Courageous You Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Program Details
So you’re feeling ready to start ketamine-assisted therapy?
Then you’ve come to the right place. Welcome to the Courageous You Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy program, which all takes place from the comfort of your own home. Courageous You is founded by me, Sarah Wolfer, LICSW, and Certified Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapist and I am happy to help guide you along this next step of your healing journey.
Courageous You is based in Seattle Washington and is led by me, Sarah Wolfer; a licensed clinical psychotherapist with specialized training and lived experience around working with partner(s), queer folx, and non-monogamous humans. My life’s work is to provide safe and supportive spaces for queer and non-monogamous humans to explore their inner world and find the healing they need to live a fulfilling life. Courageous You is dedicated to realizing this mission by providing trauma-informed psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for those who are part of these communities.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a legal, safe, and effective treatment for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD when used under the guidance of clinicians. Its antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects are rapid, often beginning within 1-2 hours after treatment. Ketamine works by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain and indirectly stimulating AMPA receptors, which helps form new synaptic connections and strengthens neural circuits that regulate stress and mood. This action enhances overall neuroplasticity, leading to lasting improvements in symptoms. Ketamine can be administered in various ways, including IV infusion, intramuscular injection, intranasal spray, and sublingual lozenges. In my work with Journey Clinical, we exclusively use the sublingual lozenge form. This involves dissolving a small tablet in your mouth, swishing it for 12 minutes, and then spitting it out. If eligible for the program, a doctor at Journey Clinical will prescribe the medication, which will be sent to your home by a compounding pharmacy.
Why Ketamine-Assisted Therapy?
Ketamine has a demonstrated efficacy in treating depression, particularly treatment- resistant depression and suicidal ideation. Ketamine has also been shown to alleviate symptoms of chronic anxiety, adjustment disorder, and PTSD. There has been emerging research that suggests Ketamine can also help those experiencing addiction, bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
While research into ketamine treatment is still ongoing, it is understood that it works on a neurotransmitter called Glutamate (known as our “brain fertilizer”), which leads to the production of an important growth factor that helps the brain repair damaged neurons affected by stress and mental illness. This creates a neuroplastic window after a ketamine treatment, which people can use to shift internal patterns and behaviors/relational dynamics that maybe previously felt much more stuck. Ketamine treatment can improve mood within hours/ days and cause the regeneration of nerve cells over time. I talk with clients about the idea of “seizing the neuroplastic window” after a KAP treatment because the shifts one makes during that neuroplastic window will help the brain/body establish new, more adaptive patterns that are more likely to stick.
I provide ketamine assisted therapy to individuals, couples, and polycules, and I occasionally offer KAP in a group setting as well. My approach is flexible based on client needs, but most clients start with 2-4 preparation sessions (50-minute sessions) and then dosing sessions (typically 2.5 – 3 hours) every 1-4 weeks, based on need. Each dosing session will be followed by an integration session (50 minutes) the next day. Most clients start with 6-8 dosing sessions, but the program is flexible based on clinical need and financial considerations.
Preparation and Integration sessions can be covered by insurance (if I am paneled with your provider) in 2024. I can also provide you with a superbill for plans I am not in network with, and you can use your HSA card to pay for all KAP sessions. My current private pay rate is $165/ 50-minute session. Dosing sessions unfortunately are not currently covered by insurance, and my current rate is $495 for the 2.5-3 hour session.
I provide the therapy side, and I coordinate with Journey Clinical for the medical side. They handle the screening and eligibility to ensure you are a good fit for ketamine treatment as well as prescription and medical follow-ups.
I currently have one upcoming virtual ketamine-assisted therapy group scheduled for those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community in WA state. This will take place starting in January 2025 and there are limited spots available to keep the space as safe as possible. Check out more information HERE.
To discuss all your KAP options, you can schedule a free consult with me, Sarah, by email at info@courageousyou.us!