Dr. Amy Waldron partners with the medical team at Journey Clinical to offer Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy to her clients. Journey Clinical handles the medical aspects of KAP treatment while Dr. Waldron delivers the psychotherapy sessions in her offices in San Francisco and Corte Madera, California.

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a holistic modality which combines talk therapy with ketamine as an adjunct, to help eligible patients experience profound breakthroughs and lasting improvement. It is especially effective for depression, anxiety, and PTSD - particularly when other treatments haven’t been as effective. Dr. Waldron takes on the psychotherapy portion of the experience, while Journey Clinical’s medical team supports clients on all medical aspects. This includes determining eligibility, developing a custom treatment plan, prescribing the medicine and monitoring outcomes.

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. It has rapid antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects, often noticeable within hours and can last for weeks. It works by targeting the neurotransmitter glutamate, which influences mood and thought patterns.It promotes neuroplasticity — the brain's ability to form new connections. Ketamine can be administered in a variety of ways, including IV infusion, intramuscular injection, nasal spray, and sublingual lozenges. At Journey Clinical we 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. Many people report having unique emotional or visual experiences that can give you a break from habitual thoughts and gain a new perspective on traumatic situations. Your motor and verbal abilities will be reduced, so you’ll be lying down in a comfortable position during the experience. Once these effects subside, your psychotherapist will spend the remainder of your appointment giving you space to process and discuss your experience. While it may feel hard to articulate what happens during the experience, patients feel like the insights gained are clear.

How Does Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Work?

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy consists of a sequence of preparation, dosing, and integration sessions. On average, 6-8 dosing sessions are prescribed. Outcomes tend to be stronger once a trusting relationship has been established with the psychotherapist through the exploration of history and goals. The steps are outlined below:

Meet with Dr. Waldron for 1-3 sessions to gather history and determine goals for treatment
Initial consultation with Journey Clinical prescriber for eligibility check and ketamine prescription (can be scheduled concurrently)
Preparation Session with Dr. Waldron: Align on the process and set intentions for the KAP dosing session
KAP dosing session with Dr. Waldron: Self- administer your ketamine lozenge with Dr. Waldron in her office in San Francisco or Corte Madera, CA
Integration session: Review memories, thoughts and insights that arose during your dosing session.
Follow-up consultations with Journey Clinical prescriber for refills if eligible

What is The Cost?

Journey Clinical Insurance Covered Costs:

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy can be an affordable, accessible modality. Depending on your insurance plan, your sessions with Journey Clinical (the medical intake, follow ups, and medication management sessions) can be covered by insurance, or eligible for out-of-network reimbursement. Dr. Amy Waldron is not in network with any insurance provider. She is happy to provide monthly super bills for out-of-network insurance reimbursement for preparation, dosing, and integration sessions.

Journey Clinical Out of Pocket Medical Costs

First Time Patients:

Initial Medical Consultation: $250
Medication: $97 (2 sessions)

Ongoing Treatment:

Follow-up Medical Consultation: $150 (at least 1x per quarter)
Medication: $163 (6 sessions)

Ongoing Psychiatric Medication Management Sessions: $150

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 a licensed KAP provider takes on the therapy. This collaborative care model is designed to deliver personalized treatment plans to meet your individual needs and improve long-term outcomes.

Ready to Get Started?

Please visit the Contact Me page to schedule a free 20-minute consultation call to ask questions and see if Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy might be a good fit for you. Dr. Amy Waldron specializes in treating social anxiety, patterns of overthinking, imposter syndrome. Dr. Waldron works with those who are highly sensitive, athletes, and anyone who has experienced trauma and/or difficult experiences. Dr. Waldron incorporates EMDR and Art Therapy along with traditional psychotherapy based on need.

What is Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy?