Ketamine Therapy - Whole Systems Healthcare Seattle Clinic

Ketamine Therapy at Whole Systems Healthcare

Welcome to Whole Systems Healthcare’s ketamine treatment page. We are excited to offer ketamine therapy with a novel approach, integrating ketamine with other holistic therapies to maximize its potential. Ketamine has already shown promise in treating a number of psychoemotional conditions, including depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, addiction (opiates, alcohol, cocaine), obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, and personality disorder. We believe in utilizing ketamine as part of a holistic, patient-centered approach; by combining ketamine with modalities such as acupuncture, botanical medicine, nutrition, and more, its consciousness expanding properties can be maximized to bring you truly transformational healing experiences.

About Ketamine

Ketamine is a powerful medication that was originally developed for use as an anesthetic. It has been gaining popularity recently due to its strong analgesic properties and its ability to treat certain psychiatric conditions, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Classified as a dissociative anesthetic, the experience of ketamine is impossible to describe with words, but can be approximated as trance-like, even transcendent, with a gentle detachment from the immediate surroundings. Ketamine can have a potent synergy with therapy, fostering a supportive setting for individuals to navigate the recesses of their consciousness. The altered states induced by ketamine can potentially facilitate introspection, emotional processing, and the exploration of difficult memories.

Benefits of Ketamine

Increases neuro-plasticity: the ability of the nervous system to change and adapt
Few drug-drug interactions
Anti-inflammatory effects
Improved sleep patterns
Reduction in chronic pain
Enhanced cognitive function

Risks of Ketamine

Can temporarily increase blood pressure
Can lead to dysphoria, agitation, and drowsiness
Can lead to addiction when used in recreational settings
Can lead to feeling worse before feeling better

The risks of ketamine usually occur when it is taken at high doses over a long period of time. So far, there have been a few studies that have shown high doses over 1.5 years have not been associated with adverse effects. If you currently have high blood pressure, it is best to talk to your prescribing provider before initiating ketamine therapy.

Given the detachment that occurs while on ketamine, it is often prescribed in conjunction with therapy as a way of promoting conversation about topics/emotions that would otherwise be hard to access or too painful to engage with effectively.

Ketamine Therapy Administration

We offer ketamine therapy in several different ways:

We offer lozenge prescriptions for KAP sessions at the clinic, ketamine assisted massage, and ketamine assisted acupuncture. Patients may receive ongoing mental health counseling, integrative and holistic medical treatment, and/or ongoing bodywork and massage as part of their ketamine therapy.

Patients with a referral from their therapist may also receive a lozenge prescription for Ketamine Assisted Therapy (KAP) at their therapist’s office.

You will work with your provider to determine the dosage, length, and intensity of your session. Your provider will also work with you before each session to ensure you are prepared to gain the most benefit, and afterwards to integrate the experience. Our longest sessions are 3-hour, which allows a patient to dive into themselves, facilitating deep work on the root causes of any ongoing emotional pain or suffering.

Scheduling Appointments

For new patients interested in Ketamine Therapy Sessions, please reach out to schedule an initial consultation with Josie Boyden, or schedule a Discovery Call online.

For new patients interested in experiencing ketamine as part of a holistic treatment approach, combining ketamine with modalities from functional medicine, naturopathic medicine, and Chinese medicine, begin your journey by scheduling an Initial Visit with Dr. Dana.

For new patients interested in ketamine massage, please schedule an initial massage with Shane.

For existing patients interested in ketamine therapy please reach out or talk to your provider about how to proceed.

For patients with a referral from a therapist for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), and who will be undergoing KAP at their therapist’s office, please schedule a Telehealth Screening for KAP with Dr. Jonathan.

For non ketamine related fees please see the Payment Options page for more details.

Appointment Fees

Telehealth Screening for KAP

$ 250

This is a 1 hour intake session with Dr. Jonathan for patients who have a Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) therapist referral and is focused around a ketamine lozenge prescription for KAP at the therapist’s office.
Existing patients and patients interested in KAP at the clinic, ketamine assisted acupuncture, or ketamine assisted massage, should also schedule this session for an intake and lozenge prescription.

Schedule

Ketamine Lozenge Prescription Fee

$ 50

This is an administrative fee for submission of your ketamine lozenge prescription to the pharmacy.

Schedule

Ketamine Therapy Session

This is a 3 hour Ketamine Therapy session. Patients will have 1:1 attendance with one of our practitioners, which includes time to prepare for the session and copious integration time afterwards.
In order to make these sessions as accessible as possible the fee will vary depending on the practitioner and the intensity of the session. We estimate the majority of sessions will fall between $300-$500, but could be higher or lower.
We also invite patients to give beyond the charged amount if it feels right.
This session cannot be scheduled online, please contact us.

Contact

For all ketamine assisted sessions that are of shorter duration, such as low-dose ketamine assisted acupuncture, there is no additional fee beyond the regular appointment fee for the incorporation of ketamine into the treatment.

Direct Care Membership

Patients on a membership plan receive a 20% discount on all ketamine services, including Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) sessions, follow-up appointments, and massage. For membership patients with lozenge prescriptions there is no additional fee for ketamine-assisted acupuncture treatments.

Insurance

Insurance generally does not cover ketamine therapy, but we may be able to bill your insurance plan for time spent in-office. You will be responsible for any copay, deductible, or co-insurance as detailed in your policy. If your policy does not cover a minimum of 50% of the billed services we will ask you to pay the difference. Services are billed to your insurance based on our Fee Schedule.

We are out of network with all payers. If your insurance plan is an HMO out of network payers are not covered. If your plan is a PPO then it will likely provide some level of coverage. You are responsible for determining if and how much your plan will cover.

The clinic does not bill Medicare, and all Medicare-eligible patients will be asked to refuse Medicare coverage for any services received.

About Whole Systems Healthcare

WSHC Seattle Clinic is a member of a larger 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our mission is to develop a thriving integrative healthcare system built in the vision of holistic medicine clinicians, researchers, educators, and the communities they serve.

Our compassionate team of providers offer integrative primary care for all ages and genders, as well as targeted naturopathic adjunctive support for all of your health concerns.

We take the time to listen to you, respect your opinion, and care for you as a whole person through a truly holistic approach.

Ketamine Therapy ​at Whole Systems Healthcare