I added the Expert Psychotherapy Add-on to my care program. What should I know?

All ketamine care programs include a "Meet Your Therapist" introductory psychotherapy session.

However, with our Expert Psychotherapy Add-on, you can access additional support for your healing journey. This add-on bundle is $525 (valued at $575 when sessions are purchased separately). Please note that this add-on is exclusive to patients paying out-of-pocket via our Self-Pay option. If you're paying with insurance, you can schedule add-on therapy sessions individually.

The add-on bundle offers three extra one-on-one psychotherapy sessions, consisting of:

• A 30-minute Preparation Session
• A 120-minute Psychotherapist-Led Ketamine Treatment Session (also known as Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) or Supervised Dosing Session (SDS))
• A 30-minute Integration Session

While research demonstrates that psychotherapy, provided before, during, and/or following ketamine sessions, can optimize ketamine benefits, incorporating psychotherapy into your ketamine program is optional at Innerwell. As such, we've outlined a suggested scheduling flow below, but it's not mandatory to use your appointments for your initial ketamine session.

"Meet Your Therapist" Session:

This will be your initial appointment with your therapist, providing an opportunity for you to get to know each other and discuss how therapy can help you maximize the benefits of ketamine. Schedule this session after completing your Medical Consult with your psychiatric clinician.

• During your "Meet Your Therapist" session, you’ll review the reasons you’re seeking treatment at Innerwell, your program goals, and relevant aspects of your mental health history. While you may have touched on some of these topics with your psychiatric clinician, you and your therapist will delve deeper into aspects of your life that are particularly important for your upcoming ketamine-assisted psychotherapy sessions.

Preparation Session:

Preparation sessions are a chance to work with your therapist to ensure that you go into ketamine experiences with a clear mind and an openness. It’s normal to feel nervous and excited about your upcoming experiences, and preparation sessions are a good opportunity to discuss these feelings. Schedule this session after completing your "Meet Your Therapist" session but before your first dose/at-home ketamine experience.

• During your preparation session, your therapist will review what to expect during your ketamine sessions. You’ll cover logistical elements like how to prepare a comfortable space and minimize distractions, while also discussing the role that music plays in your experience and how you might set an intention for your experience. Some people like to set a very specific intention for their journey (“I’d like clarity on whether I should accept this new job”), and others take a broader perspective (“I’d like to feel more grounded”).
• Preparing for your ketamine sessions with your therapist will ensure that you go into your journeys with a clear mind and an openness to the healing process they offer. It's a chance to address any nervousness or excitement and understand how the unique combination of ketamine and psychotherapy can lead to significant changes in your life.

Psychotherapist-Led Ketamine Treatment Session:

During a ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) session (sometimes also referred to as Supervised Dosing Session (SDS)), your therapist will join you via Zoom while you prepare your room for your experience (your “setting”), review your intention for your journey (your “set”), guide you through a meditation while you swish the medicine, and then start a curated playlist for you. Your therapist is expertly trained in working with the insights and emotions that can arise during your ketamine experience, and they’ll be with you every step of the way to help you process. Schedule this session for when you plan to have an at-home ketamine experience.

• Your KAP session is the catalyst for healing and achieving your treatment goals. Your therapist will be your co-captain during your experience, ensuring your safety and comfort, adjusting the music to your liking, and providing support when needed.
• The nature of your experience during the session can vary based on your ketamine dose, mindset, and intention. Some may remain in a state of quiet contemplation or relaxation, while others may feel energetic and talkative. There's no "right" way to experience ketamine, and your journey should be largely self-directed.
• It’s helpful to maintain a sense of curiosity throughout your session, observing the thoughts, feelings, and sensations that arise without judgment. You might experience states of bliss or pure joy. You might have epiphanies or see aspects of your life from different perspectives. You might also experience emotionally difficult moments, but rest assured these are transient and part of the healing process. Think of the ketamine experience as a break from your usual state of mind, an opportunity to press pause on negative thought cycles.

Ketamine Integration Session:

Integration sessions are a chance for you to reflect on your ketamine experiences with the support of your therapist. These sessions should be timed to maximize the neuroplasticity engendered by ketamine. For maximum benefit, you should take your prescribed ketamine 24-72 hours before your scheduled Integration Session.

• Your integration sessions are a chance for you to reflect on your ketamine experiences with the support of your therapist. Often, a narrative thread emerges across experiences, and your therapist is specially trained to help you connect the dots.
• Your therapist can assist in interpreting metaphors that arise and guide you in integrating the meanings from your experiences into your daily life. You may feel inspired to make positive changes in your life after taking ketamine, and your therapist can be a sounding board to explore how you’ll make these changes. Many aspects of healing that occur with ketamine are non-verbal, and it’s normal not to remember every detail of your experiences. Simply bringing your general impressions with you to your integration sessions will provide the groundwork for productive therapy.