Psychedelic Assisted Therapy: Harm Reduction & Integration Therapy

Psychedelics and Psychotherapy

Across time and cultures, humans have used psychedelic substances such as psilocybin, ayahuasca, and ibogaine as tools for emotional and spiritual growth. Recently, interest in psychedelics has experienced a resurgence thanks to scientific advancements in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, increased media attention, and changes to legal restrictions. More and more people are seeking psychedelic experiences to foster personal growth and healing, though laws prohibiting psychedelic use makes this difficult to do safely and effectively.

Research shows that psychedelics frequently lead to deeply meaningful experiences that can catalyze new and healthier ways of living and personal transformation. Without adequate planning or support, however, psychedelic experiences can be frightening, confusing, or overwhelming and for these reasons, as well as the use of psychedelics is best approached with careful consideration. Preparation includes assessing the risks and safety of use and learning methods for incorporating lessons learned into daily life. Psychotherapy is one way to do this. Not only can it can help you prepare for psychedelic experiences (thereby reducing the risk of unsettling outcomes), it can also help maximize benefits by helping you effectively integrate the insights and wisdom gained and create lasting change.

What is psychedelic integration?

Following a psychedelic experience, many ask, “Now what?” Others worry that their newfound insights are slipping away. Psychedelic integration can help you make sense of a psychedelic experience and integrate its most valuable teachings into your day-to-day life. The process of taking an experience encountered in one state of consciousness and then trying to fit it into a sober or familiar one can be challenging. For some, this experience is magical and healing and yet others may leave the experience confused and unsure about how to make sense of it. And, like a dream, the benefits bestowed by psychedelic experiences can fade if you don’t somehow express and examine what happened in the experience soon after it’s over. The experiences that emerge in a psychedelic experience aren’t always easy to understand. This is where integration can help — together, you and your therapist will walk through your experience, explore the most important facets, and help you make sense of them. By integrating these insights, you are better equipped to put into action what you learned from your experience.

What kind of person is psychedelic safety and integration suited for?

Integration work is for anyone interested in using psychedelics for healing and growth. People already well-versed in psychedelics can use integration work to enhance on-going self-actualization and bolster life-transformation. Those new to psychedelics can use psychedelic safety and integration to explore psychedelic options, learn how to navigate experiences, and maximize benefits.

* DISCLAIMER: We do not provide psychoactive or illicit substances. We do not conduct or promote psychedelic psychotherapy outside of approved clinical trials, and we do not provide referrals to “underground” (illegal) psychedelic services.

Benefits of Ketamine-Assisted Therapy

• Rapid Relief: Many clients report significant reductions in symptoms after just one session, providing fast-acting relief compared to traditional therapies.

• New Perspectives: The altered state of consciousness can lead to new insights and perspectives that may not be accessible in typical therapy settings.

• Emotional Processing: Ketamine can help facilitate emotional processing, assisting clients in confronting painful memories and experiences in a supportive environment.

By blending Ketamine with therapy, we can leverage the neuroplasticity that Ketamine creates. Neuroplasticity involves gaining new insights into old behaviors and patterns, leading to the discovery of new ways of thinking and behaving. Through a well-supported Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy program, individuals can upgrade their self-talk and shift out of entrenched patterns, enabling the creation of new self-dialogue and enhancing emotional responses and behaviors. As a result, individuals may begin to feel safer, experience reduced anxiety, and create a more enjoyable life. In our experience, this transformative journey typically takes about three months.

What is Ketamine

Ketamine holds significant promise in the field of mental health, particularly for individuals grappling with depression, anxiety, and other psychological challenges. The mechanism by which ketamine operates involves the blockade of NMDA receptors in the brain, coupled with the activation of AMPA receptors. These actions facilitate the creation of new synaptic connections, subsequently promoting enhanced neural circuits that play a vital role in managing stress and mood.

Additionally, ketamine's ability to foster neuroplasticity contributes to enduring improvements in symptoms. By enabling the brain to adapt more effectively, ketamine therapy provides a unique avenue for those seeking relief from persistent mental health issues. As research continues to unfold, ketamine's role in therapeutic contexts suggests a transformative potential in mental health treatment, offering hope to many.

Ketamine's unique action offers a transformative mental health approach by enhancing synaptic growth and connectivity, aiding brain adaptation and healing. This can significantly reduce anxiety, depression, and trauma symptoms, providing relief from the inner critic. Clients often gain insights that promote deeper understanding and healing. The potential for emotional freedom paves the way for meaningful changes in overall well-being, making Ketamine Assisted Therapy a valuable option for recovery.

