About KAP

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

Healing Beyond Symptom Relief

At Summer Sessions Counseling, we believe that meaningful healing happens through connection, intention, and integration—not simply through medication alone. Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) combines the therapeutic benefits of psychotherapy with the neuroplastic effects of ketamine in a structured, supportive, and evidence-informed treatment process.

Our therapists partner with Journey Clinical and collaborating medical providers to offer KAP as part of comprehensive mental health care. While the medical provider evaluates medical eligibility, prescribes ketamine, and oversees medication safety, your Summer Sessions therapist provides preparation, therapeutic support during dosing sessions, and integration to help translate insights into lasting change.

What is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is one form of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (PAT). It combines low-dose ketamine with psychotherapy to help individuals access deeper emotional processing while temporarily increasing the brain's capacity for learning, adaptation, and healing through enhanced neuroplasticity.

Unlike ketamine treatment alone, KAP emphasizes the therapeutic relationship and intentionally integrates the medicine experience into ongoing psychotherapy. The goal is not simply symptom reduction, but lasting emotional growth, healthier coping strategies, and meaningful life changes.

Research has shown ketamine may help individuals who have not responded adequately to traditional treatments, particularly when combined with psychotherapy.

Conditions That May Benefit from KAP

KAP may be appropriate for individuals experiencing:

Treatment-resistant depression
Anxiety disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Complex trauma
Obsessive-compulsive symptoms
Grief and loss
Existential distress
Burnout
Some substance use disorders (when clinically appropriate)

Every individual is unique. Medical eligibility and clinical appropriateness are determined through both psychological and medical assessment.

Our Collaborative Approach

KAP at Summer Sessions Counseling is provided through close collaboration between your therapist and an independent medical provider.

Your therapist provides:

Comprehensive psychological assessment
Preparation sessions
Therapeutic support during dosing sessions
Integration sessions
Ongoing psychotherapy

Your medical provider is responsible for:

Medical evaluation
Determining eligibility
Prescribing ketamine
Medication education
Medical monitoring and follow-up
Managing medical questions or concerns

This collaborative model allows each provider to practice within their area of expertise while supporting your treatment as a team.

The Three Phases of KAP

1. Preparation

Preparation is one of the most important parts of successful KAP.

During preparation sessions, you and your therapist will:

Build a strong therapeutic relationship
Explore your goals and intentions
Review your history and current symptoms
Discuss expectations
Learn grounding and mindfulness skills
Review safety procedures
Develop a personalized treatment plan

Many clients find that the preparation process alone begins meaningful therapeutic work before medication is ever introduced.

2. Dosing Sessions

Ketamine is administered by your medical provider according to your individualized treatment plan. Depending on your treatment, this may involve sublingual lozenges or another medically appropriate route of administration.

During dosing sessions, many individuals experience:

Deep relaxation
Altered perception of time
Dream-like imagery
Emotional insight
Increased self-compassion
Temporary reduction of habitual thought patterns
Opportunities to explore emotions from a new perspective

Your therapist provides a calm, supportive, non-directive therapeutic presence while helping create a safe environment for your experience.

Many clients choose to wear eyeshades and listen to carefully selected music to encourage inward reflection.

3. Integration

Healing happens after the medicine experience.

Integration sessions help you:

Process emotions and insights
Make meaning of your experience
Connect new perspectives with everyday life
Strengthen healthier patterns
Develop practical behavioral changes
Continue trauma healing and personal growth

The Critical Open Period & Neuroplasticity

Following a ketamine session, the brain enters what is often referred to as a "critical open period"—a temporary window of increased neuroplasticity. During this time, the brain is more flexible, receptive, and capable of forming new neural connections.

Ketamine is believed to temporarily reduce activity in the default mode network (DMN)—a network of brain regions associated with self-referential thinking, rumination, and rigid patterns of thought. When the DMN quiets, individuals may experience a loosening of entrenched beliefs, increased cognitive flexibility, and the ability to view themselves and their experiences from new perspectives.

