Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

Serving the Greater Nashville, TN Area

Have you tried it all & still have no relief?

Despite trying therapy in the past, you are still suffering from:

  • Chronic anxiety or depression

  • Noticing the impacts of past trauma, PTSD or C-PTSD.

  • Feeling triggered consistently and ready to take a different approach to therapy.

It’s time to try something different.

KAP is a powerful tool that can accelerate your healing journey. KAP can disrupt depression and anxiety when nothing else has worked.

ketamine assisted psychotherapy nashville, tn

Ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP) can help you access deeper, inner healing.

KAP is a holistic modality, coupling medicinal ketamine with psychotherapy.

  • 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 with mood-enhancing effects, which begin to take effect within 1-2 hours after treatment and last for up to 2 weeks.

    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 overall neuroplasticity for lasting symptom improvement.

    Used as prescribed, in the context of a supported KAP protocol, there is no evidence of a risk for addiction.

    People with a history of ketamine abuse would likely not be eligible for KAP. However, if you have any concerns about your personal risk levels regarding addiction to ketamine, we can discuss that thoroughly before deciding whether to proceed with KAP.

  • Ketamine can be administered in a variety of ways, including IV infusion, intramuscular injection, via nasal spray and using sublingual lozenges. In my work with Journey Clinical we only use the sublingual lozenge form, which will be prescribed to you from a member of the Journey Clinical Medical Team.

  • KAP begins with an in-depth intake and preparation phase, during which we discuss your personal and clinical history, as well as your goals for treatment. During this time we will prepare for the session, review the details, precautions, and intentions. It is important that you have a clear understanding of the work before proceeding.

    Each KAP protocol is individually tailored to address your challenges and needs. A typical protocol can last 2-3 months. After a more intensive protocol, some individuals may return for maintenance sessions or to do additional processing.

    The results of KAP vary from person to person. Some people a rapid experience a reduction in symptoms. For most people lasting changes come after a longer period of work, often a series of 3-6 KAP sessions. This allows time to integrate the cognitive, relational and behavioral changes that lead to lasting transformation.

  • The effects of ketamine, which most clients find pleasant, last for approximately 45 minutes. These effects can make you feel “far from” your body, and facilitate shifts in perception that can often feel expansive in nature.

    Your motor and verbal abilities will be reduced, so you’ll be lying down in a comfortable position during the experience. Once these effects subside, we’ll spend the remainder of our appointment giving you space to process and discuss your experience. While it may feel hard to articulate what happened during the experience, clients feel like the insights gained are clear. Studies have shown that the benefits to mood and neurological growth can last up to two weeks after the Ketamine experience.

  • I offer 1:1 KAP in person at my office in Brentwood, TN. You will need to arrange a ride to and from my office on dosing sessions.

ketamine

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Experience your life through a different lens.

who it’s for

ketamine assisted psychotherapy is for you if…

  • You suffer from chronic depression

  • Are struggling with anxiety disorders, including: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), depression (MDD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, PTSD or OCD

  • Experienced trauma and want to explore the impact of that trauma in a safe and controlled environment

  • Experience chronic pain

who it’s not for

ketamine assisted psychotherapy is not for you if…

  • You have an active Ketamine addiction

  • You have unstable medical conditions that include elevated blood pressure

  • You’re pregnant or breastfeeding

  • You are looking for a quick fix or just the experience of the journey itself

  • You have a contraindicated psychiatric disorder

What is the process for me if I am a new client?

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Schedule preparation session(s) to align on the process and set intentions for KAP dosing session(s)

#4

KAP DOSING SESSION: You will receive your dose(s) of Ketamine at a medical provider’s office.

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Initial consultation with a local Medical Provider, eligibility check & Ketamine prescription

#1

Schedule initial consultation & then 90 minute intake with Cristine Steele, LMFT

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FOLLOW-UP CONSULTATIONS: with your medical provider or Cristine Steele, LMFT to continue the integration process.

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INTEGRATION SESSIONS: allow us to review the memories, thoughts, or insights that arise during the dosing session

Please know this:

you deserve to feel better.

The process looks like:

Preparation

We will establish a safe and supportive therapeutic environment. The ‘set and setting’ are very important for the dosing sessions, so we will want to ensure you are familiar with the environment and your nervous system feels safe. During the preparation session(s), you will get your questions answered, set intentions and discuss expectations for the experience.

Dosing

Through my partnership with local medical providers, you will be in good hands. While you are experiencing the medicinal effects of Ketamine, I will provide continuous support and guidance. You may talk some, or not at all. After you regain awareness, we may do some integration of your experience. We’ll end by re-orienting you to your space.

Integration

This is where the work of KAP is really done. The integration sessions occur between dosing sessions and are meant for you to explore and process what came up during your dosing sessions. With KAP, you’ll interact with parts of your internal world that you don’t often have access to. With that information, you can do deeper therapeutic work.

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  • KAP is an affordable, accessible modality. Although the medical intake and follow ups are not covered by insurance, they are eligible for out-of-network reimbursement.

    ○ Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy My 1:1 KAP hourly rate is $215/hour while you are dosing

    You will be responsible to cover the fees for the medical provider separately from the psychotherapy fees.

  • Yes! I can offer a 4:1 group experience.

    These are typically offered on Friday afternoons and can be done in person or remotely.

    The cost per hour for a KAP group is $150 per hour.

  • Fridays are designated KAP dosing sessions. This allows you to be able to relax Friday evening and continue to process and reflect into the weekend.

    You have the choice of morning or afternoon dosing sessions:

    8:15am - 11:15am

    11:30am - 2:30pm

    We will schedule an integration (90 minute) session on the Monday following your dosing session.

    A general rule is that at a minimum of one integration session is required between dosing sessions.

  • In order to maximize the benefits of KAP, 6-8 dosing sessions are considered ‘full treatment.’

    Once you start, and assuming you are responding well to the medication, it is wise to continue with the full course of treatment.

  • Schedule a time for a consultation call with Cristine Steele, LMFT and we can decide what route is best for you going forward!

frequently asked questions