Description
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 hrs. 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 my
work with Journey Clinical we only use the sublingual lozenge form.
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 lying 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.
How Does Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Work?
1. Initial consultation 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.
2. Preparation sessions:
Once you receive your ketamine lozenges, we will schedule time together
for our 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 to align on
the process and set intentions for our KAP sessions together.
3. KAP Dosing Session:
A typical ketamine dosing session lasts between 1-2 hours and can take
place remotely via telehealth.
During a dosing session, you will self-administer your ketamine lozenge
in your home. You will be in a comfortable, reclining
position wearing an eye mask and listening to calming music. Although a
KAP dosing session may be largely an internal experience, I will be
remotely present with you the entire time to hold space and provide support as
needed.
4. Integration Sessions:
After our KAP dosing session, we will meet for multiple integration therapy
sessions to review the memories, thoughts & insights that arose during
your dosing session, and to prepare for the next dosing session.
5. Follow-up consultations with Journey Clinical:
After our 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.
Follow-up Consultations with Journey Clinical :
After our 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
Group Therapist
Drew Rabidoux Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York and Texas. Many of Drew’s clients come in to address past relationship or dating issues or trauma that is impacting being in a new healthy relationship.
Drew is trained in Gestalt, mindfulness, CBT, in which we examine patterns and beliefs and how they are impacting the way you live in the world. In session, Drew focuses on grounding exercises for panic, awareness of thoughts/patterns, homework, and journaling.. This approach supports clients to feel more confident in relationships and with yourself. They will feel more confident to identify unhealthy patterns and address them themselves. Drew is certified in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) and offers it remotely individually or in groups.
Drew's style is active, engaging, warm, humor infused, and goal oriented. . When clients first start therapy, she will establish a strong relationship and work to understand your history and how it impacts your current challenges. After getting to know you, Drew is not a sit and nod therapist. Drew is committed to you living your best life and honoring yourself and your desires. Drew will help you figure out the patterns that are holding you back and will call you out on your stuff. She knows you are going to therapy to improve your life, so she wants to get to work!
Drew has been in the social service field for almost 30 years and participated in a 2 year Clinical fellowship at Gestalt Associates for Psychotherapy. Previously she was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic. Outside of private practice, she enjoys karaoke, brunch with friends, and trips with her family. Drew is providing virtual counseling for people located in NY and TX and in person in Rochester, NY.
