In the therapy process, we aim to identify your beliefs, where they come from, and how they influence your emotions and behaviors. We help you determine which beliefs are helpful and which need updating to promote your healing. In the process of healing, we help you make space to reconnect with your natural joys and desires. In therapy you can expect to develop a stronger sense of self, greater clarity about the direction you want your life to go, and skills to use when confronted by life’s difficulties. In therapy we aim to help you gain awareness of what has led you to this current point, develop a stance of non-judgmental compassion for yourself, and learn to accept what is as a means to free you up to new possibilities.

In individual therapy we integrate information and skills a number of modalities to best suit your needs. We are particularly adept at helping individuals process trauma and move toward growth and healing. We are able to provide both Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) as well as Prolonged Exposure (PE), which are considered ‘gold standard’ treatments for PTSD and trauma recovery. These interventions are short-term treatments (approximately 10-15 sessions) designed to help people recover and move forward with life. Additionally, if struggling with sleep-related concerns, we can provide Imagery Rehearsal Training for Nightmares as well as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia.

Ketamine is a safe and legal medicine with psychedelic properties. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic and is used worldwide. At a sub-anesthetic dose, used in a therapeutic context, ketamine produces a non-ordinary state of consciousness which can serve as a catalyst for deeper emotional processing in therapy. While not a ‘classic’ psychedelic, ketamine has psychedelic properties and can facilitate healing, deep transformation, and personal as well as spiritual growth.

Ketamine works by helping our brains reshape old pathways and opening the door to new understanding. It can accelerate changing ineffective habits, gaining new perspective on your life experience, processing and/or healing emotional and physical pain, and improving relational functioning. It is used off-label for a variety of concerns including anxiety, depression, grief, pain syndromes, existential distress, and general stagnation.

What is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)?

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy involves experiencing the effects of an intentional low dose of ketamine while in a therapeutic environment supported by Rebecca. The non-ordinary state of consciousness induced by ketamine elicits more material to work with in therapy, and Rebecca provides support through the entire process. Ketamine-Assisted Therapy has the potential to accelerate healing by providing powerful insights into the emotional and behavioral patterns you carry.

There are four components to KAP, each designed to help you tap into your intentions and promote healing from within:

1. Assessment: Prior to becoming a KAP client, you’ll be evaluated and screened by licensed professionals (mental health and medical) to ensure KAP is a safe option for you. In general ketamine is a very safe medicine, but some mental health and medical conditions may make you ineligible for KAP. During the assessment phase we’ll review your medical and mental health history, past treatment, current medications, current symptoms, and relevant life history. Ketamine is not appropriate for individuals with severe or uncontrolled vascular disorders, severe liver disease, increased intracranial or intraocular pressure, who are currently pregnant, have experienced psychosis or schizophrenia, or are currently experiencing mania.
2. Preparation: Solid preparation builds the foundation for your KAP experience. During the preparatory phase, you and Rebecca will collaboratively create a treatment plan based upon your personal goals and intentions, explore your expectations, talk through your worries and fears, review full informed consent to treatment, and get a general orientation to what a ketamine experience is like as well as how to explore your inner world when immersed in the ketamine experience. As part of preparation, you may also learn mindfulness or other breath-based tools to use in a non-ordinary state of consciousness for support. Feeling safe during your ketamine experience is essential – trust is required to fully let go and invite the psychedelic experience. Thus, a key component of preparation is building a trusting therapeutic relationship. We’ll spend as much time as we need in this phase.
3. Medicine Sessions: These visits include brief preparation before self-administering your ketamine, the medicine experience, and initial integration before wrapping up. Rebecca reserves three hours for each session as they typically last 2-3 hours depending on the effects of ketamine as well as your treatment plan. Rebecca will be present the entire time to support and guide you. You will need to leave with a friend or family member as you are unable to drive after using ketamine.
4. Integration: Rebecca will follow up with you via phone the day after your medicine session to check in. Within two days after a medicine session, you will meet with Rebecca to process your experience, discuss any insights which emerged, and connect more deeply with your inner healing energy. Integration is essential to transform new insight into enduring change. Integration may include dialogue, drawing, movement practice, or other modes of self-expression for processing.

If you have an ongoing relationship with a therapist, psychiatrist, or other provider, you’ll be asked to sign a release of information so we can coordinate care with your outside care team.

How Long is a Course of Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy? 

As with many other treatments, it depends. Each medicine session is followed by an integration session. Individuals typically complete 4-8 medicine sessions (with an integration session following each dosing), however the total number is individualized to each person’s intentions and goals. Some people have extremely transformative experiences with a session or two, while others feel more are needed to go deeper and capture the inner pearls of healing.

Rebecca will take detailed notes during your medicine sessions for later reflection and reference during the integration period. Those notes are yours to keep.

Does Insurance Cover KAP?

While ketamine has demonstrated effectiveness for a number of concerns, it’s still considered ‘off label’ and not covered by insurance.

For KAP you are able to select an à la carte (pay per service) option or buy package options which include the mental health assessment, preparatory sessions, medicine sessions (4, 6, or 8), and integration sessions. Please reach out to discuss which option may best suit your needs.

For individuals receiving ketamine dosing through a community clinic not offering therapeutic support, and are in need of preparation and integration to increase treatment outcome, Rebecca is happy to provide the preparation and integration components.

Who Prescribes the Ketamine?

We work with prescribers able to complete medical assessment/clearance and write a prescription filled by a local pharmacy. Costs for medical assessment and prescription services are set by those independent service providers and will be paid by you directly to them.

Whether individuals have accessed medicines through a prescribing clinician or are using in a self-dosed manner, the medicine sessions can go further and deeper with intentional preparation and integration. Preparation for using psychedelic medicines includes discussing expectations, harm reduction counseling, risks/benefits, and setting the stage for a therapeutic experience. While individuals can enjoy mystical or highly meaningful journeys using psychedelic medicines, medicine journeys can be complex, and sustained growth / personal development comes from proper integration of the experience. As part of intentional integration, clients work to clarify new insight / wisdom revealed by the medicine and transform insight into action.

Gender affirming therapy supports and affirms a person’s identity no matter where they are at on their gender journey. Therapy will provide a safe space for processing and understanding one’s experience of gender, sources of gender euphoria and gender dysphoria, as well as determining what authentic embodiment looks / feels like for each person. Therapy discussions may lead to referrals for other affirming interventions (e.g., medical, legal).

Rebecca is also able to write letters of support for gender-affirming procedures.