How Does Ketamine Feel

The effects of ketamine, which most clients find pleasant, typically last for about 45 minutes. During this time, you may feel a sense of detachment from your body, leading to shifts in perception that can be expansive in nature. It is important to note that your motor and verbal abilities will be diminished; therefore, you will be comfortably lying down throughout the experience.

How Does Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Work

Ketamine facilitates a mental state that promotes neuroplasticity, enabling individuals to reshape their narratives. By creating an altered space, it allows exploration of thoughts and emotions from new perspectives, fostering healing and growth. This process shifts entrenched thinking patterns, encouraging constructive inner dialogue.

• Individual model: offers a unique therapeutic approach designed to enhance your everyday well-being. By integrating ketamine-assisted treatment through therapy, you gain access to practical tools that help you navigate daily challenges, fostering resilience and emotional stability.

• Group model: offers connection and support among participants. This approach emphasizes the importance of being seen, heard, and understood within a safe space. Through shared experiences, you will cultivate a sense of belonging and validation, essential elements in the healing process. In this mini-community, you can expect an ongoing environment filled with compassion, where mutual healing is encouraged and cultivated. As you engage with others who are navigating similar challenges, you'll find the strength to explore your feelings and grow in resilience. The shared journey contributes not just to individual healing, but to the collective restoration of trust and connection among members.

1. Initial consultation with medical provider (Appleyard Counseling works with Journey Clinical in addition to independent medical providers)

You will begin your journey by scheduling an initial evaluation with a medical team provider via Zoom. During this session, your medical and psychiatric history will be discussed, along with educational information on the treatment process. This evaluation will also help determine your eligibility for Ketamine Assisted Therapy (KAP).

If you are deemed eligible, the medical team will create a personalized Ketamine prescription and an outcome monitoring plan tailored specifically for you. Subsequently, a prescription for ketamine will be issued, and a small quantity of oral ketamine will be sent directly to your home, sufficient for your first two KAP sessions. Prior to your KAP sessions, the medical team will guide you through the process of monitoring your vitals and the self-administration of the ketamine lozenges, ensuring you feel comfortable and prepared.

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 the 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 approximately 3 hours and can take place either in-person at my office, your home, or remotely via telehealth. During a dosing session, you will self-administer your ketamine lozenge. 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 convene for integration therapy sessions to discuss the memories, thoughts, and insights that emerged during your dosing experience, as well as to prepare for the subsequent dosing session. These integration sessions are crucial for understanding and assimilating the experiences from your KAP session, allowing you to deepen your self-awareness and enhance your therapeutic journey.

5. Follow-up consultations with medical provider:

After our second 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, at a minimum, once per quarter.

Cost of Treatment 

Medical intake and follow-ups may be covered by insurance, as well as, being eligible for out-of-network reimbursement. Ask us about using CareCredit for this service.

○ Integration & Preparation Sessions: $200/50 minutes

○ Ketamine Assisted Therapy Dosing Sessions: $200/hour in office

○ Journey Clinical Medical Costs / Independent provider rates are set by the medical provider

○ Journey Medical Insurance FAQs /Independent provider billing practices are set by the medical provider

Trial KAP Package: For those interested in exploring Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) but are unsure about a 6-session commitment, we provide a two-session trial option. The price includes one preparation session, two 3-hour medicine sessions, and two 50-minute integration sessions for a total of $1500. This package is designed to give you a comprehensive introduction to the benefits of KAP in a supportive and structured environment. If you have questions or want to discuss if this is the right option for you, we encourage you to reach out.

Standard Psycholytic Protocol Package - Our standard treatment plan adheres to the research protocol established by the Ketamine Research Foundation. Psycholytic KAP involves the self-administration of a low dose of sublingual ketamine (typically between 50–200 mg) in a safe and supportive setting. Unlike higher-dose psychedelic sessions, psycholytic dosing allows clients to remain engaged and communicative during the experience. This facilitates real-time exploration of thoughts, emotions, and memories with the guidance of a trained practitioner. Over the course of 8 to 16 weeks, you will undergo eight psycholytic KAP sessions.

• Dosing Sessions: 8 at $400 each = $3,200

• Integration Sessions: 8 x 50 minute sessions at $200 each = $1,600

• Preparation Session: 1 x 50 minute session = $200

• Total Program Cost: $5,000

Group options are also available and significantly reduce cost. Please see the “Retreats” tab or reach out for more information.