Three Rivers Mental Health partners with psychotherapists trained in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) to provide ketamine sublingual lozenge prescriptions for use during therapy sessions.

Ketamine is a Schedule III medication that has long been used safely as an anesthetic and analgesic agent, and has been found to have rapid antidepressant effects. A form of ketamine (esketamine as Spravato) was approved for use in treatment resistant depression by the FDA in March 2019. Currently ketamine is also utilized as “off-label” treatment for various psychiatric conditions including depression, PTSD and other psychiatric diagnoses.

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What is KAP or Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy?

KAP is, above all, an intensive psychotherapy that gets to core feelings and rewires emotional memories. We are not an infusion clinic. Ketamine lowers anxiety and helps us bypass defenses, giving us access to deep feelings. At one time we needed the protection of defenses and anxiety, but today they are activated automatically, underneath our awareness, and keep us stuck. Once they are soothed, a natural healing orientation is released.

Researchers have called this ‘inner healing intelligence’, but we think of it as a human’s innate orientation to healing, connection, empowerment and curiosity, so clear in childhood but stifled in difficult or traumatic development. KAP certainly also has a psychedelic component, that releases us from those stuck pathways, probably through temporary modulation of a specific serotonergic gate; and it also enhances new learning through glutamine mechanisms, so that we can quickly learn new habits.

Who can benefit from KAP?

Our treatment model can help individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, and other rigid psychological patterns to heal. There are now several robust studies showing effectiveness in the treatment of alcohol dependence, trauma and depression. This is not an FDA approved treatment. There are no studies comparing intravenous clinics with KAP. We believe this is more effective, alongside many of our patients and many other patients across the world who have benefited from this approach.

How does it work?

We see patients in our practice for a psychiatric and medical clearance of oral ketamine. If you are already a patient at Three Rivers Mental Health, you still need to be seen for this separate visit. This visits lasts about 45-60 mins and is a comprehensive medical and psychiatric review. Cost $375. NON REFUNDABLE regardless if we clear you or not. Visits can be done remotely or in person.
If cleared to receive treatment, we will then provide a prescription for ketamine oral treatment. This will be enough for one session of treatment. We use ketamine lozenges.
Additional refills for more sessions will require a 15 minute consult follow up appointment and costs $150
Once cleared, we will have a conversation with your psychotherapist.​

PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT PROVIDE KETAMINE FOR AT-HOME USE.