Ketamine Therapy

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy in Monterey

     Bonnie is part of a team practice that is available to provide Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) for appropriate patients with treatment resistant depression or other chronic mental health conditions.

     Patients who are interested in KAP will be offered a referral to the medical provider/prescriber on our team for an assessment, and can also schedule a screening appointment with Bonnie to learn more, and determine if KAP may be a helpful approach for their condition and goals.

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What is Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy?

     Ketamine is an FDA approved and legal medicine that has been safely used in medical settings as an anesthetic for decades. In recent years, it has gained attention for its potential as a treatment for depression, anxiety, and other chronic mental health conditions.

    One promising approach is ketamine assisted psychotherapy.  In ketamine assisted psychotherapy, the patient works in collaboration with a licensed medical provider and a trained psychotherapist. The patient will be assessed and monitored by a ketamine trained prescriber such as a medical doctor, registered nurse, or psychiatrist who determines dosages, prescribes the medicine, and in the case of in-office treatment, will administer the ketamine.

     The medical providers have their own assessment processes and fee structures independent of the psychotherapist. The psychotherapist offers psychotherapy services to the patient before and after the ketamine treatment, and may also be present with the patient during in-office treatments. The psychotherapist has a separate assessment process and fee structure for these services.  


Ketamine Therapy for Depression

     There is evidence to suggest that ketamine therapy may be particularly effective in addressing treatment-resistant depression, that is, depression that has not responded to other forms of treatment. It is thought to work by regulating brain chemicals involved in mood, such as serotonin and glutamate. Ketamine may also have an effect on the brain’s neural pathways, potentially leading to the development of new connections between brain cells. 

 

     Ketamine therapy for depression has become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional psychoactive pharmaceutical treatments for a number of reasons including the potential for improvement after a shorter period of treatment. Traditional antidepressant medications can take weeks or even months to start working, and many people with depression do not experience relief with traditional antidepressants. 

 

     Ketamine treatment is most effective when combined with ketamine assisted psychotherapy, which focuses on the integration of the new neural connections that have become available through the ketamine experience.

Ketamine Therapy for Anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

     While ketamine assisted psychotherapy is still a relatively new treatment, the evidence supporting its effectiveness is growing. A number of studies have shown that it can produce significant and lasting improvements in mood and quality of life for individuals with anxiety. Additionally, for patients with post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, ketamine assisted psychotherapy has offered profound symptom relief and access to processing and healing from past traumas. When provided in a safe and skillful, supportive environment, ketamine therapy for trauma can be exceptionally beneficial. When administered in the proper setting, and with the help of a trained trauma psychotherapist, patients can be better able to approach and reprocess their past painful experiences.

 

     The use of ketamine for anxiety is thought to help by acting on a neurotransmitter called glutamate. Glutamate is involved in the regulation of mood and anxiety, and ketamine is thought to increase the amount of glutamate available in certain regions of the brain. This can lead to changes in the neural connections that regulate mood and anxiety, resulting in decreased symptoms. Additionally, ketamine affects other neurotransmitters such as dopamine and noradrenaline which could also contribute to its anti-anxiety effects. However, it is still not fully understood how ketamine works to alleviate anxiety, as more research is needed to confirm its mechanism of action.

 

     After treatment with ketamine therapy for anxiety as well as for PTSD, patients have shown significant reduction in anxiety related issues such as nervousness, feelings of dread, chest pain and panic attacks. This treatment, like all mental health applications of ketamine, is most effective when combined with ketamine assisted psychotherapy, which focuses on the processing and integration of the new neural connections that have become available through the ketamine medication experience.

Benefits of Ketamine Therapy

     As described above, symptom improvement after ketamine assisted psychotherapy in cases of treatment resistant depression, treatment resistant anxiety, and treatment resistant PTSD  can be life-changing for individuals who have struggled with these debilitating conditions for years and have not found relief from other treatments. 

