Ketamine-Assisted Therapy (KAT)
Ketamine-Assisted Therapy
At Soul Voyage, ketamine is utilized as part of our innovative and comprehensive approach to mental health and wellness. Ketamine, originally an anesthetic, has been extensively researched for its transformative effects in treating conditions such as depression, PTSD, and chronic pain when administered under professional supervision. Our team of healthcare specialists integrates ketamine therapy into personalized treatment plans, ensuring its use is both safe and effective. By combining traditional medical practices with cutting-edge treatments, Soul Voyage aims to support holistic healing and offer hope to those who have not found relief through conventional therapies.
At Soul Voyage, we integrate emerging treatments like ketamine therapy alongside traditional medical and wellness practices to provide holistic care. Ketamine has shown promising results in treating various mental health conditions, particularly when other treatments have been ineffective. Specifically, ketamine is used to treat: - Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) - Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (cPTSD)
-ADHD (Because most neurodivergents live with undiagnosed cPTSD as well)
- Phobias - Bipolar Depression
- Borderline Personality Disorder - Anxiety Disorders Our approach at Soul Voyage ensures that each treatment plan is tailored to the individual's unique needs, leveraging the latest advancements in mental health care for optimal outcomes. If you're considering ketamine therapy, our specialized team can guide you through the process for a comprehensive and personalized care experience.
Studies now show that there is an overwhelming link between neurodiversity and a family history of trauma. Furthermore, that trauma does not even have to have been experienced in your generation. It could have been a generation or two back. Additionally, simply HAVING a neurodiverse brain means you've likely experienced the trauma that is intrinsic to just having to adjust to a world not built for your brain.
There are various methods for ketamine administration, each tailored to provide optimal therapeutic effects depending on individual needs. Sublingual ketamine involves placing the medication under the tongue, where it is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. This method is less invasive and allows for easy self-administration under medical guidance. It provides a slower onset and a more prolonged, steady absorption compared to other methods. Intravenous (IV) ketamine, administered directly into the bloodstream through a vein, typically offers the fastest and most controlled onset of relief, making it ideal for acute intervention. Intramuscular (IM) injections deliver the medication into the muscle, also leading to rapid absorption but with a slightly slower onset compared to IV. Lastly, nasal ketamine involves spraying the medication into the nasal passages, providing a relatively quick onset and ease of use, but it can sometimes lead to variability in absorption. Each method has its own unique benefits and potential drawbacks. At this time, Soul Voyage offers sublingual ketamine in conjunction with treatment as it offers a powerful experience which can be safely self-administered by the patient directly.
Soul Voyage is currently looking to partner with local prescribers to explore the possibility of offering IV and IM ketamine.
The process begins with a thorough consultation to determine if ketamine-assisted therapy is the right fit for you. If deemed a fit, we connect clients with Skylight Psychedelics to meet with a doctor for medical intake. After the client is thoroughly briefed on safety procedures and "flight instructions", a tailored prescription is sent via mail to the client's home. Clients agree to a treatment contract with both Skylight Psychedelics and Soul Voyage Counseling which includes the firm understanding that medications are taken ONLY in the therapist's office. Therapist and prescriber are in regular contact to ensure the safety contract is followed.
During a KAT prep session, the therapist will explain what to expect, answer any questions, and work with the client to design a personal "opening ceremony" for each medicine session. The therapist may also introduce a number of other therapy modalities which complement KAT such as art therapy, internal family systems, authenticity therapy, and various techniques that directly treat trauma.
During a session, a client will administer their own ketamine via a dissolvable sublingual lozenge. They are then closely monitored throughout the experience to ensure their safety and comfort. The effects of ketamine can induce a state of deep relaxation and heightened introspection, often leading to breakthroughs in therapy that might not be achievable through conventional methods. Our compassionate team at Soul Voyage provides pre-session and post-session support to help you integrate your experiences and maximize the benefits of the therapy. We believe in treating the whole person, addressing not only the symptoms but also the root causes of mental health challenges. This emerging treatment is just one of the many innovative approaches we offer to support your journey towards healing and well-being.
Ketamine is among the safest medicines we can utilize in western medicine. It is used to treat children, pregnant women, and ER patients who need emergency surgery and are not capable of providing a medical history. Since ketamine is usually used as an anesthetic to accompany surgical procedures with much higher doses than are ever administered at Soul Voyage. It is a Schedule III medication according to the FDA, meaning it carries very low risks.
Although considered an extremely safe medicine, it is essential to be aware of the potential risks involved. Ketamine-assisted therapy can sometimes lead to side effects, including nausea, dizziness, increased heart rate, and elevated blood pressure. Alongside Skylight Psychedelics, our highly trained healthcare consultants carefully screen each client and tailor the therapy to minimize these risks. We ensure that all treatments are administered in a controlled, professional setting to provide the utmost safety and efficacy for our clients' unique needs. If you have any concerns or would like more information, our team is always available to discuss the best approach for your journey towards wellness.
The FDA classifies ketamine as a Schedule III drug, meaning it has low-to-moderate potential for abuse or chemical dependence. In fact, ketamine can be used to TREAT addiction . This is because any addiction is simply the "fruit" of the "trauma tree". By treating the underlying psychological/emotional pain of trauma, we are able to treat addiction at it's "root", whether that addiction be to a substance, video games, or other people (codependency).
However, because ketamine can provide what feels like a brief escape from reality, that feeling can become addictive. At Soul Voyage, we pay close attention to whether a client is running "towards healing" or running "away from pain". The latter is short-term and ineffective, and our therapists are trained to address this with clients if there is a concern. Ketamine is meant to be a SHORT-TERM treatment, usually only 6-10 medicine treatments, with occasional "tune-ups" as needed in the future.
Much of your ketamine-assisted therapy CAN be covered by insurance! Your therapy intake, prep sessions, and post-medicine integration sessions are all covered by insurance. Medicine sessions can last 1.5-3 hours, of which one hour is covered by insurance. Any treatment that is not covered by your insurance, we will still offer you at your insurance company's rates.*
Skylight Psychedelics is licensed in all 50 states, and so you may be able to submit their invoices via superbill to your insurance company. If not, there is a one-time charge of $499 for their medical intake, plus the cost of the medicine which is generally under $20.
*Cost through insurance varies and insurance coverage is never guaranteed by Soul Voyage. Please consult your individual insurance plan.