Find Deeper Healing
Ketamine Therapist
In Santa Barbara and online across California
Have you been struggling to make progress with traditional healing?
“I’ve been in therapy for over a year but still feel like there’s an emotional block...”
“I’m doing all the things but not seeing the progress I want...”
“I must be broken...”
“I’m so tired and close to giving up on feeling better...”
What is ketamine therapy?
Ketamine is a type of medication that, when used in therapy, can help open up new pathways in your mind, making it easier to talk about and process challenging memories or emotions.
The effects of ketamine may include a shift in your perception and a sense of introspection, allowing you to explore your thoughts and feelings from a different perspective. The goal is to enhance your therapy by helping you understand your inner world more deeply.
Many people struggle in traditional talk therapy because it only reaches the parts of the brain that use language. Ketamine therapy allows you to access areas of your brain that are involved in learning, memory, and mood, allowing for deeper and more long-lasting healing.
Ketamine therapy for...
DIFFICULT LIFE TRANSITIONS
ANXIETY DISORDERS
DEPRESSION
DIFFICULTY WITH MOOD & EMOTIONAL REGULATION
TRAUMA
CHRONIC PAIN
PTSD
END OF LIFE CONCERNS
DIFFICULTY LETTING GO OF THE PAST
NEGATIVE SELF-TALK
SELF-LIMITING BELIEFS
INSECURITIES
STRESS OF DAILY LIFE
FEARS
FEELING “STUCK”
Benefits of Ketamine Therapy
Rapid & Sustained Relief
Studies show that ketamine can lead to rapid reduction in anxious and depressive symptoms, often within hours or days, compared to traditional antidepressants that may take weeks to show effects.
Minimal Side Effects
When administered in a controlled and supervised clinical setting, ketamine is generally considered safe with minimal side effects compared to some traditional psychiatric medications.
Medically Safe & Legal
As the only legally approved psychedelic for therapeutic use in Canada and the US, ketamine is prescribed by our expert medical practitioners, who are well-trained to ensure successful outcomes.
Enhanced Therapeutic Insights
Ketamine may induce a state of increased self-awareness and introspection, facilitating therapeutic insights that can be valuable for psychotherapy.
Enhanced Neuroplasticity
Ketamine may promote neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections. This can be beneficial for individuals struggling with entrenched thought patterns or behaviors.
Improved Mood & Emotional Wellbeing
Patients often report an improvement in mood, increased emotional resilience, and a sense of well-being after ketamine assisted therapy.
How does ketamine therapy work?
Intake:
Intake begins with a free 15-minute phone consultation that explores whether you’re a potential candidate for ketamine assisted therapy (KAP).
Then, you schedule an initial evaluation with a clinician from the Journey Clinical medical team via zoom. They will go over your medical and psychiatric history with you, provide education on the treatment and determine if you are eligible for KAP.
If Journey Clinical’s medical team determines that you are eligible for KAP, they will write a ketamine prescription for you, and a small amount of oral ketamine will be sent to your home, enough for the first 2 KAP sessions. You will be taught to take your vitals and self-administer the ketamine lozenges by Journey Clinical’s medical team in advance of our KAP sessions.
Preparation Sessions:
Once you receive your ketamine lozenges, our clinic will schedule time together for our KAP preparation, dosing and integration sessions. Preparation sessions will be scheduled just like regular therapy sessions prior to the KAP dosing session. The goal of a preparation session is to align on the process and set intentions for our KAP sessions together. Most patients do one preparation session, but more can be scheduled if needed.
Dosing Sessions:
A typical ketamine dosing session lasts between 1-2 hours and can take place either in-person at our office, or remotely via telehealth.
During a dosing session, you will self-administer your ketamine lozenge either in our office or in your home. You will be in a comfortable, reclining position wearing an eye mask and listening to calming music. Although a KAP dosing session may be largely an internal experience, an experienced therapist will be present with you the entire time to hold space and provide support as needed.
Integration Sessions:
After your KAP dosing session, you’ll meet with your therapist for integration therapy sessions to review the memories, thoughts & insights that arose during your dosing session, and to prepare for the next dosing session.
Ketamine therapy can help you:
Process past painful experiences
Explore difficult feelings or beliefs
Feel more emotionally grounded
Reduce anxious or depressive symptoms
Improve mood and mental wellbeing
Facilitate a deeper understanding of your inner world
Increase motivation, concentration, and clarity
Feel more connected to yourself and your loved ones
Plans & Pricing
*Payment plans available through Coach Financing
Unlock your ability to heal.
FAQs
What is ketamine?
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 and mood-enhancing effects, which can begin to take effect within 1-2 hrs 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.
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.
How does ketamine feel?
The effects of ketamine, which most patients 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 subsided, 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, patients feel like the insights gained are none-the-less clear. Studies have shown that the benefits to mood and neurological growth can last up to two weeks after the Ketamine experience.
What is the cost of ketamine treatment?
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is an affordable, accessible modality. Although the medical intake, follow ups, and integration sessions are not covered by insurance, they are eligible for out-of-network reimbursement. We offer payment plans to make treatment more accessible.
Is ketamine-assisted therapy safe?
Ketamine-assisted therapy can be safe when administered under controlled and supervised conditions by trained professionals. However, it is not without risks, and potential side effects may include temporary changes in perception, dissociation, and physiological responses. Safety depends on careful screening, appropriate dosing, and a supportive therapeutic environment. Individuals with certain medical conditions or a history of psychosis may be at higher risk, and it is essential to undergo a thorough assessment before considering ketamine-assisted therapy.
Which conditions is it most effective for?
Ketamine-assisted therapy has shown particular effectiveness in treating conditions such as treatment-resistant depression (TRD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also holds promise for bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and certain anxiety disorders. While research is ongoing, ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects make it a potential option for individuals who have not responded well to conventional treatments.
What are the potential side effects?
Potential side effects of ketamine-assisted therapy may include temporary changes in perception, dissociation, increased heart rate, and elevated blood pressure. Some individuals may experience nausea or mild hallucinations. It's important to note that these effects are usually short-lived and resolve as the ketamine metabolizes. However, adverse reactions such as anxiety or emergence reactions can occur. Proper screening, dosing, and supervision by trained professionals are essential to minimize risks.
Who is ketamine-assisted therapy not a good solution for?
Ketamine-assisted therapy may not be a suitable solution for individuals with a history of psychosis, certain cardiovascular conditions, or uncontrolled hypertension. Pregnant individuals and those with a history of substance abuse, particularly ketamine or dissociative drugs, may also be excluded due to potential risks. Our medical team partner, Journey Clinical, will evaluate whether ketamine-assisted therapy is a safe option for you.