Welcome to Athena Counseling

At Athena Counseling, we provide a wide range of therapies tailored to our clients' needs, including Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Play Therapy, Family Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing, