Evidence based Comprehensive Integrative Durable
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy.
We offer a 6-week Ketamine-assisted treatment plan to help patients find long-term relief from treatment resistant depression, suicidal ideation, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety disorders.
About K-Well Health
Our team is a collaborating group of medical professionals, including a medical doctor, a nurse practitioner, and two licensed psychotherapists. Collectively, we have decades of combined knowledge and extensive experience working with psychoactive substances in medical and therapeutic environments. Our therapists are trained and experienced in EMDR Therapy, somatic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and more. We work together to understand your needs and support you toward your healing.
Treatment Tailored to Your Individual Needs
How it works:
Interview & Assessment
Prospective patients are asked to schedule an initial 15-minute interview with our care team, to determine suitability for ketamine and to discuss needs, goals, and treatment history. Next, patients meet with a prescriber for a medical evaluation and clearance.
Scheduling & Logistics
Our care team will coordinate with accepted patients to schedule a 6-session treatment plan, review procedure and instructions, and set up appointment logistics.
KAP Treatment Sessions
Your ketamine treatment includes preparation, self-administered medication sessions, and integration. Sessions will take place in-office, in-home, or via Telehealth.
Fees & Payment
K-Well Health is a direct patient pay provider. Payments are required in advance. Last minute cancellations and/or 'no shows' are not refundable. (Medical/emergency circumstances may be considered individually.)
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a medication which has been primarily used for anesthesia and pain relief, but it has also gained recognition for its potential in treating depression and certain mental health disorders. It is classified as a dissociative anesthetic, meaning it can induce a trance-like state where patients feel detached from their regular way of thinking and allow for novel thought processes.
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Regarding its potential for mental health treatment, ketamine works differently than traditional antidepressants. It acts on the brain's glutamate system, specifically the NMDA receptors, which are involved in learning, memory, and mood regulation. By modulating these receptors, ketamine can produce a rapid antidepressant effect, often within hours or days, compared to the weeks or months it takes for traditional antidepressants to work.
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The exact mechanisms underlying ketamine's antidepressant effects are still being studied, but researchers believe it promotes the growth of new synaptic connections in the brain, particularly in areas involved in mood regulation. Additionally, ketamine may reduce inflammation in the brain, which is thought to play a role in depression.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is ketamine safe?Ketamine is an FDA-approved, legal medication, originally used for anesthesia in humans. It was developed in the 1960s and was commonly used in the Vietnam War because it could be used in the field safely and effectively. Ketamine is also widely used in emergency departments, intensive care, and pediatric units because it does not suppress the respiratory drive or paralyze muscles the way other anesthetics do. Ketamine has been used in psychiatry since the early 2000s and has been studied extensively for such purpose by the most prestigious academic institutions. Years of evidence-based research has shown that, when used appropriately, ketamine is safe and can be highly effective and durable in treating many mental health conditions.
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How does ketamine work?Ketamine works on a variety of receptors in the body, including those that help alleviate pain, but its main mechanism of action is as an antagonist of the NMDA receptor prompting the release of glutamate, a primary excitatory neurotransmitter. Glutamate is active in the brain in the areas responsible for mood and motivation. By allowing relaxation and a meditative-like experience, ketamine helps patients access feelings and emotions. At some dosages, ketamine may prompt a deep psychoactive, psychedelic, and mystical experience.
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Is ketamine safe to use with other anti-depressants?Ketamine can be used safely with many antidepressant medications, but it is always recommended that changes and or additions to any medication plan be reviewed with your primary physician, and/or psychiatrist, to determine if any adverse effects may be possible.
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What excludes a person from ketamine-assisted psychotherapy?Active substance use disorder. Active manic phase of bipolar disorder. History of psychosis or active psychosis. Schizophrenia, schizoaffective, borderline personality disorders. History of seizures, intracranial injury, increased intracranial pressure, intracranial hypertension, or pseudotumor cerebri. History of glaucoma or increased intra-ocular pressure. Uncontrolled hypertension, an acute or recent cardiovascular event or unstable cardiovascular disease. Congestive heart failure, tachyarrhythmia (abnormally high heart rate/rhythm), atrial fibrillation. Untreated or uncontrolled thyroid disease. History of laryngospasm. Current pregnancy or attempting to become pregnant, breastfeeding. Prior negative response or allergy to ketamine.
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What is EMDR Therapy?EMDR Therapy, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a form of psychotherapy designed to facilitate healing from the effects of distressing life experiences. Numerous studies have shown that EMDR therapy can yield results comparable to traditional psychotherapy in a much shorter time frame, challenging the notion that severe emotional pain necessitates lengthy treatment. In essence, EMDR therapy operates on the principle that the mind, like the body, has a natural capacity to heal from trauma. Just as the body instinctively works to heal a physical wound, the brain's information processing system strives for mental well-being. However, when this system is obstructed by the impact of a traumatic event, emotional distress can persist. EMDR therapy employs specific protocols and techniques to unblock this processing system, allowing the natural healing process to resume. Trained clinicians guide clients through these procedures, activating their innate healing mechanisms and facilitating recovery from psychological trauma.
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In which states is K-Well Health prescribing ketamine ?Connecticut, New York, Florida and Michigan.