Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
A therapeutic window for real change. Guided by a Licensed Professional Counselor certified in trauma treatment, EMDR, and IFS.
What Is KAP?
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a structured therapeutic process that uses a safe, moderate dose of ketamine to support deeper emotional access and meaningful psychological change. Ketamine creates a temporary shift in consciousness, a sense of spaciousness and clarity, that helps you see your patterns without the usual shame, fear, or overwhelm.
You remain aware, supported, and in control throughout the experience. The medicine simply softens the defenses that normally keep you stuck, allowing therapy to go further and land more deeply. KAP is especially helpful for depression, trauma, anxiety, rigid patterns, and chronic self-criticism.
Who Can KAP Help?
KAP has shown remarkable results for individuals struggling with conditions that haven’t fully responded to traditional therapy alone.
The Medicine Opens the Door
When it comes to mental health, ketamine is not the treatment itself; it is the catalyst that makes deeper therapeutic work possible. Research has shown that ketamine promotes neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections, creating a critical window of 24 to 72 hours during which psychotherapy becomes significantly more effective.
Transformation and healing come from a combination of medicine and therapy. As a Licensed Professional Counselor certified in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, IFS (Internal Family Systems), and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), I can help with the second part. During the dosing journey, I draw on IFS, mindfulness, resourcing, and imagery rescripting to help you safely access and heal wounded inner parts. In the integration sessions that follow, I incorporate EMDR to help process and anchor the insights that emerged.
When you choose the powerful combination of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy and IV infusion, you benefit from the best of both worlds: the clinical expertise of a licensed anesthesia provider who ensures your physical safety and delivers the medication with precision, combined with the deep therapeutic support of a licensed trauma therapist who guides you through the psychological experience.
We use this combination to help veterans, first responders, survivors of sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, and domestic violence who struggle with PTSD and complex PTSD, as well as people with debilitating phobias, addiction, and other mental health issues.
Ketamine infusions administered intravenously (IV) also have powerful standalone applications beyond mental health. David Kleiman, CRNA, of NW Ketamine Infusion, our medical partner, uses IV ketamine to treat a range of chronic pain and physiological conditions, including Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), fibromyalgia, chronic migraines, neuropathic pain, cancer pain, phantom limb pain, and other chronic pain syndromes. For these conditions, the ketamine infusion itself provides direct therapeutic relief, often where conventional treatments have fallen short.
To learn more about our medical partner and the IV infusion process, visit NW Ketamine Infusion.
The Science Behind KAP
Ketamine has been an FDA-approved medicine for over 50 years, first approved in the 1970s as an anesthetic. It has since been studied in hundreds of clinical trials and is now recognized worldwide for its safety and therapeutic potential in mental health treatment. Research shows that ketamine promotes neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections, creating a critical therapeutic window of 24 to 72 hours after each session during which psychotherapy is especially effective.[1][2]
Responded to Treatment for PTSD
In a study of 374 adults with PTSD, 79% responded to treatment and 60% achieved full remission. An impressive 62% showed meaningful improvement after just two sessions.
Improvement in Depression & Anxiety
In the largest study of psychedelic medicine involving over 11,000 participants, 89% experienced improvement in depression and anxiety symptoms after just four sessions.
Reported No Side Effects
Ketamine therapy was remarkably well-tolerated, with 96% of participants reporting no side effects, compared to up to 50% of patients who experience side effects with antidepressants.
A landmark 2019 study examining outcomes from three KAP practices found that KAP is “an effective method for decreasing depression and anxiety in a private practice setting, especially for those with severe symptom burden.” Notably, patients with complex PTSD and developmental trauma showed the highest levels of improvement.[5]
Additional research has demonstrated that KAP produces sustained reductions in anxiety, depression, and PTSD, with symptom improvement lasting well beyond the duration of treatment, up to five months after the last session. Large treatment effects were detected at three months and were sustained at six months.[6]
Studies also confirm that psychedelic medicines produce significantly better clinical results when combined with psychotherapy. The therapeutic alliance between client and therapist is a key predictor of positive outcomes, with one study showing that the effect size of psychedelic-assisted therapy more than doubled when psychotherapy was included.[7]
Why 6 Sessions Are Recommended
Clinical research strongly supports a protocol of six sessions for the best and most enduring results. While many people notice meaningful shifts after their very first session, the cumulative effect of multiple sessions is what creates deep, lasting change. Here is what the research shows:
Sustained Symptom Reduction
Patients who received six ketamine sessions experienced substantial reductions in depression symptoms that were sustained for several months post-treatment.
