Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
Ketamine-Assisted Therapy (KAP) is a structured approach combining psychotherapy with FDA-approved ketamine to gently soften mental noise and expand awareness. Each session takes place in a calming, supportive space, allowing you to safely navigate altered states of consciousness. Therapy and medical oversight work together, ensuring both the psychological and physical aspects of treatment are attended to.
FAQs
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Ketamine is a safe, effective, legal, quick and flexible anti-depressant and mood enhancer. Ketamine has been FDA approved as a mental health treatment since 2019, with research supporting effectiveness in treating anxiety disorders, treatment-resistant depression and the psychological impact of trauma.
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Ketamine enhances neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new connections, by boosting glutamate signaling and growth factors shortly after dosing.
Creates a temporary window (hours to days) when the brain is more receptive to change.
Helps disrupt old patterns and open space for new ways of thinking and feeling.
Powerful antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects can begin within 1–2 hours and last several days to a couple of weeks.
Repeated sessions extend benefits through sustained neural adaptation and reinforced learning.
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Ketamine’s acute effects typically last 45–60 minutes. Many clients describe feeling “far from” the body, with shifts in perception that feel expansive, dreamlike, or emotionally insightful. Some experience imagery or a meaningful break from habitual thought patterns.
Not everyone has a strong altered state. Some feel subtle changes, such as relaxation, emotional openness, or mental spaciousness. If the experience feels mild, we approach it with curiosity and may adjust dosing thoughtfully in future sessions if appropriate.
Motor and verbal abilities are reduced during the experience, so you’ll be resting comfortably with music while your therapist remains present. Afterward, we allow time for pre-integration and reflection. Even when hard to articulate, insights often feel clear and impactful.
Research shows mood benefits and increased neuroplasticity can last days to weeks following a session so it’s important to take advantage of this post-dosing period as well.
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Origem Psychotherapy partners with Journey Clinical to provide safe and legal ketamine prescriptions for eligible clients.
Journey Clinical manages eligibility, prescriptions, and outcome monitoring, working with compounding pharmacies to dispense and ship fast-dissolving sublingual tablets.
Origem Psychotherapy leads preparation, dosing, and integration sessions, offering a calm, supportive space with your licensed KAP provider.
This collaborative model ensures both the medical and therapeutic aspects of ketamine-assisted therapy are coordinated for a safe, structured treatment experience.
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Preparation - Two to three sessions before dosing, then weekly, prior to each dose
Build rapport and set expectations and intentions.
Review the treatment plan, safety protocols, and personalize the space (lighting, scent, sound).
Dosing - Approximately three hours, in-person
Recline in a zero-gravity chair with an eye-mask and supportive music.
Self-administer ketamine and anti-nausea medication with the psychotherapist present.
A chaperone is required for safe transportation home; a restful remainder of the day is strongly recommended.
Integration - 48–72 hours after each dose
Reflect on insights, thoughts, and experiences from the session.
Discuss ways to apply new perspectives to daily life.
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KAP begins with two to three preparation sessions over the course of a few weeks, while you meet with the medical team at Journey Clinical.
Once dosing begins, sessions are typically scheduled every two weeks, with preparation and integration session between each dose.
An initial course of treatment generally unfolds over 10–16 weeks (approximately 2.5 to 4 months), depending on the number of dosing sessions (often 4–6).
Some clients complete a shorter course, while others choose to extend treatment based on clinical need and response. The pace is intentional, allowing time for neurobiological shifts, reflection, and meaningful integration between sessions.
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A typical treatment includes 2 to 8 dosing ketamine sessions, combined with preparation sessions, and integration sessions in between. On average, you can expect to
Initial Medical Consultation with Journey Clinical
Covered by most insurance plans or 250.00 without insurance
Private pay: $112.00 (includes 2 full doses of ketamine)
Preparation Session with Origem Psychotherapy
Covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO or most Aetna plans, or 150.00 without insurance
Dosing Session with Origem Psychotherapy (approx. 3 hours)
1st hour covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO or most Aetna plans, or 150.00 without insurance
Additional hours: $150 per hour (clients typically leave after 2.5–3 hours)
Integration Session with Origem Psychotherapy (within 24–72 hours post-dose)Covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO or most Aetna plans, or 150.00 without insurance
Follow-Up Consultation with Journey Clinical (once per quarter, as needed)
Covered by most insurance plans or 150.00 without insurance
Private pay: $208.00 (up to 6 additional full doses of ketamine)
Sliding Scale & Access: To make KAP more accessible, we provide a limited sliding scale for clients who might not otherwise afford full rates. Priority is given to queer, immigrant, and BIPOC clients as part of our commitment to equitable care.
Insurance coverage may vary depending on your plan, including in-network or out-of-network benefits. Please directly verify with Journey Clinical and your insurance plan to ensure coverage for the medical treatment and any expected copays.
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Contact
5412 N Clark Street #201
Chicago, IL 60640
(312) 219-2476