How KAP works at Gifted Minds Counseling

I collaborate with a medical prescriber who conducts medical screening and manages dosing. My role is psychotherapy: preparing you, supporting you during dosing (when indicated), and guiding integration so insights become real-world shifts.

  1. Comprehensive intake + medical clearance
    We review history, medications, goals, and risks. A partnering prescriber confirms eligibility and dosing route (commonly oral lozenge or intramuscular injection in off-label settings).

  2. Preparation (1–2 sessions)
    We clarify intentions, practice grounding, and set up a personalized support plan for dosing day (transportation, chaperone, aftercare).

  3. Dosing session (on-site with medical supervision)
    You’ll rest in a quiet, low-stimulus room with eyeshades and music if desired. I provide calm, non-directive support during acute effects; deeper processing happens as you re-orient.

  4. Integration (2–4 sessions)
    Within 24–72 hours, we translate experience into action: meaning-making, values/behavior plans, parts work (IFS-informed), and relapse-prevention supports. Early combined-care reports suggest psychotherapy around the dosing window may extend benefits, though high-quality head-to-head trials are still developing (Dore et al., 2019; Kew et al., 2023). Taylor & Francis Online+1

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

What KAP is

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) pairs carefully dosed ketamine with structured therapy before, during, and after dosing. The medication can open a short “window” of neuroplasticity and psychological flexibility; therapy then helps convert that window into durable change. Randomized trials have shown rapid reductions in depressive symptoms—sometimes within hours to a day—with effects that can last days to weeks after a single dose (Berman et al., 2000; Zarate et al., 2006). PubMed+1

Who KAP can help

Evidence and clinical practice suggest KAP may benefit adults with:

  • Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) or major depression not responding to standard care. (Berman et al., 2000; Zarate et al., 2006). PubMed+1

  • Acute suicidal ideation (short-term reduction), alongside a comprehensive safety plan. (Zarate et al., 2006). JAMA Network

  • Anxiety/PTSD and related conditions (emerging but promising evidence; more trials are underway). (Kew et al., 2023; Hartelius et al., 2023). PMC+1

Transparency: Racemic ketamine for psychiatric indications is not FDA-approved; it is used off-label by qualified prescribers in accordance with consensus recommendations (Sanacora et al., 2017). JAMA Network

Safety & eligibility

KAP isn’t right for everyone. We use prescriber screening and consensus guidance (Sanacora et al., 2017) to assess:

  • Exclude or use caution with uncontrolled hypertension/cardiovascular disease, active psychosis, untreated mania, pregnancy, certain urologic issues, or history of problematic ketamine use.

  • Common transient effects: dissociation, dizziness, nausea, time distortion, and increased blood pressure (per SPRAVATO label’s class warnings). FDA Access Data+1

Your experience, step-by-step

  • Time investment: Prep (50–60 min); dosing day (plan 2–3 hours in-office); integration (50–60 min each).

  • Set & setting: Comfortable recliner, eyeshades, curated music, safety monitoring.

  • Between sessions: Short reflection prompts, skills practice (CBT/ACT/DBT), IFS parts-mapping, and behavior plans that support mood and daily functioning.

  • Care coordination: With your consent, I coordinate with your prescriber and—if you already have one—your psychiatrist/PCP.

My therapy approach

I integrate Internal Family Systems (IFS-informed) with EMDR, Brainspotting, ACT, and selected DBT skills where appropriate. In KAP, we use these tools to anchor insights into daily life: setting boundaries, repairing patterns, and supporting executive function, mood regulation, and self-compassion.

Services & transparent pricing (2025)

(Rates below reflect psychotherapy time; medication costs and medical screening are billed separately by the prescriber. Out-of-network superbills available for psychotherapy.)

  • KAP Preparation Session (45–60 min): $150

  • KAP Dosing Support (up to ~120–150 min psychotherapy time on dosing day): $325

  • KAP Integration Session (50–60 min): $200

  • Optional Booster Integration (30 min): $100

  • Medical screening & medication: Billed by the collaborating prescriber/clinic (we currently partner with Journey Clinical).

HSA/FSA receipts provided. Coverage for off-label ketamine varies.

Local logistics (Denton / DFW)

  • Location: Gifted Minds Counseling, Denton, Texas (easy access from I-35; convenient to UNT/TWU, Corinth, Argyle, Flower Mound, Frisco, North Dallas).