Enhanced Neuroplasticity
Repeated ketamine sessions significantly enhance neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new neural connections, supporting long-term therapeutic outcomes and breaking entrenched patterns.
Lower Risk of Relapse
Patients who underwent a series of ketamine sessions had a significantly lower risk of relapse compared to those who received fewer doses, suggesting cumulative benefit.
Reduction in Suicidal Ideation
Multiple ketamine doses significantly reduced suicidal thoughts in patients with treatment-resistant depression, with effects most pronounced after six sessions.
Rapid PTSD Relief
89% of participants reported improvement in depression and anxiety after just four sessions, with 56% achieving a 50% or greater reduction in symptoms.
Lasting Results at 6 Months
KAP produced sustained reductions in anxiety, depression, and PTSD with large treatment effects at 3 months that were maintained at 6 months post-treatment.
Setting Realistic Expectations
While the majority of clients report meaningful, positive experiences and notice real changes after just a few sessions, individual responses to ketamine therapy can vary. Some people may need more sessions before noticing significant shifts, while others may feel that a particular session did not produce the results they expected. This is a normal part of the process.
Both your therapist and medical provider are committed to helping you get the most benefit from every session. However, because the science of how ketamine affects the brain is still evolving, no provider can guarantee specific outcomes. What we can promise is a safe, supportive, and clinically informed environment, a thorough preparation process, and dedicated follow-up care to help you integrate and build on whatever emerges.
If you have questions or concerns about whether KAP is right for you, we encourage you to schedule a free consultation to discuss your individual situation.
Investment in Your Healing
KAP requires a significant investment of time, specialized training, and intensive one-on-one therapeutic support. Each session involves hours of dedicated clinical care, from preparation and safety monitoring to the dosing journey itself and the critical integration work that follows. The pricing reflects the comprehensive, personalized nature of this treatment.
New Clients Only
The following additional fees apply to new clients before starting ketamine sessions. A thorough mental health intake and preparation session are essential to build a strong therapeutic connection, understand your goals and expectations, and prepare you to get the most out of your dosing sessions.
- ✓ Mental Health Intake Session (55 min) – $250
- ✓ Preparation Session (55 min) – $250
- ✓ If choosing the Sublingual option below: doctor’s visit for health check and sublingual medication prescription
In some cases, you and your therapist may decide together that additional preparation sessions are needed before beginning the ketamine dosing process. This is to ensure you feel fully ready and supported.
KAP Session , IV Infusion
Per Session
Individual IV Infusion session
- ✓ IV Infusion with vital checks and monitoring by medical provider (~1 hr) , $465
- ✓ Trauma-informed therapeutic support by a therapist during and after dosing (2 hrs) , $500
- ✓ Integration session with EMDR and IFS , $250
6-Session Package
Recommended for optimal results
- ✓ 6x IV Infusion with vital checks and monitoring by medical provider (~1 hr) , $2,790
- ✓ 6x Trauma-informed therapeutic support by a therapist during and after dosing (2 hrs) , $3,000
- ✓ 6x Integration session with EMDR and IFS , $1,500
- ✓ Evidence-based 6-session protocol
- ✓ Cumulative neuroplasticity benefits
- ✓ Lowest risk of relapse
How the IV Infusion Process Works
Screening & Consultation
Your journey begins with a free screening and consultation with Heleen to determine whether Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is safe and appropriate for you. This is a no-commitment conversation where we discuss your goals, history, and what to expect.
Medical Screening & Intake with Your IV Provider
Once cleared, Heleen will refer you to David at NW Ketamine Infusion, a licensed anesthesia provider with extensive experience in IV ketamine therapy. David will conduct a free medical screening and intake to ensure you are medically cleared and to develop a personalized dosing plan tailored to your needs.
