Ketamine-Assisted Care
What is Ketamine-Assisted Care & Who is it For?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is now a regularly utilized treatment modality in psychiatric care. It is used as a tool to help address various mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Retro Therapeutics utilizes ketamine, which has extensive evidence for safe and effective treatment. Ketamine is utilized with focused integration practices to relax habitual thinking patterns, update the nervous system, improve motivation, increase joy, and enhance the ability to manage emotions constructively.
Services
In-person sublingual, subcutaneous, or intramuscular ketamine sessions, including pre-session preparation & post-session integration services
Virtual support of home ketamine sessions
Full medical evaluations for ketamine services
Other services by arrangement
Are you a clinician working with ketamine, or running a group?
The Process
All services are $220 per hour unless otherwise noted.
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A comprehensive psychological assessment and medical evaluation is performed with every client prior to the initiation of treatment. This ensures that clients are medically cleared to receive ketamine and that treatment is tailored to meet the client's unique needs. On occasion, we may need to collaborate with your primary care or specialty provider before implementing treatment. This session may be completed virtually or in person at Retro Therapeutics.
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It is critical for clients to prepare for their ketamine journey to ensure they get the most out of their treatment. During this session we explore what clients want to accomplish with ketamine therapy. This session helps the client create a commitment to their healing journey. Starting something new with clear intentions helps focus the client on the present moment: who they are, what they're doing, and why they're doing it.
Ketamine therapy has the power to transform your life when done with intention. Psychedelic researchers and clinicians have known this for half a century, and it's why certain methods and standards have been put into practice. We understand that the profound therapeutic benefits of ketamine can only come when clients are clear with their reasons for starting ketamine therapy and what they hope to get out of each session.
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The session begins with the client and the provider discussing goals, intentions, concerns, and any leftover material from previous preparation or medication sessions. The client is supported by the provider for the duration of the medication's effect. The session concludes with the client and provider processing the material and emotions which have arisen during the experience as the client emerges from the ketamine experience.
See below for more in depth information about in-person vs. virtual sessions.
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Integration is an essential part of ketamine treatment to assure optimal outcomes. During these sessions, the client revisits and actively engages in making sense of, working through, translating, and processing the content of their psychedelic experience. Through intentional effort and supportive practices (such as Depth Hypnosis, this process allows the client to gradually capture and incorporate the emergent lessons and insights into their lives, thus moving toward greater balance and wholeness, both internally (mind, body, and spirit) and externally (lifestyle, social relations, and the natural world).
Post-session care may involve follow-up appointments, mental health support, ongoing communications and personalized treatment planning.
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Some clients desire to continue a therapeutic relationship with Retro Therapeutics. Ongoing 50-minute therapy appointments can be continued either in-person or via telehealth.
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Some clients desire to work with ketamine at home between in-person sessions to achieve healing. Ongoing 30-minute medical evaluation and medication renewal appointments can be continued either in-person or via telehealth.
Saftey
Ketamine therapy is regulated and should only be administered by a licensed healthcare professional in a clinical setting or with the necessary support and safety equipment available. Safety protocols and guidelines are followed to minimize risks and to ensure the well-being of the client undergoing treatment. It is important to note that ketamine therapy is a specialized treatment approach that requires careful consideration, thorough assessment, and ongoing support to maximize its potential benefits for mental health conditions.
Choosing an In-Person or Virtual Session
Both options follow the same process: intake and evaluation, preparation, integration, and ongoing support. What differs is where the session happens and how the medicine is administered.
In-Person Ketamine Sessions
In-person ketamine sessions at Retro Therapeutics consist of the administration of ketamine in one-on-one sessions with the provider. The sessions consist of the following steps to ensure safety, comfort and therapeutic effects:
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Before the session, clients undergo a comprehensive virtual or in-person initial assessment with the medical provider to determine if ketamine therapy is appropriate and medically safe for them to participate in.
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Sessions take place in the comfortable, cozy and safe Retro Therapeutics treatment space. The space is designed to promote relaxation and to minimize external distractions.