  • Service area: In-person KAP for North Texas; telehealth is used for preparation/integration when clinically appropriate (dosing is in-person).

  • Parking & arrival: We are located on the square in downtown Denton; arrive 15-20 minutes early on dosing days to ensure available parking.

  • Aftercare: You’ll need a safe ride home and no major obligations for 12–24 hours post-dose.

HIPAA-friendly contact

To protect your privacy, please avoid sending PHI (personal health info) by regular email or DMs.

  • Schedule / inquire (secure): Use our client portal (we’ll send you a secure link) or call/text the office line.

  • Coordinating with prescribers: With written consent, we’ll share only necessary information for your care.

  • Crisis: KAP is not a crisis service. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest ER; for 24/7 support dial/text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).

FAQs

Is this the same as SPRAVATO®?
SPRAVATO® is esketamine delivered as a nasal spray in REMS-certified settings and now FDA-approved as monotherapy for adults with TRD. In KAP, many community clinics use racemic ketamine off-label (often lozenges or IM) under a prescriber’s care. We’ll help you decide which pathway fits your needs and insurance situation. JNJ.com+1

How many dosing sessions will I need?
Plans are individualized. Many people complete 1–3 dosing sessions with integration after each; some benefit from additional sessions or periodic boosters based on response and goals.

Will I stop my medications?
Do not change medication without your prescriber’s guidance. KAP is often adjunctive.

What does the evidence say about adding psychotherapy?
Clinic-based series suggest meaningful symptom reductions when ketamine is paired with structured therapy (Dore et al., 2019). Reviews note promise but call for more standardized trials to clarify the additive value of psychotherapy and the best timing/modality (Kew et al., 2023). Taylor & Francis Online+1

Ready to explore KAP?

Let’s talk. In a 15-minute phone consult, we’ll discuss your goals, fit, and next steps for medical screening.

  • Primary CTA: Book a KAP consult (secure portal)

  • Secondary CTA: Request a call-back (name + phone only; no clinical details)

  • Tertiary CTA: Download the KAP prep guide (PDF) — what to expect, how to prepare, and integration tips

Research & References

Berman, R. M., Cappiello, A., Anand, A., Oren, D. A., Heninger, G. R., Charney, D. S., & Krystal, J. H. (2000). Antidepressant effects of ketamine in depressed patients. Biological Psychiatry, 47(4), 351–354. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10686270/ PubMed

Dore, J., Turnipseed, B., Dwyer, S., Turnipseed, A., Andries, J., Ascani, G., Monnette, C., Strauss, N., Nicolescu, R., & Wolfson, P. (2019). Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP): Patient demographics, clinical data, and outcomes in three large practices administering ketamine with psychotherapy. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 51(2), 189–198. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2019.1587556 Taylor & Francis Online

Hartelius, G., et al. (2023). Bridging the gap: An interdisciplinary perspective on ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1246891. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1246891/full Frontiers

Janssen. (2025, January 21). SPRAVATO® (esketamine) approved in the U.S. as the first and only monotherapy for adults with treatment-resistant depression [Press release]. https://www.jnj.com/ JNJ.com

Kew, B. M., et al. (2023). Ketamine and psychotherapy for the treatment of psychiatric disorders: A review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1186858. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10228275/ PMC

Sanacora, G., Frye, M. A., McDonald, W., et al. (2017). A consensus statement on the use of ketamine in the treatment of mood disorders. JAMA Psychiatry, 74(4), 399–405. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2605202 JAMA Network

SPRAVATO® (esketamine) Prescribing Information. (2025). U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/211243s019lbl.pdf FDA Access Data

Zarate, C. A., Jr., Singh, J. B., Carlson, P. J., Brutsche, N. E., Ameli, R., Luckenbaugh, D. A., Charney, D. S., & Manji, H. K. (2006). A randomized trial of an NMDA antagonist in treatment-resistant major depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 63(8), 856–864. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16894061/

Regulatory note. Ketamine (racemic) has long been FDA-approved as an anesthetic; its S-enantiomer (esketamine; brand name SPRAVATO®) was approved for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in 2019 and, on January 21, 2025, the FDA approved esketamine as monotherapy for adults with TRD within a REMS program (Janssen, 2025; SPRAVATO Prescribing Information, 2025). In community mental-health care, racemic ketamine for psychiatric uses is off-label and requires appropriate medical oversight and informed consent (Sanacora et al., 2017). JNJ.com+2FDA Access Data+2