Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic. It was approved for use by the FDA in the 1970’s and its safety is well established. It is very commonly used for anesthesia during surgical procedures, particularly in pediatric and emergency medicine. Doses for surgical purposes are 4-5 times higher than those used in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), which are considered sub-anesthetic.

 Sub-anesthetic doses of ketamine to treat conditions like mental illness or pain are newer, off-label uses of ketamine that have not yet been approved by the FDA. However, there have been many studies demonstrating ketamine’s efficacy for various psychiatric disorders, particularly “treatment resistant” depression due to its rapid onset, safety and short duration of action. 

Ketamine is often provided as a stand-alone treatment for it's antidepressant properties, it can rapidly relieve suicidal ideation. KAT expands on this benefit by harnessing the power of therapy to deepen the exploration and weaving of insights gleaned from a psychedelic experience. The integrative and holistic approach of KAP honors the unique journey of the individual and this tends to offer a more transformative and durable healing experience that can continue to be built upon.

This term refers to a psychotherapy modality that pairs the administration of a psychedelic medicine with the support and guidance from trained psychotherapists. The altered state elicited by the medicine is used to catalyze and deepen the psychotherapeutic process. While psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has a long history in psychiatry (tracing back to the 1950s), recent research into this treatment modality has sparked new interest in the fields of medicine and mental health. Currently, several psychedelic substances other than Ketamine are being researched for their use as psychotherapeutic tools.

Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of all of these interventions for the treatment of depression. The use of both ketamine IV infusions and Esketamine occur in very medicalized, clinical contexts and the treatments emphasize the pharmacological effects of the medication, and rarely include psychotherapy interventions, guidance, integration or other modalities as a significant component of the treatment. We believe that the inclusion of therapy prior, during, and after the Ketamine experience significantly enhances its potential healing effects. Additionally, we believe a less clinical setting that feels safe and comfortable impacts the response to the medicine.

Treatment length varies based on a patient’s specific needs, goals and response to Ketamine-Assisted Therapy. The current literature suggests 4-6 medicine sessions within a course of treatment.

Most often, treatments last somewhere in the range of 3 weeks to 6 months depending on how treatments are spaced out. Some clients return for treatment in the future.

We work with individuals who have received various mental health diagnoses. The most common diagnoses we are working with are mood disorders, particularly treatment-resistant depression, and anxiety.  We will also consider patients with PTSD and other trauma disorders, substance use disorders, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders and other mental health issues on a case-by-case basis.

Based on our treatment philosophies, the benefits KAT offers are most suited to individuals who:

...are looking for a root-cause approach to healing rather than "symptom management"

...feel a sense of readiness to look inward, explore, and be with the parts of themselves that are scary, painful or uncomfortable

...would like to work on being more open and vulnerable in order to connect more deeply with their friends, family and community

...are open to inviting spirituality into their healing journey

We are currently not able to accept insurance to cover this treatment, and are not in-network with any insurance companies. With prior arrangement with your treatment team, we are able to provide you with a Superbill of services provided and payment received. Some insurance policies may reimburse some portion of your treatment as an out-of-network benefit if you submit this Superbill. It is your responsibility to determine your insurance policy’s benefits before the start of treatment.

The cost will vary depending on the treatment plan you create in collaboration with your Riverbird care team. We are very transparent about our costs and you will receive a consent to payment up-front explaining how any services will be charged throughout your treatment. We recognize that cost can be a barrier to some and do our best to make this treatment as accessible as possible while maintaining a sustainable model for our clinicians. If cost is a significant barrier for you, please inquire about our scholarship opportunities.