Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

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In the early 21st century, ketamine was discovered to have rapidly-acting antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects.

Ketamine has been shown to enhance the ability of the brain to change with minimal effort, which makes it the perfect partner in the therapy room for healing long-standing, treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), often after traditional treatment approaches have been unsuccessful. 

Ketamine is an anesthetic that has been around since the 1960's. 

What is ketamine & why might it be an amazing partner in your therapeutic journey? 

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What is Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy? 

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) allows for individuals to experience the healing impact of the medicine, while being accompanied by a licensed therapist in the preparation, dosing and integration phases of treatment.

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Having a guide who serves as a container and space-holder throughout this process increases the therapeutic benefit and creates safety as ketamine is considered a psychedelic which can produce mind-altering experiences that can be used as part of the therapy process. 

*Ketamine is legal and safe for most bodies with proper medical clearance. As a licensed therapist I do not and cannot prescribe medications.*

I have partnered with Journey Clinical, a psychiatric telehealth platform, which provides the medical care needed to engage in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. Journey Clinical supports my clients after an initial KAP intake is completed to assess for goodness of fit for this treatment. Next, a referral to Journey Clinical will be provided for the client. Please reach out if you would like more information about medical care connected to KAP. 


What does the treatment process look like?

Journey Clinical supports my clients after an initial KAP intake is completed to assess for eligibility and potential prescriptions.

Medication Consultation with Journey Clinical

Click here to contact Ashley for a free phone consult and/or KAP intake assessment 

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These sessions go deeper than an intake, clarifying goals and intentions for medicine work.



KAP Preparation Session(s)

Client utilizes prescribed medicine in a 2-3 hour session with therapist present.



KAP Experiential Dosing Session

Within 24-48 hours of each dosing session, a session will be held to process the experience and use the brain's flexibility to ground new skills, mood states or trauma resolution.

KAP Integration Session(s)

WOVEN BONE SOMATICS

Meet Ashley Liston-Avnaim

I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in NC, OH and TN with a certificate in Somatic Experiencing and EMDR level II trained.

I am based in Cincinnati, OH and offer KAP in-person as well as remotely for clients deemed eligible. My unique approach with KAP is highly relational with a special focus on somatic resolution and working through attachment-related distress impacting your life today. 


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Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of issues can KAP treat?

Ketamine has been shown to enhance the ability of the brain to change with minimal effort, which makes it the perfect partner in the therapy room for healing long-standing, treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), often after traditional treatment approaches have been unsuccessful.

Why work with Ashley specifically for KAP?

Ashley primarily uses a therapeutic model with KAP in which lower doses of the medicine are prescribed. This approach allows the client to be conscious and aware of the therapist while altered, providing an opportunity to engage in trauma therapy with the brain in a more flexible state. The therapeutic model is especially helpful for folks with pre-verbal, early developmental and attachment based concerns; though it can be used to treat anything that has been feeling particularly stuck or entrenched. Very few providers who offer KAP are using the therapeutic model, instead working with higher doses for intractable depression, PTSD or OCD. At these higher doses, clients are usually on their own journey and the provider is holding safety and space for them. Ashley will be actively engaged during your entire session in case somatic work wants to happen (your body decides that). 

What kind of training does Ashley have in providing KAP? 

Ashley completed a 24 hour training with Katalyst Mental Health in British Columbia in the lower dose therapeutic model of providing KAP. This training was in-person and required deep engagement and attunement in addition to personal medicine sessions. Additionally, Ashley completed a training on ketamine and more traditional KAP treatment via Fluence. She continues to engage in supervision and consultation with Dr. Hillary McBride and Danielle Braun Kauffman, founders of Katalyst. 

How many sessions do clients usually complete? 

While the course of treatment varies for each individual, recent research suggests that a series of ketamine doses—typically at least six sessions—can lead to significant and lasting improvements in mental health.

What is the investment associated with KAP? 

KAP Intake $200, 1 hour
KAP Preparation Session $175, 1 hour
Dosing Session $500-$600, 2.5-3 hours
Integration Session- $175, number of Integration sessions are contingent upon individual needs
KAP Group Dosing Sessions, Reach out for rates for these semi-annual groups

*These fees do not include associated medical and prescription costs with Journey Clinical. See Journey Clinical's website for more information. 

I’m on a budget. How can I access KAP more affordably? 

KAP can be an expensive treatment modality due to the number of hours the therapist spends in therapy with the client in addition to the medical costs necessary to achieve safe outcomes. Depending upon the client’s concerns that bring them to KAP, lower doses of ketamine provide shorter sessions– usually around 2 hours. Dosage is one way to make multiple sessions more financially feasible, but only if clinical issues warrant lower dose sessions. Ashley also runs KAP groups a couple times per year in which a group of 4 clients engage in dosing sessions together with individual and group integration sessions. These groups are about 50% of the overall cost for a course of treatment and can be coupled with individual dosing sessions as desired.