This creates an action window for intentional integration and "rewiring." During this period, the insights gained during dosing sessions can be more effectively translated into lasting change through:

Intentional reflection and meaning-making
Practicing new behaviors and coping strategies
Reinforcing healthier thought patterns
Engaging in supportive therapeutic work
Aligning actions with personal values and goals

Integration sessions are designed to help you make the most of this window by grounding insights into real-world change. Without intentional integration during this period, the brain may gradually return to previous patterns.

Without integration, important therapeutic insights may fade. Integration is considered an essential part of our KAP program and is strongly encouraged following every dosing session.

Safety Comes First

Your safety is our highest priority.

Before participating in KAP, every client undergoes both psychological and medical screening to determine whether treatment is appropriate.

Throughout treatment, clients agree to:

Follow all recommendations from their prescribing medical provider.
Participate honestly in preparation and integration sessions.
Take ketamine only as prescribed.
Avoid misuse, diversion, or combining ketamine with substances contrary to medical advice.
Report changes in medications or medical conditions.
Follow transportation and post-treatment safety requirements.
Participate in ongoing coordination of care when appropriate.

KAP may not be appropriate for everyone. Certain medical or psychiatric conditions may require alternative treatment approaches.

Transportation & Aftercare

Because ketamine temporarily affects judgment, coordination, and reaction time, clients are required to follow safety precautions after dosing sessions.

Depending on your treatment plan, this may include:

Arranging transportation home following in-person dosing sessions.
Having a responsible adult present during telehealth dosing sessions when required by your medical provider.
Avoiding driving, operating machinery, or making important decisions until the effects have fully resolved.
Following all medical and safety recommendations provided by your treatment team.

Detailed safety instructions are reviewed prior to beginning treatment.

Financial Responsibility

Many insurance plans cover standard psychotherapy services; however, insurance generally does not reimburse for the additional clinical time required during extended KAP dosing sessions.

Clients are responsible for payment of therapist time beyond what insurance covers. These fees are discussed in advance and are collected before dosing appointments are scheduled.

Our team is committed to transparent pricing, and we are happy to review expected costs with you before treatment begins.

Informed Consent

Before beginning KAP, every client completes a comprehensive informed consent process. This includes discussion of:

Benefits and potential risks
Alternative treatment options
Medical and psychological considerations
Financial responsibility
Transportation and safety requirements
Coordination of care between providers
Confidentiality and client responsibilities

We encourage questions throughout the process so that you can make an informed decision about whether KAP is right for you.

Is KAP Right for You?

KAP is not a quick fix, nor is it appropriate for everyone. It is best understood as one component of a larger therapeutic process that includes preparation, intentional healing, and integration.

If you are interested in learning whether Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy may be a good fit, speak with your Summer Sessions Counseling therapist or contact our office to schedule a consultation. Together, we can help determine whether KAP aligns with your treatment goals.

Summer Sessions Counseling partners with Journey Clinical and collaborating medical providers to offer Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy through a collaborative model of care. Medical evaluation, prescribing, and medication management are provided by independent licensed medical professionals.

Set & Setting: Creating the Conditions for Healing

One of the foundational principles of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is the concept of Set & Setting. Decades of psychedelic research have demonstrated that a person's mindset ("set") and the environment in which treatment occurs ("setting") can significantly influence the therapeutic experience.

While ketamine itself creates a temporary state of increased neuroplasticity and openness, the quality of the experience is shaped by far more than the medication alone. At Summer Sessions Counseling, we intentionally help clients cultivate both their internal and external environments to support meaningful, safe, and effective therapeutic work.

What is "Set"?