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Client and medical provider work together to determine appropriate dosage of medicine, which is then administered either sublingually, subcutaneously or intramuscularly depending on the needs of the client. The dose is calculated based on the client's weight and medical history and desired plan of care for the session.
Ketamine therapy has the power to transform your life when done with intention. Psychedelic researchers and clinicians have known this for half a century, and it's why certain methods and standards have been put into practice. We understand that the profound therapeutic benefits of ketamine can only come when clients are clear with their reasons for starting ketamine therapy and what they hope to get out of each session.
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Throughout the session, the client is closely monitored by the medical provider for vital signs, consciousness, and psychological state to ensure safety and treatment effectiveness. The medical provider is present for the entire visit and is available to address any concerns or needs of the client that may arise.
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Some sessions may involve concurrent integrative practices or counseling to enhance the therapeutic benefits of the ketamine treatment. This can help individuals process their experiences and emotions during and after the session. After the effects of the ketamine wear off, there is typically a period of integration where the client may reflect on their experience with the guidance of the medical provider.
Post-session care may involve follow-up appointments, mental health support, ongoing communications and personalized treatment planning. -
Ketamine's effects typically begin within minutes of administration. The client may experience altered perceptions, changes in consciousness, and a dissociative state. These deep effects usually last for about an hour or so, depending on the dosage.
Clients may not drive or operate heavy machinery for 6 hours following a deep ketamine session.
Virtual Ketamine Sessions
Virtual ketamine sessions involve the support of home ketamine sessions, which are guided by the medical provider. The client is guided through a therapeutic experience virtually, following steps to ensure safety, comfort and therapeutic effects:
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Like in person sessions, virtual sessions also involve a comprehensive initial assessment with the medical provider to ensure clients are appropriate candidates for virtual ketamine sessions and that there are no contraindicated medical conditions that would make sessions risky or unsafe to participate in.
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The ketamine session will take place in the comfort of your own home with special attention towards promoting relaxation and minimizing external distractions.
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The ketamine may be administered in various forms such as orally, nasal spray or lozenges. The dose is calculated based on the client's weight and medical history and desired plan of care for the session. The medical provider will guide you on how to take the medication safely and effectively. Ketamine is ordered from a compounding pharmacy and sent to the client's home. The client pays the pharmacy directly for the ketamine.
Ketamine therapy has the power to transform your life when done with intention. Psychedelic researchers and clinicians have known this for half a century, and it's why certain methods and standards have been put into practice. We understand that the profound therapeutic benefits of ketamine can only come when clients are clear with their reasons for starting ketamine therapy and what they hope to get out of each session.
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During the session, especially if clients are new to ketamine treatment, the provider may lead clients through mindfulness exercises, visualization techniques, or other therapeutic interventions to help clients explore their thoughts and emotions in a safe and supportive environment. Once clients are familiar with ketamine experiences, they may be able to participate in guided or unguided medicine sessions.
Ketamine therapy has the power to transform your life when done with intention. Psychedelic researchers and clinicians have known this for half a century, and it's why certain methods and standards have been put into practice. We understand that the profound therapeutic benefits of ketamine can only come when clients are clear with their reasons for starting ketamine therapy and what they hope to get out of each session.
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After the ketamine experience, the provider helps clients to process and integrate any insights or revelations that may have arisen during the session.
Some sessions may involve concurrent integrative practices or counseling to enhance the therapeutic benefits of the ketamine treatment. This can help individuals process their experiences and emotions during and after the session. After the effects of the ketamine wear off, there is typically a period of integration where the client may reflect on their experience with the guidance of the medical provider.
Post-session care may involve follow-up appointments, mental health support, ongoing communications and personalized treatment planning.
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Ketamine's effects typically begin within minutes of administration. The client may experience altered perceptions, changes in consciousness, and a dissociative state. These deep effects usually last for about an hour or so, depending on the dosage.
Clients may not drive or operate heavy machinery for 6 hours following a deep ketamine session.
