Ways we use Ketamine
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy is a process of preparation, experience with the medicine and integration of the material that emerges. We can use this medicine in a few different ways to process all types of trauma and lessen symptoms that keeping us from living the lives we want and deserve.
Psycholytic Dose (Low Dose): These are low doses of ketamine that allow the client to be awake, aware and able to engage in therapy. This helps to soften our “protective” parts that often keep us from accessing deeper issues we would like to work on. This is often combined with Brainspotting, EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS).
Psychedelic Dose (High Dose): These are higher doses of ketamine that relaxes the ego and allows the client to access a deeper sense of self and the material they are hoping to process. Clients are usually lying down, wearing eye shades and listening to music.
We offer Ketamine Assisted Therapy in Two Formats:
Individual Ketamine Assisted Therapy
Group Ketamine Assisted Therapy
Review this document for a quick overview of Contraindications to Ketamine Assisted Therapy.
All KAP Sessions are with Melanie Reese, LMFT, CCTP
Treatment Process
If you are a client that is not currently working with Melanie or it has been 12+ months since your last session, you will need to meet via Zoom for an initial session that is typically 30 minutes. This allows us to start building a connection, answer questions and make sure this is the absolute best time for you (and your nervous system) to do a Ketamine Assisted Therapy. This work is difficult and vulnerable, yet beautiful and rewarding. Trust and safety in the person holding space and guiding you through such a process is important. This is a time for you to see how you feel engaging with me and ensure that I am the best fit for you as well!
If it is determined that KAT is a good fit, you will be connected with a Physician or Nurse Practitioner that I know and trust for a medical screening. This will address any medical concerns, dosing and treatment options. I will work closely with this provider throughout the process. Scheduling and financial arrangements for medical screenings are coordinated directly with the medical provider and subject to change.
KAP Medical Evaluation & Screening: $250
Medicine , Monitoring & Administration the day of KAT Session: $275
The client’s trauma history, experience in therapy, emotional flexibility, coping skills and experience with non-ordinary states are all taken into consideration in determining how many preparation sessions are needed. It is important to not rush the process to maximize its usefulness. Preparation is typically accomplished in 1-2 sessions. We address any concerns, learn grounding and mindfulness techniques, set intentions and most importantly, create safety within our therapeutic relationship. We aim to accomplish the following in Preparation Sessions:
1.5-hr Session: Establish goals & intentions, review informed consent, safety & logistics, psychologically prepare,
1-hr Brainspotting Session: This gives you practice in accessing deeper material, that is similar to psychedelic therapy approaches. You choose the topic you’d like to explore.
Extra sessions may be scheduled if you would like to further build trust, ask any questions about ketamine, do more Brainspotting or talk about anything you would like. You may also join our Prep & Integration Group ($50 per session). I encourage you to trust yourself about what you need to feel ready.
Clients may schedule preparation sessions as needed following the initial KAT Session. They are not required after your first KAT session.
Research shows us that 4-8 KAP sessions create best outcomes, but it is always up to the individual’s needs and therapy goals to determine the number of sessions. These sessions take place in an office specifically designed and curated for KAT sessions with medical professionals and safety medical equipment on the premises. The setting is important for this work, as it serves as a support for the healing you will be doing and the experience you have with this medicine. Therefore, it is not a “clinical” setting you might typically see at a doctor’s office, rather an inviting and cozy environment! These sessions begin with reviewing intentions for the journey, a meditation and invitation to connect with the mind-body and then medicine is administered. I will be with you throughout the session, taking notes, holding safe space, providing emotional support and attending to any needs as they arise. As your journey comes to an end, the integration begins! Clients begin sharing their experience, we may engage with Brainspotting and we ground ourselves. These sessions are typically 2 hours.
One of the most important aspects of this work is the integration of your experience. In order to get the most from your dosing sessions, it’s is highly recommended to schedule an integration session within 48-72 hours of your KAT session. The neuroplasticity of your brain and nervous system are at its highest during this time, so is our ability form new thought patters! Clients are provided lots of resources for preparation and integration that is highly encouraged to engage with outside of these sessions. It is also highly encouraged that you discuss this work with your primary therapist and use those sessions to process difficult material that may have come up during your sessions. You may also schedule additional integration sessions or join our weekly Group Preparation & Integration, as needed. Everyone moves through this differently and I trust and encourage you to check in with what you need.
*If you need additional support, we also have highly trained trauma therapists in my practice that are available. ($100-145 per 50-min session)
Is Melanie Qualified to do this work?
This is an important question! In order to create the safety needed, I know it’s important for some to know exactly what qualifies me to work in this capacity. For that purpose, I will share my experience below. If working with a provider with more experience would be better suited for you, I am happy to connect you with another provider!
- First and foremost, my training and over 10 years of experience as a trauma therapist and my personal experiences with psychedelics have been my biggest teachers in how I work with clients in this space.
- I have trained with MAPS for MDMA Assisted Therapy and stopped short of the 1 week in-person experience due to COVID and plan to complete this in the next cohort with MAPS.
- I have completed the program with the Psychedelic Coalition for Health: Psychedelic Assisted Therapy & Integration Training + Psychedelic Medicine Education & Advocacy. This gave me hands on experience in facilitating psychedelic journeys and learned from some of the best in this field about working with psychedelic medicine, including Lauren Taus, Rick Doblin, Carl Hart, Omid Naim, Ben Malcom, to name a few!
- I am currently in on-going trainings with a ketamine specific training program with Polaris Insight Center, one of the leading training institutes in the field of Ketamine Assisted Therapy.
- I am a Co-Founder and board member of a legal Psychedelic Church in Alabama (my home state!). Our mission is to provide safe and legal access to psychedelic medicine for the purposes of personal healing and growth.
- I am also involved in local and international consultation groups and community groups that support practitioners working with with psychedelic medicines.
treatment costs
As a therapist, it is important for me to look for specific ways I can increase accessibility to quality mental health care for those in financial need, and I wholeheartedly support this mission.
Those with a financial barrier to accessing this treatment have a more affordable option through our Ketamine Assisted Therapy Groups. While this is not a replacement for individual work, it can provide its own unique healing experience.
If your insurance covers out of network providers, you may be eligible for reimbursement. The best way to find out is to call your insurance company and ask. If your plan covers out of network providers, we can send you a superbill receipt and you may be eligible for reimbursement. Websites like https://getbetter.co/ or https://reimbursify.com/ can help with this.
Thank You Life is a non-profit organization working to eliminate the financial barrier for those seeking psychedelic therapy services. https://thankyoulife.org/
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Clients may choose the length of time for preparation and integrations sessions (1-hr or 1.5-hr). Our first KAT dosing session will be 2.5 hours. Subsequent dosing sessions are typically 2-hrs, depending on the individual needs of the client. Pricing is based on my standard hour session rate of $200.
1-Hour Preparation & Integration Sessions: $200
1.5-Hour Preparation & Integration Sessions: $300
2-Hour Ketamine Assisted Therapy Sessions: $400
Important Notes:
Ready to get Started?
If you haven’t already, check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more information about Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. For more information or to schedule an appointment, email: Admin@TraumaTherapyNashville.com