Ketamine Therapy
(or) Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in Denver
If you’re ready to feel a deeper sense of progress and clarity, then Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is for you.
If you’re craving expansion, let’s talk about KAP.
If you’re wanting to move from surviving to thriving, ketamine therapy can pave the way.
If you are looking for a therapy that can impact how your brain and your body feel, then it’s time to try KAP.
If you don’t want to wait 30 days to see if a medication works for you, then KAP will work more quickly for you.
If you’re tired of just talking, KAP might be the next step.
If you are wanting to get at the core of your healing, let’s chat about KAP.
“My session with Sarah was an excellent experience and was exactly what I had hoped it would be. She took the time to ensure I was comfortable and was very attentive to what I needed and how I was feeling. She allowed me to make the experience what I needed while also providing the perfect amount of guidance.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Ketamine Therapy
It makes sense that you may feel nervous or not know what to expect when it comes to a newer therapy approach such as this.
For this reason, we’ve addressed some of the most common questions below so you can feel confident moving forward with KAP.
What is ketamine and how does it work?
It’s a dissociative anesthetic and a psychedelic medicine. It is also a synthetic compound that modulates the neurotransmitter called glutamate. It gives us access to the unconscious process and can quickly allow for processing of negative emotions and offer the client new perspectives. Essentially, it lets down your “emotional guard” to allow shifts in thinking and perspectives. The therapeutic container can be a useful, emotionally safe place to allow this deep work to unfold.
Is ketamine treatment legal?
Yes, it is legal for use in Colorado with a prescription. It has been used for a long time in the medical setting as an anesthetic.
Is ketamine treatment safe?
Yes, there are very few contraindications. Your prescriber can talk more about this with you. The biggest contraindications are generally those with high blood pressure, ongoing addiction, and certain mental health disorders that involve persistent psychosis or mania.
How does the ketamine prescription work?
Heart Wild Therapy partners with local psychiatrists in Colorado and Journey Clinical, and we can decide which path is right for you. Keep in mind that not all psychiatrists are trained in prescribing ketamine for this use and may not prescribe it to you. It’s best to have a referral. You can learn more about Journey Clinical here: https://www.journeyclinical.com/
How do I take the medicine? Is it a ketamine infusion or ketamine lozenge?
The medication is taken as a lozenge, which you hold in your mouth for ten minutes. Some clinics are offering ketamine as an infusion administered via IV, which is useful for actively suicidal individuals.
Ketamine Infusion Therapy versus Ketamine Lozenges
For most people, the therapy setting with ketamine lozenge is most appropriate/supportive and allows for a dosage where therapy can still be accessible during the session. We find that the mind is most flexible as the medication is wearing off and there can be some powerful opportunities for therapeutic interventions in that window. We believe that ketamine therapy via lozenge with a therapist guide is the ultimate transformational experience as you have a tailored guide for the experience along with a safe/comfortable space within a therapeutic container. We see the relational piece that comes along with a guided journey to be central to the potential growth you will experience.
Is ketamine therapy approved by the FDA for mental health disorders?
Yes, but only the nasal spray. A lot of research is showing it to be effective for mental health disorders, specifically treatment-resistant depression and that’s irregardless of route. A lot of medicines are used “off label” in the US based on emerging studies that show their effectiveness for something other than their initial use.
Is it right for me? We offer ketamine treatment for depression, anxiety and more.
Ketamine assisted psychotherapy is proven to help with depression, anxiety, trauma, and addictions. The evidence is promising, especially for depression, due to how quickly it can improve symptoms. Most people experience relief immediately following the dosing session.
If you’re wanting a more in depth explanation of ketamine therapy and how it works: click HERE!
How long does ketamine therapy take?
You can expect this process to take at least 4 sessions total, including at least 2 preparation sessions (one hour each), one extended KAP experience session (three hours), and one integration session (one hour). In the preparation sessions we will discuss what you’d like to focus on during the experience. We can add additional experience/dosing sessions as indicated.
Dosing/experience sessions usually take place every 2-6 weeks, with at least one integration session in between. Treatment is about 6 hours in total at minimum for all sessions, but can be decided jointly between us!
Some ketamine treatment models recommend 3-6 dosing/experience sessions. I prefer to tailor treatment plans to meet each individual and I have found improvement of symptoms after just one dosing session, although for persistent depression, as an example, 6 dosing sessions may be recommended.
Where can I find more detailed information and scientific evidence about ketamine therapy?
What happens in the KAP experience/dosing session?
This is a 2-3 hour session. We will plan to meet in my office space or we can do this visit virtually so long as you have a chaperone available in your space. I also offer in-home services in certain circumstances, and charge for drive time to your home. The setting is important, and we will make sure to have cozy items, dim lighting, an eye mask, essential oils, and music in the space.
We will begin by taking your vital signs to be sure it’s safe to proceed with KAP. Then you allow the medication to dissolve in your mouth for 10 minutes. As the medication starts working, you will have an internal experience that you can choose to share with me or not.
I will take notes to share with you later. I may offer prompts or reminders, but this is really your experience and I will let it unfold as it may. The medication only lasts for about 1-2 hours, depending on the person and dosage. You may not drive yourself home, so it’s important to arrange a ride home.
What is the cost of ketamine therapy in Denver?
I charge my KAP hourly rate for my services. My KAP hourly rate is higher than my typical therapy rate due to the training and consultation time involved, in addition to the higher liability of offering this type of therapy in its current state. For four sessions as outlined above (6 hours), the cost would be $1200. I do not accept insurance at this time for this service.
The cost of the medication and assessment with a prescriber is in addition to the cost of therapy with me, as I do not have the ability to prescribe ketamine. You’ll want to schedule a visit with a ketamine prescriber ASAP, as it may take time to book this appointment, and you will then need to wait for the prescription to arrive by mail. You’ll be paying for the cost of the assessment with the prescriber and any follow-up visits with them- the cost of this depends on your insurance coverage and the prescriber fees. Some people end up paying their co-pay, and others end up paying $200/hour or more.
Sample Treatment Plan
Preparation Session 1 (1 hour) - $200
Preparation Session 2 (1 hour) - $200
Ketamine Experience Session (3 hours) - $600
Integration Session (1 hour) - $200
Total - (6 hours) $1200+
*Additional Experience Sessions are sometimes needed, with at least one integration session in between charged at the same rates as listed, an average treatment length includes
*Cost of the medication and psychiatry assessments are with a different provider and charged at their rates
Sarah Murray is available to facilitate ketamine treatment in Denver, CO.
Click on her photo below to learn more!
Sarah Murray
We’ve partnered with Thank You Life to help remove the barriers to accessing Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. Every donation helps bridge the gap for accessible KAP therapy to those at our Denver counseling office.
Ketamine Journey Playlists