Set refers to your internal state as you enter treatment, including:

Your intentions and goals
Current emotional state
Thoughts, beliefs, and expectations
Personal history and life experiences
Readiness for change
Sense of safety and trust

Preparation sessions are designed to strengthen this internal foundation. Together, you and your therapist will explore your intentions, identify areas of focus, discuss fears or uncertainties, and develop grounding skills that can help you navigate your experience with curiosity and self-compassion.

Rather than trying to "control" the experience, we encourage clients to approach it with openness, flexibility, and a willingness to observe whatever emerges.

What is "Setting"?

Setting refers to the physical, emotional, and interpersonal environment in which treatment occurs.

Whenever possible, we strive to create a setting that supports relaxation, safety, and inward reflection. Depending on your individualized treatment plan, this may include:

A comfortable and calming therapy space
Soft lighting
Comfortable seating or recliner
Eyeshades (if desired)
Carefully selected instrumental music
Minimal distractions
A supportive therapeutic presence
Privacy and emotional safety

For clients participating in medically supervised telehealth KAP, we also discuss how to create a safe and comfortable home environment prior to treatment, including having a responsible support person present when required by the prescribing medical provider.

Trusting the Process

Every ketamine experience is unique.

Some sessions may feel peaceful, insightful, joyful, or expansive. Others may bring forward grief, fear, difficult memories, or strong emotions. None of these experiences are considered "good" or "bad." Often, the experiences that initially feel challenging become some of the most meaningful during integration.

Our therapists are trained to provide a supportive, non-directive presence throughout the experience. Rather than directing your journey, we help create an environment where you can safely explore your own internal healing process.

Integration Completes the Process

Set and Setting do not end when the medicine session concludes.

The days following treatment represent an important period of increased neuroplasticity, during which your brain may be especially receptive to learning, reflection, and new ways of thinking and behaving.

Integration sessions help bridge the medicine experience with everyday life by helping you:

Make meaning of your experience
Reinforce new perspectives
Practice healthier behaviors
Deepen self-awareness
Translate insight into sustainable change

At Summer Sessions Counseling, we view preparation, Set & Setting, the medicine experience, and integration as interconnected parts of one therapeutic process. Together, they create the conditions that support lasting healing—not simply temporary symptom relief.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

What is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)?

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) combines psychotherapy with low-dose ketamine treatment in a structured, therapeutic setting. While ketamine may help increase the brain's capacity for learning and change (neuroplasticity), the psychotherapy before, during, and after treatment helps transform insights into lasting emotional and behavioral growth.

How is KAP different from receiving ketamine alone?

Ketamine treatment alone primarily focuses on the medication's biological effects. KAP intentionally combines those effects with psychotherapy, preparation, and integration to help clients make meaningful and lasting changes. We believe the medicine creates an opportunity for healing—the therapeutic relationship and integration help sustain it.

Who might benefit from KAP?

KAP may be appropriate for individuals experiencing:

Treatment-resistant depression
Anxiety disorders
PTSD and complex trauma
Obsessive-compulsive symptoms
Grief and loss
Existential distress
Burnout
Some substance use disorders (when clinically appropriate)

Not everyone is an appropriate candidate. A comprehensive psychological assessment and medical evaluation are required before treatment begins.

How do I know if I qualify?

Every prospective client completes both a psychological assessment with their therapist and a medical evaluation with a licensed prescribing provider. Your medical history, current medications, psychiatric history, and treatment goals will all be considered before determining whether KAP is appropriate for you.

What does the treatment process look like?

Our KAP program typically includes:

Initial consultation and assessment sessions
Medical screening and evaluation
Preparation sessions
Ketamine dosing sessions
Integration sessions
Ongoing psychotherapy and follow-up

Each treatment plan is individualized based on your goals and clinical needs.

What is preparation?

Preparation sessions help establish safety, build trust, clarify your intentions, and teach grounding skills before a ketamine experience. Many clients find these sessions to be an important part of the therapeutic process, even before medication is introduced.

What happens during a dosing session?

