals and report therapist to ensure appropriate range for dosing
Confirmation from client/chaperone that they discussed specific consent to touch
Confirmed client/chaperone discussed permission to walk client to the bathroom
Learn more about psychedelics and ketamine assisted therapy
FAQs About Ketamine Assisted Therapy
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) 101
Below is more information about KAP to help you navigate if it may be a good fit for you.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The effects of ketamine, which most clients find pleasant, last for approximately 45 minutes. These effects can make you feel “far from” your body.
Your motor and verbal abilities will be reduced, so you’ll be lying down in a comfortable position during the experience.
Once these effects subside, 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, clients 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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IV clinics don't typically specialize in mental health so the experience of those can be different as there isn't usually psychotherapy involved.
Myself and Journey Clinical really stands by using ketamine as a tool versus the primary aspect of treatment, so that we can tap into the benefits (like the neuroplasticity window) to create lasting changes.
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Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is an affordable, accessible modality. Although the medical intake and follow ups are not usually covered by insurance, they are eligible for out-of-network reimbursement.
Psychedelic / Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy in Florida and South Carolina with Paige Bond, LMFT
Medical Intake and Prescription for 2-4 dosing sessions: Ranges from $350-$400
Psychotherapy for established clients or collaborative adjunct clients: Ranges from $600-$1,500 (or your insurance copay for 4 hours + 2 hrs out of pocket)
Session 1: Overview of KAP to discuss medicine, dosing day logistics, informed consent
Session 2: Intention and expectation setting
Session 3: Dosing session (3 hours)
Session 4: Integration
Psychotherapy for NEW clients: Ranges from $800-$2,000 (or your insurance copay for 6 hours + 2 hrs out of pocket)
Session 1: Intake appointment
Session 2: Continued assessment
Session 3: Overview of KAP to discuss medicine, dosing day logistics, informed consent
Session 4: Intention and expectation setting
Session 5: Dosing session (3 hours)
Session 6: Integration
Psychotherapy for self-guided clients: Ranges from $500-$1,250 (or your insurance copay for 5 hours)
Session 1: Intake appointment
Session 2: Continued assessment
Session 3: Overview of KAP to discuss medicine, dosing day logistics, informed consent
Session 4: Intention and expectation setting
Self-guided dosing session
Session 5: Integration
Couples or Group Intensive Retreat: $400 per person
Session 1: Overview of KAP to discuss medicine, dosing day logistics, informed consent
Session 2: Dosing session (3 hours)
Session 3: Integration
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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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If you would like to explore the possibility of working with me on KAP, please schedule a consultation to discuss eligibility and next steps.
Research and Resources About Psychedelic Therapy:
There is expanding research in the mental health community around the impacts of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) to help eligible patients get unstuck and experience long-lasting improvement in symptoms, particularly those struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, other mental illnesses or those facing a roadblock in their current therapy.
Some of the latest studies have shown truly life-changing results for some patients, and I felt compelled to offer KAP to my clients should they want to pursue this avenue of care.
If you are curious to learn about KAP and investigate if it might be a fit for you, I encourage you to spend some time researching on your own, or simply ask me and we can explore it together! Below are some brief, helpful places to get started:
KAP won’t be right for everyone, and it is a personal choice whether you want to consider it. But in my steadfast dedication to serving you, I wanted to let you know that this is now an option available to you through my practice. If you’re interested in how KAP could lead to breakthroughs in our work together, please let me know, and we can explore the next steps.
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