Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
This is something that changed my life.
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy is a modern approach to traditional therapy and psychiatry involving the thoughtful use of low dose ketamine, a known anesthetic medicine.
Currently the only legal psychedelic medicine, ketamine serves as a potent catalyst for inner healing and transformation.
Ketamine can help shift the mind and open new doors while enhancing multiple neural pathways in your brain.
It is integrated into psychotherapy to help heal past trauma, treat anxiety and depression, gain perspective, change unhelpful habits, and enhance relationships.
"Through working with Dr. Burger, I have gained valuable breakthrough insights that help me navigate life more harmoniously. She strikes the perfect balance between challenging me and providing a safe space where I can heal. Can't recommend highly enough, especially to those underwhelmed by prior experiences with more traditional psychiatric treatments."
- Patient at Driftless Integrative Psychiatry
We offer psychotherapy that will prepare you for your ketamine sessions, encourage you to explore your mind while within the ketamine space, and guide you in integrating your experiences afterwards.
Methods offered include both lozenge and intramuscular forms of ketamine.
You will need to arrange for a trusted person to pick you up and drive you home, or stay within walking distance of the clinic in the charming river town of Lansing, Iowa.
We will schedule a follow-up psychotherapy and integration session within a few days of the ketamine dosing session.
How Long is the Treatment Course for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy?
As with all our treatment modalities we offer, it depends. Every ketamine session is followed by a therapy/integration session. Individuals usually complete 3-6 ketamine sessions with integration therapy sessions after the medicine session however the number of sessions is very individualized.
How is Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Different from IV Ketamine Clinics?
Many IV ketamine providers ask clients to visit the office and undergo six sessions in a medicalized treatment center. They then charge patients accordingly for the treatment primarily run by health professionals without formal training in mental health, who may not have any interest in the consciousness aspects of the drug or understand the importance of psychotherapy integration throughout ketamine sessions. Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy incorporates the inherently spiritual nature of the medicine while providing support and help you change patterns of thinking, mood, and behavior that cause you difficulty and distress. We believe that the psychological component is just as important as the pharmacologic component of ketamine.
Who is Not a Candidate for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy?
Individuals with Bipolar I disorder (mania), psychosis (including schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder), and those with uncontrolled hypertension, unstable angina (chest pain/heart disease), uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, increased intracranial pressure, evidence of liver disease, or a previously demonstrated allergy to ketamine.
Pregnant women are also not eligible due to unknown health effects of ketamine on the fetus.
A medical screening is completed prior to ketamine sessions.
Does insurance cover Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy?
Ketamine has been shown to be effective for a number of psychological issues; however, the use of this medicine is still considered “off label” and ketamine therapy is not explicitly covered by insurance. We provide insurance claims information for you to submit to your insurance (or free and with more ease, through the Reimbursify app) for possible reimbursement. This will depend on your insurance policy.
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy in the News:
Ketamine therapy for post-partum depression - Glamour Magazine
What are the Steps to Starting KAP?
Our treatment team currently consists of Dr. Burger, a medical doctor/psychiatrist, with extensive training in psychotherapy as well as psychopharmacology, who has completed an experiential training and certificate in ketamine assisted psychotherapy. You will meet with Dr. Burger 1-2 times before your first ketamine session.
First Appointment - Medical Screening/Initial Evaluation
Dr. Burger will meet with you to review your medical history, including past medical and psychiatric problems, current and recent medications, social history including your current substance use. We will collect vital signs including blood pressure and pulse. Dr. Burger will also gather information from you about your current and past symptoms, previous mental health treatment, and relevant life history. This visit is in-person or virtual.
Second Appointment - Preparatory Session
In the preparatory session, we will reflect on your goals for treatment and set intentions for your experience. We may also offer and teach breathing exercises and other mindfulness meditation guidance. Informed consent will be discussed in detail. Our goal is to build connection and trust, as well as help create a safe environment in the context of trusting relationships. Importantly, we will also discuss the use of music during the ketamine experience. People often find music helpful, as it grounds them and gives them something familiar to hold onto, and can potentially enhance or direct the experience. This visit can be done over video or in person.
We can also combine the first and second appointments into a 2 hour visit if travel is an issue.
Third-Sixth Appointment: In-office Ketamine Session
In-Office Sublingual Lozenge and/or Intramuscular (IM) Sessions.