Mental Health Intake & Preparation Session
For new clients, a thorough mental health intake and a dedicated preparation session will follow ($250 each). Together, we will clarify your goals, set intentions, review what to expect, build safety and trust, and plan for aftercare and support. We will also discuss how IFS, mindfulness, resourcing, imagery rescripting, and EMDR will be woven into your experience for maximum benefit.
The IV Dosing Session (Approximately 2 Hours)
This is where the best of both worlds comes together. David, your licensed anesthesia provider, administers the IV ketamine infusion with real-time vital monitoring, precise dosage control, and the highest standard of medical safety. This is done in a softly lit room with a comfortable recliner, along with optional items such as blankets, headphones, and an eye mask.
Heleen remains with you for the full two hours, providing continuous trauma-informed therapeutic support using mindfulness, Internal Family Systems (IFS), resourcing, and other evidence-based modalities. This dual-clinician approach gives you the peace of mind of expert medical care combined with deep, personalized therapeutic guidance throughout your entire experience.
Integration Session
Within a few days after your dosing session, during the peak window of neuroplasticity when your brain is most receptive to forming new connections, we meet for an integration session. This is where Heleen incorporates EMDR to help process what came up, make meaning of the experience, and connect insights to your daily life. Integration is where the long-term change happens.
KAP Session , Sublingual
The sublingual option uses a medicated lozenge (also called a troche) that dissolves slowly under the tongue, allowing the ketamine to absorb directly into the bloodstream. A prescription from a licensed medical provider is required.
Per Session
Individual Sublingual session
- ✓ Sublingual session with mental health provider (3 hrs) , $750
- ✓ Integration session (55 min) , $250
6-Session Package
Recommended for optimal results
- ✓ 6x Sublingual session with mental health provider (3 hrs) , $4,500
- ✓ 6x Integration session (55 min) , $1,500
- ✓ Evidence-based 6-session protocol
- ✓ Cumulative neuroplasticity benefits
- ✓ Lowest risk of relapse
How the Sublingual Process Works
Safety Screening & Consultation
Your journey begins with a free screening and consultation with Heleen to determine whether Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is safe and appropriate for you. This is a no-commitment conversation where we discuss your goals, history, and what to expect.
Mental Health Intake & Preparation Session
For new clients, a thorough mental health intake and a dedicated preparation session will follow ($250 each). Together, we will clarify your goals, set intentions, review what to expect, build safety and trust, and plan for aftercare and support. We will also discuss how IFS, mindfulness, resourcing, imagery rescripting, and EMDR will be woven into your experience.
Obtain Your Sublingual Medication
You will need to obtain the sublingual ketamine medication—a medicated lozenge that dissolves under the tongue—from a licensed prescribing provider. Heleen will recommend trusted providers who can evaluate you, conduct a health screening, and write the prescription. This step is the client’s responsibility and is not included in the session pricing.
Ketamine Dosing Journey (Approximately 3 Hours)
During the dosing session, you will take the prescribed ketamine lozenge in a comfortable, safe setting. You will recline with an eye mask and curated music while Heleen stays with you the entire time, providing continuous therapeutic support. Many people describe the experience as inward, reflective, and gentle, a calm, dreamlike state with a sense of spaciousness, clarity, and connection.
Integration Session
Within a few days after your dosing session, during the peak window of neuroplasticity when your brain is most receptive to forming new connections, we meet for an integration session. This is where Heleen incorporates EMDR to help process what came up, make meaning of the experience, and connect insights to your daily life. Integration is where the long-term change happens.
Please note: The cost of the medical evaluation and the sublingual ketamine medication (a medicated lozenge that dissolves under the tongue) is separate and paid directly to the medical provider or pharmacy. I will refer you to a trusted prescribing provider, or you may use your own medical provider and I will coordinate care with them.
Your Safety Is My Priority
Free Initial Screening
Safety is the foundation of everything I do. Before any commitment is made, you will receive a free screening to determine whether KAP is safe and appropriate for you. There are certain medical and mental health conditions that may disqualify someone from ketamine treatment, and it is essential that these are identified upfront.