 

     Ketamine treatment may be administered either orally, through a nasal spray, or through an injection that has been dosed specifically for each patient by the prescriber. Ketamine has been shown to provide sometimes rapid antidepressant effects, with some individuals experiencing improvements in symptoms within the hours of receiving treatment. Most treatment plans for chronic mental health conditions include a series of 3-4 in-office ketamine sessions over 3-4 weeks in combination with weekly psychotherapy. Patients will process their experiences in therapy, and some will no longer need follow up ketamine treatments, while some will want to have more rounds of treatment after a period of time. This plan can be worked out with the providers, and is unique to each patient. This symptom improvement can be life-changing for individuals who have struggled with depression for years and have not found relief from other treatments. 

     Again, it is important to note that ketamine assisted treatment for depression, anxiety or other chronic conditions is not a standalone treatment and should be used in conjunction with other forms of therapy and support.

Risks of Ketamine Therapy

     Ketamine is a powerful anesthetic and dissociative medication that has been used in medical settings for decades. In recent years, it has been gaining attention as a potential treatment for a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. However, while the potential benefits of ketamine-assisted therapy are promising, there are also a number of risks associated with its use that should be considered. 

 

     Proper professional medical and mental health assessment, monitoring  and informed consent are essential for safe and positive mental health treatment outcomes. Your medical provider as well as your psychotherapist will discuss the possible unwanted/side effects of ketamine treatment. Some of the common concerns include cautions for patients with a history of substance abuse or addiction, patients with high blood pressure, or patients with other serious medical conditions. Milder and short-lived side effects of ketamine treatment can include nausea and dizziness, headache, hallucinations, and impaired judgment. Patients are not safe to drive a vehicle in the several hours after ketamine infusions.

 

     It should be noted that these side effects are rare and ketamine therapy is considered both safe and effective. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you are interested in ketamine assisted psychotherapy then a good place to start is asking your therapist or healthcare provider if they offer the treatment. If they don’t, they likely know which direction to point you. You can always do an online search for ‘ketamine therapy near me’ and work through the results.
The cost of ketamine treatment for anxiety and other conditions can vary depending on the location, the provider, and the specific treatment plan. Insurance coverage for ketamine therapy can also vary, so it’s best to check with your insurance provider and therapist to see if they cover the treatment. In some cases an insurance provider may cover part of the cost. However, keep in mind that ketamine for anxiety, depression and other conditions is a relatively new treatment so your insurance provider may not cover the treatment.
In most cases insurance companies will not cover the cost of ketamine treatment for anxiety, depression or other psychological issues as it is an ‘off label’ use for the drug. However, there are exceptions depending on the insurance provider as well as on a case by case basis. Speaking with your therapist and insurance provider about ketamine infusion therapy is the best way to find out what will be covered based on your situation.

Ketamine therapy typically involves receiving the medication in a clinical setting, such as a therapists office, doctor’s office, or hospital. Ketamine is administered by a trained healthcare provider, such as a physician or nurse. During the treatment session, the patient is monitored for vital signs and any adverse reactions to the medication.

It’s important to note that therapy with ketamine for anxiety disorder and other conditions is usually administered as a part of a comprehensive treatment plan that also includes other therapies such as talk therapy and medication management.

Ketamine treatments for anxiety have shown promising results for people with all forms of anxiety. Data thus far suggests that ketamine therapy for anxiety is effective, especially in patients that have persistent anxiety after other forms of treatment. Considering that ketamine therapy is a short form treatment as opposed to other pharmaceuticals that typically require long-term use in order to achieve results, it is a more appealing option for many.
The use of ketamine for anxiety is thought to help by acting on a neurotransmitter called glutamate. Glutamate is involved in the regulation of mood and anxiety, and ketamine is thought to increase the amount of glutamate available in certain regions of the brain. This can lead to changes in the neural connections that regulate mood and anxiety, resulting in decreased symptoms. Additionally, ketamine affects other neurotransmitters such as dopamine and noradrenaline which could also contribute to its anti-anxiety effects. However, it is still not fully understood how ketamine works to alleviate anxiety, as more research is needed to confirm its mechanism of action.