Ketamine
“Ketamine…might be the most important breakthrough in antidepressant treatment”
- Thomas Insel, Former Director of the National Institute for Mental Health
Emerge Clinic’s Ketamine Treatment Program
Ketamine Assisted therapy rapidly and effectively treats mood disorders like depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, and addiction. In treating depression, it boasts a 70% or greater response rate, contrasting with conventional antidepressants like Prozac and Lexapro. The positive effects of ketamine begin within hours, peaking at 24 hours, far quicker than SSRIs. Recent studies continue to affirm Ketamine's robust and rapid antidepressant effects, sustained even after one month and may last up to a year if given in conjunction with Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy.
Research indicates a single Ketamine infusion's favorable outcomes can last up to a year but only with psychotherapy extending the duration. A series of six treatments over 2-6 weeks is a common treatment approach, but depends on the method of administration. Emerge Clinic currently offers Intra Muscular Injection, Lozenge and Spravado (inhaled and covered by your insurance). Our ARNP can go over which may the best option for you at your first appointment.
After a typical 6-8 treatment series, some may require booster treatments periodically, transitioning into a maintenance phase. Ketamine is part of an overall treatment, and Emerge Clinic emphasizes preparation, aftercare, and attention to overall well-being in its holistic approach to Ketamine Assisted Therapy treatments. Our partner Lodestone Acupuncture can be an important component of extending the positive effects as well.
Ketamine Assisted Therapy is a highly effective treatment for mood disorders, and its optimization involves careful planning, including route of administration and the comprehensive patient care that Emerge provides. Studies continue to prove that used in a medical setting and with supervision Ketamine is extremely safe and non-addictive due to its extremely low doses.
Emerge Clinic’s Ketamine Therapy prioritizes overall health to maximize the benefits of this potentially life-changing medicine.
Ketamine-Assisted Therapy
Trained Therapists
Frontline Psychedelics
Ketamine-Assisted Therapy
Emerge Clinic offers Ketamine in a safely administered medical setting, with careful and thoughtful preparation before and after treatment to support your journey of healing. Research shows that partnered with Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), symptoms are relieved for almost twice the duration of Ketamine medical treatment alone. Emerge offers safe, effective KAP plus Integration after your ketamine treatment to give you the most long-lasting results. Our therapists are specially trained to provide this highly unique service for you.
In the emerging realm of psychedelic psychotherapy, ketamine is the only legally available psychedelic medicine, and the profound insights that these medicines produce are thought to be the reason they produce such effective results. This insight is thought to be how the symptoms of depression lessen so quickly as well as the neurobiological impact on what is called the Default Mode Network (DMN). Current theories suggest that Ketamine (and other psychedelic medicines) are found to promote the neuroplasticity of our brain structure, and as a result can lead to the resolution of painful symptoms for an extended period of time.
Most recently, MDMA was shown to reduce PTSD in Veterans so effectively that they no longer qualified for a diagnosis after 6-10 sessions. (We are currently waiting on FDA approval for MDMA and anticipate that it will happen in 2024.)
FAQs
What Is The First Step?
You will meet with our Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner for a medical psychiatric evaluation to rule out any condition that would prevent the use of Ketamine for your symptoms such as untreated heart disease or high blood pressure. They will go over your medical and emotional history with you and make sure you are a good candidate for a Ketamine series. You may also meet with a Ketamine Assisted Therapist to determine if it is psychologically a good fit for your current path.
After this meeting, you will consult with our Medical Assistant, who will answer any questions you have about the Ketamine experience. They will go over what to expect during your IM, Lozenge or Spravado session and will schedule your series of based on which method you choose. You will also be scheduled for your Preparatory, Assisted and Integration psychotherapy sessions to help deepen and promote long-lasting healing.
Do I have to have KAP Therapy?
Ketamine treatments without psychotherapy are half as effective. For this reason, Emerge offers Ketamine only in conjunction with therapy. Your Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) therapist will meet with you to help you discover your intentions, to set a framework and manage expectations, and to help you lay the foundation for the most effective healing process before during, and after Ketamine treatment. Our therapists are trained by our Founder, who is a Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) trained MDMA Assisted and Psychedelic Assisted Therapy trainee.
What Is The Cost Of Treatment?
Ketamine treatment sessions vary by method of administration due to medical and therapeutic staffing needs and protocol, so the most current pricing can be found by emailing intakes@emegeclinic.com. Treatments not covered by insurance range from $200-$400 per hour typically.
IM and Lozenge Ketamine sessions are not covered by insurance, however your Psychiatric evaluation and Ketamine-Assisted psychotherapy may be. Spravato is usually covered by your insurance with pre-authorization requirements.
Please note that we accept payment plans for those unable to make a single payment for Ketamine treatments not covered by insurance. More information can be found by contacting intakes@emergeclinic.com
How Quickly Does It Work?
Most clients report that they feel the effects of Ketamine treatments within a month or so, but some report is may take 6-12 months. Sometimes require a “booster” session during that time. The timing depends on how long your symptoms are abated and we have found is completely individualized depending on the person.
Since 2020, Emerge Clinic has offered Ketamine Assisted Therapy treatments to over 300 Bellingham residents. Anecdotally, 85% of clients report successful to highly successful results. We are proud to have been the first clinic to offer this cutting-edge therapy in our community and we hope to be able to offer Psychedelic Assisted Therapies as they become FDA-approved.
What Will I Experience?
Some patients report a sense of floating above themselves, and some describe feeling a sense of “oneness” with the Universe and a strong sense of peace. The sensations can be described as “strange” but are quite distinct from the experiences of hallucinations from psychedelic medicines such as psilocybin or LSD. Patients report not feeling overwhelmed by these sensations when they are properly educated and prepared at their intake and information session. It is our commitment to be your guide and to help you know and prepare for what to expect so that treatment is effective and long lasting. Our MA, KAP Therapists and ARNPs will help you understand the possible side effects and help you orient to the sensations that you will be experiencing.
Are You Ready To
