When ketamine is used in conjunction with high-quality psychotherapy, the biochemical effects of the medicine can be paired with changes in cognitive and behavioral patterns to effect long-lasting change. Ketamine creates a dissociative experience that can help patients access emotional and psychological material that otherwise would be challenging to discuss during therapy. This creates opportunities to gain new insights into one’s depression while working with a trusted therapist.

How does SeattleNTC’s KAP program work?
You will have an intake first with one of SeattleNTC’s physicians to determine whether KAP, or one of our other treatments, is right for you. You will then meet with one of our specialized KAP therapists for an intake session to ensure that you two will work well together and have all of your questions answered. If you choose to proceed, you will have a series of preparatory sessions with the therapist to prepare for the medication-assisted experience. You will then have a series of 2-hour medicine-assisted therapy sessions in the clinic, each followed in the days after by a one hour integration session via telehealth to work on making changes in your life. Psychotherapy in and after the sessions offers a unique opportunity to uncover new ways of understanding your mental health challenges. You will be in a private room with your therapist during treatment to create the most therapeutic setting possible for your treatment. While many of our patients do best with intranasal ketamine, we also offer sublingual and, soon, intravenous options.
Will my insurance cover KAP?
Unfortunately, insurance generally does not cover ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. We understand that KAP is a significant financial investment in your health and we hope that the robust response that can be achieved in a shorter treatment time will be a worthwhile investment.
Does Ketamine have any side effects?
Most patients find ketamine treatments to be very easily manageable or even pleasant. However, side effects during the 2 hours of monitoring may include: dissociation, anxiety, nausea, heart rate, blood pressure changes and others. Most of these side effects go away by the time a patient leaves the clinic – some patients may feel tired or slow for the remainder of the day. Most patients do not have side effects between treatments. Your doctor and therapist will go over possible side effects in more depth before you start treatment.
How long does KAP take to work?
The effects of KAP appear to be cumulative. We recommend an initial intensive course of 5-8 sessions to get the most robust results.
Are there any restrictions when taking Ketamine?
We require that patients not drive home from a ketamine treatment and recommend that they do not drive until the next day after a restful sleep. There are no restrictions on non-treatment days.
How is SeattleNTC different?
As a true subspecialty psychiatric clinic, we are not a “one trick pony” – we offer all of the leading FDA-approved options for treating depression which has not responded to medications and traditional psychotherapy, as well as leading cutting-edge options such as KAP. This means that we are able to think holistically about your history and needs when planning your treatment, to ensure we select the treatment best suited to you, Our expert physicians are present in clinic every day to make sure you are safe and well cared for during your treatments.
TMS TREATMENT
KETAMINE TREATMENTS
KETAMINE TREATMENTS
Now providing esketamine, IV ketamine, and ketamine assisted psychotherapy.
ECT TREATMENT
CLINICAL TRIALS
ADDITIONAL THERAPIES
TMS TREATMENT
ECT TREATMENT
KETAMINE TREATMENTS
KETAMINE TREATMENTS
Now providing esketamine, IV ketamine, and ketamine assisted psychotherapy.
CLINICAL TRIALS