Ketamine has been a trusted medicine for over 50 years with a remarkable safety profile. In clinical studies, less than 5% of clients reported any side effects, in contrast, up to 50% of patients report side effects when taking traditional antidepressants. Less than 1% of clients experience worsened symptoms following treatment.[3][4]
Throughout the dosing journey, I remain with you the entire time, providing continuous monitoring and therapeutic support. Your physical and emotional safety are never compromised.
Medical Provider Coordination: I will refer you to a trusted medical provider who can evaluate you, prescribe the ketamine, and develop a dosing plan. If you already have a provider who can prescribe ketamine, I will connect and coordinate care directly with them to ensure a seamless and safe experience.
What You Might Experience
Many clients describe the ketamine experience as a calm, dreamlike state, like floating, with time moving differently and your usual inner noise turned way down. You may notice vivid imagery, gentle body lightness, or a sense of viewing your life from a new perspective. Emotions can move more freely, and many people feel deeply relaxed, curious, or connected.
The experience is designed to be healing and expansive, but not overwhelming. Most clients find themselves in a safe, therapeutic state where new insights and possibilities can emerge. The peak of the experience usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes, and most return to baseline within 1 to 2 hours.
How to prepare: Come with an intention (such as clarity, emotional relief, or insight). Avoid alcohol or recreational substances before your session. Plan a quiet, low-demand day afterward. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a journal for after the session. Arrange transportation if needed, and avoid operating heavy machinery until the next morning.
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
If you’ve been feeling stuck in depression, trauma, anxiety, or rigid patterns, KAP may help you move forward in a new way. Reach out today to schedule your free screening and learn whether Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is right for you.
Begin Your JourneyReferences
- Sakopoulos, S., & Todman, M. W. (2025). The effects of psychotherapy on single and repeated ketamine infusion(s) therapy for treatment-resistant depression. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(14), 6673. doi.org/10.3390/ijms26146673
- Duek, O., et al. (2023). Long term structural and functional neural changes following a single infusion of ketamine in PTSD. Neuropsychopharmacology, 48, 1648–1658. doi.org/10.1038/s41386-023-01606-3
- Mindbloom. (2025). New Mindbloom research reveals rapid and meaningful progress for clients with PTSD. Real-world clinical outcomes study of 374 adults. Published on Research Square. mindbloom.com
- Mindbloom. (2024). Largest study of psychedelic medicine with 11,441 clients demonstrates effectiveness and safety of guided at-home ketamine therapy. mindbloom.com
- Dore, J., Turnipseed, B., Dwyer, S., et al. (2019). Ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP): Patient demographics, clinical data and outcomes in three large practices. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 51(2), 189–198. doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2019.1587556
- Yermus, R., Bottos, J., Bryson, N., De Leo, J. A., et al. (2024). Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy provides lasting and effective results in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and PTSD at 3 and 6 months. Psychedelic Medicine. doi.org/10.1089/psymed.2023.0021
- Mitchell, J. M., et al. (2021). MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study. Nature Medicine, 27, 1025–1033. doi.org/10.1038/s41591-021-01336-3
- Aan Het Rot, M., Collins, K. A., Murrough, J. W., et al. (2010). Safety and efficacy of repeated-dose intravenous ketamine for treatment-resistant depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 121(3), 285–291. doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2009.05.035
- Duman, R. S., & Aghajanian, G. K. (2012). Synaptic dysfunction in depression: Potential therapeutic targets. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 13(8), 609–615. doi.org/10.1038/nrn3295
- Phillips, J. L., Norris, S., Talbot, J., et al. (2019). Single, repeated, and maintenance ketamine infusions for treatment-resistant depression: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 76(4), 401–409. doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2018.3752
- Wilkinson, S. T., Ballard, E. D., Bloch, M. H., et al. (2018). The effect of a single dose of intravenous ketamine on suicidal ideation: A systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis. American Journal of Psychiatry, 175(2), 150–158. doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.17040472
This page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is not appropriate for everyone. A medical evaluation is required before treatment can begin. If you are in a life-threatening situation, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.