KETAMINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY
At Be Balanced Counseling, we provide low dose KAP in the office. This type of therapy allows us to use low levels of the medicine, ketamine, to assist in the healing process. This is a coordinated effort between the client, Amy Burnside, the therapist, an Elizabeth Shrader, the nurse practitioner. In this approach the client and therapist are doing therapy together, while using the low dose medicine as a tool. The most common therapy that Amy uses in this treatment is called IFS therapy (Internal Family Systems, created by Dick Schwartz. Amy has advanced training in this modality and has achieved one of the highest levels, which is certification.
Why Consider Ketamine?
Ketamine is an alternative medicine for depression and anxiety. It does not carry the same side effect profile as more traditional antidepressants - serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. For people who’ve had difficulties with SSRIs, ketamine may be a better option. It works faster than traditional antidepressants, and the neuroplasticity (brain flexibility) effects are strong, meaning the results are deeper than surface-level symptom relief. It is well known to produce new connections in the brain, taking advantage of the neuroplasticity effect. Additionally, the use of ketamine, in combination with quality therapy, such as Internal Family Systems therapy (IFS) or EMDR, can help clients uncover and heal the root cause of symptoms, behavioral patterns, emotional reactivity, addictive behaviors, relationship challenges, self-esteem issues, and loss of sense of self with more ease and more quickly.
Why Low Dose (Psycholytic) Ketamine?
You may have heard of ketamine in the context of psychedelics. At higher doses, it can work as a psychedelic. However, our dosing is different from psychedelic dosing and carries substantial and different benefits. The doses we prescribe are psycholytic. This means that it produces an immediate state of calm and ease, and a sense of mental spaciousness. Ketamine is in the “dissociative” class of medication, which means that people can experience their difficult emotions with a sense of psychological space and without a sense of being overwhelmed. Since the client is more open and calm, it can be easier for them to open up and get to the internal spaces that need the attending and healing.
How Does Ketamine Work as an Anti-depressant In The Brain?
Ketamine blocks the NMDA receptor, a type of receptor in the brain that normally binds with glutamate.
By blocking this receptor, glutamate—an abundant excitatory neurotransmitter—has the chance to bind with other receptors (like AMPA receptors) instead.
At low, sub-anesthetic doses, this shift leads to an increase in glutamate signaling, which stimulates the production of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).
BDNF is crucial for neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to form new neural connections.
This enhancement in neuroplasticity is believed to be what gives ketamine its fast-acting antidepressant effects.
Additionally, it allows the “protective parts of us”, and IFS therapy term, to soften, allowing the client and therapist to go deeper in the therapeutic work.
How We Work Together At Be Balanced Counseling:
In order to be considered as a candidate for KAP, we require that each client be evaluated by our partner psychiatric nurse practitioner, Dr. Elizabeth Shrader. During your evaluation, the medical provider will determine if you are a good candidate for KAP and medically cleared to participate in KAP sessions at Be Balanced Counseling. This includes reviewing your health history, medications, and supplements. Once cleared, Amy Burnside, LCSW, our KAP trained psychotherapist, will meet with the client to review the client’s intentions for the ketamine experience as well as prepare the client by reviewing the Set and Setting for the KAP experience. Dr. Shrader and Amy will work collaboratively as your prescriber and therapist to ensure safety and effectiveness of your experience.
Additionally, if you prefer to participate in a higher dose ketamine session at a ketamine clinic, (IV, Intramuscular, or Intranasal), Amy Burnside can assist you with preparation and integration sessions which are done before the first session and 24-72 hours after your higher dose session. These sessions are done at Be Balanced Counseling via in person or tele-health option. Proper preparation (set (mindset) and setting) and integration are vital components to getting the most out of your ketamine experience. Amy will help you to create your intention for your sessions and help you process or integrate the learnings that happening during your ketamine session.
Rates & Fees:
KAP Session Fee | lead by Amy Burnside, LCSW
$200 for 60 minutes
$300 for 90 minutes
KAP Psychiatric Intake Evaluation | by Dr. Elizabeth Shrader, DNP
Prices and insurance vary
KAP preparation session | Amy Burnside, LCSW
$175 for 60 minutes
Additional Integration sessions beyond the KAP session
$175 for 50-60 minutes
*This will vary whether you are doing psycholytic dose where we use the medicine while doing the therapy vs. doing integration session AFTER your higher dose medicine sessions with a medical provider.
Ketamine oral troches (medicine used in the psycholytic sessions)
*Cost varies based on client’s standard pharmacy insurance benefits. Most insurances cover the medication.
Articles and Videos
Ketamine & Depression: How it Works - Yale Medicine Explains (youtube.com)
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