Your therapist remains present throughout the session, providing a calm, supportive environment while allowing your experience to unfold naturally. Many clients choose to wear eyeshades and listen to carefully selected music to encourage inward reflection.

Experiences vary from person to person. Some individuals experience vivid imagery or emotional insight, while others simply notice a sense of calm or increased openness. There is no "right" way to experience ketamine.

Will I lose control or hallucinate?

Ketamine affects everyone differently. Most people remain aware that they are in a treatment setting, although they may experience changes in perception, time, emotions, or internal imagery. Some people describe the experience as dream-like or deeply meditative.

Your therapist is present to support you throughout the process.

Is ketamine safe?

When prescribed and monitored by qualified medical professionals, ketamine has been used safely in medicine for decades. Like any medical treatment, it carries potential risks and side effects.

Before treatment begins, every client completes a medical screening to determine whether KAP is appropriate. Throughout treatment, your therapist and prescribing provider work collaboratively to prioritize your safety.

Can I continue taking my current medications?

Possibly. Some medications are compatible with ketamine treatment, while others may affect its safety or effectiveness.

Never stop or change your medications without consulting your prescribing medical provider. Your treatment team will review your current medications and make individualized recommendations.

Will I receive ketamine in your office?

Depending on your individualized treatment plan and your medical provider's recommendations, ketamine may be administered in the office or through medically supervised at-home treatment. Your therapist and medical provider will discuss the option that is most appropriate for your circumstances.

Will I need someone to drive me home?

For in-person dosing sessions, yes. Because ketamine can temporarily affect coordination, reaction time, and judgment, clients should not drive after treatment.

If your treatment occurs via telehealth, your prescribing provider may require that a responsible adult remain with you throughout the session and for a period afterward. Your treatment team will review all transportation and safety requirements before your first dosing session.

Why are integration sessions so important?

Many of the most meaningful therapeutic changes occur after the medicine session.

Ketamine temporarily creates a period of increased neuroplasticity—a window during which the brain may be more receptive to learning and change. Integration sessions help you process your experience, make meaning of your insights, and intentionally reinforce healthier thoughts, behaviors, and relationships.

Without integration, valuable insights may fade before they can become lasting change.

How many KAP sessions will I need?

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan.

Some individuals experience meaningful improvement after only a few sessions, while others benefit from a longer course of treatment combined with ongoing psychotherapy. Your therapist and medical provider will regularly evaluate your progress and make recommendations based on your goals and response to treatment.

Does insurance cover KAP?

Insurance often covers standard psychotherapy sessions when applicable. However, insurance generally does not reimburse for the additional therapist time required during extended ketamine dosing sessions.

Clients are responsible for fees associated with the additional clinical time beyond insurance coverage. Our office reviews all anticipated costs before treatment begins so there are no surprises.

Is KAP a "magic cure"?

No.

Although many individuals experience significant improvement, KAP is not a quick fix or cure-all. Healing requires preparation, intention, active participation, and integration. The medication creates an opportunity for change—the work you do before, during, and after treatment helps that change become lasting.

Will I continue regular therapy?

Yes. KAP is designed to complement—not replace—ongoing psychotherapy. Continued therapeutic support helps reinforce gains, address new insights, and support long-term wellbeing.

Is KAP confidential?

Yes. Your treatment is protected by the same privacy laws and professional ethical standards that apply to all psychotherapy services. With your written authorization, your therapist may coordinate care with your prescribing medical provider to support safe and effective treatment.

How do I get started?

If you are interested in learning more about Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, speak with your current Summer Sessions Counseling therapist or contact our office to schedule an initial consultation. Together, we'll help determine whether KAP is an appropriate option for your unique needs and goals.

What does "Set & Setting" mean?

"Set" refers to your mindset—your thoughts, emotions, expectations, intentions, and readiness for treatment. "Setting" refers to the environment in which treatment takes place, including the physical space, therapeutic relationship, and sense of safety. Research suggests that both play an important role in shaping a meaningful therapeutic experience.

