I offer a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in partnership with an organization called Journey Clinical. I have always been a non-drug person and have not used psychedelics recreationally. I have worked with Trauma in my practice for 25 years and found several types of clients for whom Western medicine isn’t helping them to heal. After reviewing the research and studies on people with Complex PTSD and resistant depression being helped with KAP, I became interested in how I can help. I’m inspired to provide KAP as a therapeutic modality after training with Fluence and Journey Clinical. I plan to aid my own practice members in finding relief from severe symptoms of anxiety, depression and PTSD.
I have experience in having my client’s use their prescription for ketamine to help them with severe unipolar depression (major depression), bipolar depression, suicidal ideation, OCD, pain with depression, and a number of other difficulties. I’m also very interested in the use of ketamine as an adjunct to psychotherapy for personal exploration.*
The legal status of racemic (generic) ketamine is complex and involves multiple regulatory agencies. With respect to the DEA, ketamine is legal in Schedule III. With respect to the FDA, ketamine is FDA-approved for anesthesia, but it is not currently FDA-approved for any psychiatric or psychological indication; however, it can be used legally as an “off-label” treatment when certain criteria are met. To further complicate the picture, one enantiomer of ketamine (called “esketamine”) received FDA approval in 2019 for the treatment of refractory depression.
What is Ketamine?
● 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?
- 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.
- 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.
- KAP Dosing Session: A typical ketamine dosing session lasts between 2-3 hours and can take place either in-person at my office, or remotely via telehealth. During a dosing session, you will self-administer your ketamine lozenge either in my office or 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 present with you the entire time to hold space and provide support as needed.
- 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. It is important to have an Integration session within 24-72 hours after dosing. - Follow-up consultations with Journey Clinical:
After our first KAP session, the Journey Clinical 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, the Journey Clinical 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.
What is the Cost of Treatment?
● Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is an affordable, accessible modality. Although the medical intake and follow ups are not covered by insurance, they are eligible for out-of-network reimbursement.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
■ My typical hourly rate is $235/hr (Psychotherapy is reimbursable through PPO only, I am out-of-network). Note: sliding scale available for extended session on a need-based basis.
Summary of Treatment Fees
Treatment with Yolanda Yturralde, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
- $265 for the first 60-minute assessment and diagnostic session
- $235 per 45-50-minute therapy session
- $400 per 90-minute therapy session
- $705 per 3 hour Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy journey session
- $235 for Integration therapy session
Journey Clinical Medical Costs
■ Medical Intake: $250 (One time fee, reimbursable through out-of-network)
■ Follow-up Sessions with Journey Clinical: $150/Session (minimum of 1/quarter, reimbursable through out-of-network)
■ Cost of Ketamine Lozenges: $75 for approximately 4-6 lozenges (not covered by insurance)
How Do I Get Started & See If I Qualify for this Treatment?
If you would like to explore the possibility of working with me on KAP, please e-mail me at Yolanda.MFT@gmail.com to discuss eligibility and next steps.
What is Journey Clinical?
Journey Clinical is a platform for licensed psychotherapists to incorporate science-based psychedelic therapies in their practice safely and effectively, starting with Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). Journey Clinical’s in-house medical team takes on patient eligibility, prescriptions and outcome monitoring, while I take on the therapy. Their collaborative care model is designed to deliver personalized treatment plans to meet your individual needs and improve long-term outcomes.
Helpful Resources:
1. Paradigms of Ketamine Treatment by Raquel Bennett, Psy.D. for MAPS
2. Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP): Patient Demographics, Clinical Data and Outcomes in Three Large Practices Administering Ketamine with Psychotherapy – research study by Jennifer Dore et al, 2018
3. Ketamine for Depression and Mood Disorders by Erica Zelfand, ND for Townsend Letter
4. Ketamine-Facilitated Psychotherapy for Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression by goop
5. Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy with Jonathan Sabbagh of Journey Clinical – Psychology Talk Podcast
Contact me today!
Yolanda is accepting new clients. Sessions are available in person or through a Secure SimplePractice Telehealth site for California residents. Call or send a message through this website under Contact link
Yolanda Yturralde, MFT
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(323) 362-2177
Email
Office Hours: M-F 9am-4pm by appointment. See About page for Fees and Services.
CA License No. MFC36018.
Therapy for Transformation 