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 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.

● Ketamine can be administered in a variety of ways, including IV infusion, intramuscular injection, via nasal spray and using sublingual lozenges. In our work with Journey Clinical we only use the sublingual lozenge form. Using the sublingual method allows for a predictable arch of the experience that lasts just 45-50 minutes which is perfect for pairing with therapy compared to other methods of administering the medicine which cause a much longer lasting effect.

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 laying 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 Journey Clinical?

● Journey Clinical is a platform for licensed psychotherapists to incorporate science-based psychedelic therapies in their practice safely and effectively, starting with Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). Journey Clinical’s in-house medical team takes on patient eligibility, prescriptions and outcome monitoring, while the Moon Collective Sanctuary’s in-house licensed psychotherapists take on the therapy. Their collaborative care model is designed to deliver personalized treatment plans to meet your individual needs and improve long-term outcomes.

What is the Consultation Process with Journey Clinical?

● 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 develop a personalized Ketamine prescription and outcome monitoring plan for you.

● Journey Clinical’s medical staff 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.

What are Preparation Session Like?

● Once you receive your ketamine lozenges, the Moon Collective Sanctuary’s therapist will schedule time together for your KAP preparation, dosing and integration sessions. Preparation session(s) will be scheduled just like regular therapy sessions prior to the KAP dosing session. The goal of a preparation session(s) is for you and your therapist to align on the process and set intentions for your KAP session(s).

What Can I Expect During the KAP Dosing Sessions?

● A typical ketamine dosing session lasts between 1-2 hours and can take place either in-person at the Moon Collective Sanctuary or remotely via telehealth.

● During a dosing session, you will self-administer your ketamine lozenge either in our center or in your home. You will be in a comfortable, reclining position wearing an eye pillow and listening to calming music. Although a KAP dosing session may be largely an internal experience, your therapist will be present with you the entire time to hold space and provide support as needed.

What Happens After the KAP Dosing Session?

Integration Sessions:

● After your KAP dosing session, you and your therapist will meet for multiple integration therapy sessions to review the memories, thoughts and insights that arose during your dosing session, and to prepare for the next dosing session.

Follow-up consultations with Journey Clinical:

● After your first KAP session, Journey Clinical’s medical team schedules regular follow ups with you to monitor outcomes and prescribe ketamine lozenge refills, as appropriate. The frequency of follow ups depends on your unique treatment plan, at a minimum of once per quarter.

What Is the Cost of Treatment?

● Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is an affordable, accessible modality. Although the medical intake and follow ups are not covered by insurance, you may be eligible for out-of-network reimbursement (ask us how during your complimentary consult call with our team).

• Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

  • Our typical rate for an individual KAP session is $200-300/session (depends on length of session).

  • Our typical rate for a group KAP session is $150/session

  • Sliding scale fee is available, upon request

  • If you have a PPO health plan, we may be able to access your out-of-network benefits to cover some of the psychotherapy cost.

• Journey Clinical Medical Costs (accepts the following insurance for medical appointments: Aetna, Anthem, Blue Shield of California, Magellan [for Medication Management services only]).

  • First-time patients

    • Initial medical consultation with Journey Clinical: $250

    • Cost of medication: $85 (enough for 2 sessions)

  • Ongoing treatment

    • Follow-up medical consultation with Journey Clinical $150 (at least 1X per quarter)

    • Cost of medication: $145 (enough for up to 6 sessions)

How Do I Sign Up?

● If you would like to explore the possibility of working with us on KAP, please contact us or schedule a complimentary consultation call to discuss eligibility and next steps.