Margot Williams, LCSW offers a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in partnership with a company called Journey Clinical.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a holistic approach which combines ketamine with psychotherapy to help eligible patients experience more frequent breakthroughs and sustained improvement in symptoms. Margot offers the therapy part of the experience, while Journey Clinical’s medical team supports you on all medical aspects. This includes determining eligibility, developing your treatment plan, prescribing the medicine and monitoring outcomes. Here’s a link to more information about KAP to see if it may be a good fit for you: https://journey.click/education
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, 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 neuroplasticity for lasting change. Ketamine can be administered in a variety of ways, including IV infusion, intramuscular injection, nasal spray (Spravato) and via sublingual lozenges. In our work, we will only use the sublingual lozenge form.
How Does the Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy process work?
1. Initial Consultation with Journey Clinicial
You schedule an initial evaluation with a Prescriber 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. Journey Clinical’s medical team can also help with psychiatric medication management. This means that they can prescribe or manage other medications.
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. A small amount of oral ketamine will be sent to your home, enough for your first 2 KAP sessions. The recommended course of KAP
2. Preparation sessions:
Once you receive your ketamine lozenges, you will schedule time with Margot for 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 Margot’s office, or remotely via telehealth. During a dosing session, you will take blood pressure and 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 can be an internal experience, Margot will be present with you the entire time to hold space and provide support as needed.
4. Integration Sessions:
After the KAP dosing session, Margot will meet with you 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 your first KAP session, Journey Clinical’s medical team schedules regular follow ups with you to monitor outcomes and prescribe ketamine lozenge refills, as appropriate.
Cost of Treatment
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy utilizing ketamine in the form of a sublingual lozenge is an affordable, accessible modality. Journey Clinical accepts many major insurance providers for medical consultations. When not covered by insurance, they are eligible for out-of-network reimbursement. It’s highly recommended to verify coverage directly with Journey Clinical’s Zendesk site prior to the initial appointment.
- Individual session rate for Preparation and Integration sessions is $200; Margot also accepts Cigna and Aetna
- Dosing session, which typically takes 1.5- 2 hours: $350
- Journey Clinical medical costs: Intake $250 one time fee unless covered by insurance
- Follow-up medical sessions: $150
- Cost of ketamine lozenges: initially $112, subsequently $75 for 4-6 lozenges, (not covered by insurance)
How Do I Sign Up?
If you would like to explore the possibility of working with Margot on KAP, we can schedule a free 20 to 30 minute consultation with Margot.
Call the Center at 713-973-2800 or email administration@dbtcenterhouston.com.