Ketamine-Assisted Therapy: Answers to the Most Common Questions

At The Healing Fountain, we're committed to offering care that supports healing on every level — emotional, physical, and spiritual. For some people, Ketamine-Assisted Therapy (KAP) offers a deeper way forward when other approaches haven’t quite been enough.

This kind of therapy brings up a lot of questions — and maybe even some hesitation. That’s totally understandable. The goal is to help clients feel informed and grounded as they explore whether this path is right for them.

Here are some of the most common questions heard from clients:

What is Ketamine-Assisted Therapy and is it legal?

KAP is a type of therapy that combines the use of ketamine (a legal, FDA-approved medicine) with talk and somatic therapy.

Ketamine is given in a prescribed individual dose, usually as a lozenge (dissolved under the tongue). The medicine helps dissociate and observe one's negative thinking patterns, which can make it easier to explore emotions and gain insight.

How does it work?

Ketamine-Assisted Therapy is offered by Pamela Hopkins in partnership with Journey Clinical, a licensed medical organization that specializes in the safe and responsible prescribing of ketamine for mental health professionals. Through this collaboration, Pamela provides integrative psychotherapy while Journey Clinical's medical team oversees the evaluation, prescribing, and monitoring process.

Here’s how it works:

If ketamine seems like a good fit, clients are referred to Journey Clinical for a virtual medical evaluation. Their team of licensed medical prescribers will assess health history, answer any questions, and determine if ketamine is appropriate and safe.

If approved, Journey Clinical will provide the prescription and dosing instructions virtually and send it to the client personally. Clients bring their prescribed medication to their KAP sessions.

Pamela guides clients through the full therapeutic process — including preparation before the ketamine session and integration therapy afterward to help process and apply what comes up.

What happens during the process?

KAP usually includes three individual parts:

1. Preparation — Clients meet with Pamela ahead of time and set personal goals and expectations. Instructions are provided about what to expect.

2. Dosing/Navigation — The medicine is taken in a calm, private, and safe setting, with Pamela guiding the journey and holding the space.

3. Integration — After the experience, clients meet again with Pamela to talk about the experience and how to apply it to healing and personal growth.

   
   

Is it safe?

Safety is always the first priority. Before beginning treatment, clients go through a screening process with Journey Clinical to make sure it’s a safe and appropriate option.

Is it covered by insurance?

The ketamine dosing session itself is not covered by insurance, since ketamine is still considered “off-label” for mental health treatment.

However, the therapy sessions before and after (preparation and integration) are often reimbursable through insurance — especially if the provider is in-network or if clients have out-of-network benefits.

The office will take care of checking benefits, walking clients through the process, and answering any questions about cost and coverage.

What can ketamine therapy help with?

While every person’s experience is unique, ketamine-assisted therapy has shown promise in supporting people navigating:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Trauma and PTSD

• Emotional burnout

• Addictions

• Alcohol abuse

• Feeling stuck or disconnected, even after long-term therapy

  
  

It’s not magic, but for some, it opens new doors to healing that other approaches haven’t.

Do I need to be in therapy to do this?

Yes. Pamela meets with clients initially to decide when is the most appropriate time to start. KAP is not a stand-alone treatment — the therapy component is essential. Clients begin with preparation sessions, and after the ketamine experience, continue with integration therapy to help make sense of what came up and how to apply it in daily life.

How do I know if this is right for me?

Clients don’t have to decide right away. If there is curiosity, it’s encouraged to book a session with Pamela.

Pamela's favorite line is, “The proof is in the pudding — and you'll know if this is right for you or not after the first two sessions.”

Still have questions?

It's perfectly normal to have questions or feel unsure. Whether someone is exploring new options or simply wants to learn more, support is available. If you have any questions, we’d be happy to talk — just give us a call.