Why is preparation so important?

Preparation helps establish trust, clarify your intentions, develop grounding skills, and ensure you understand what to expect. It also provides an opportunity to discuss concerns, ask questions, and collaboratively determine whether KAP is the right fit for your goals.

What if I feel anxious before my first session?

Feeling nervous is completely understandable, especially when trying a new treatment. Many clients feel a mixture of hope, curiosity, and uncertainty before their first KAP session.

Your therapist will spend time preparing you beforehand, answering your questions, reviewing the process, and helping you develop strategies to navigate any anxiety that may arise.

What if difficult emotions or memories come up?

Sometimes ketamine allows people to access emotions, memories, or experiences that have been difficult to process through ordinary consciousness.

Although this can feel intense at times, your therapist remains present throughout the session to support you. Integration sessions afterward provide additional space to understand and work with whatever emerged during the experience.

Is it okay if I don't have a profound experience?

Absolutely.

Some individuals have vivid imagery or powerful emotional experiences, while others notice only subtle shifts in perspective, mood, or emotional flexibility. There is no "right" way to experience KAP.

Meaningful therapeutic change often develops gradually over multiple sessions and through thoughtful integration rather than during a single medicine experience.

Should I set an intention before treatment?

Many people find it helpful to enter treatment with an intention rather than a specific expectation.

An intention might be a question you'd like to explore, a quality you'd like to cultivate, or an area of your life you'd like to better understand. Unlike a goal, an intention provides gentle direction while remaining open to whatever arises during the experience.

Will my therapist guide my experience?

Your therapist's role is not to direct or interpret your experience while it is happening. Instead, they provide a calm, supportive, and grounding presence that allows you to safely explore your own inner process.

Interpretation and meaning-making are typically reserved for integration sessions after the medicine experience.

Why do many people wear eyeshades and listen to music?

Eyeshades and carefully selected instrumental music can help reduce external distractions and encourage inward reflection. They are optional but are commonly used because many people find they support a deeper therapeutic experience.

Can I listen to my own music?

Possibly.

Your therapist will discuss music preferences with you before treatment. Some clients choose curated instrumental playlists designed for psychedelic-assisted therapy, while others prefer personally meaningful music. Music selections should support relaxation and inward reflection rather than create distraction.

What should I do after my session?

Many clients benefit from keeping the remainder of the day as quiet and restorative as possible.

We often encourage clients to:

Rest and hydrate.
Journal or create art if inspired.
Spend time in nature if appropriate.
Avoid major decisions or emotionally demanding activities.
Limit social media and excessive screen time.
Attend their scheduled integration session while the experience is still fresh.

These practices can help support the brain's period of increased neuroplasticity and reinforce meaningful therapeutic change.

Medication Management & Prescribing

Summer Sessions Counseling provides psychotherapy services only and does not prescribe, dispense, store, transport, administer, or manage ketamine or any other medication.

All medication-related services—including medical evaluation, prescribing, pharmacy coordination, dosing instructions, medication storage, refills, and medical monitoring—are provided solely by your licensed prescribing medical provider and the dispensing pharmacy.

At no time is ketamine medication stored, handled, transported, dispensed, or maintained by any Summer Sessions Counseling office, therapist, employee, contractor, or staff member. Clients are responsible for obtaining and safeguarding their prescribed medication in accordance with the instructions provided by their prescribing medical provider and dispensing pharmacy.

Summer Sessions Counseling clinicians do not provide medical advice regarding medication dosing, changes to prescribed medications, potential drug interactions, or other medical concerns. Questions regarding medication, side effects, dosage, or medical safety should be directed to your prescribing medical provider.

Our role is to provide psychotherapy before, during, and after ketamine treatment, including preparation, therapeutic support during dosing sessions, and integration, while collaborating with your medical provider—with your written authorization—to support safe, coordinated, and effective care.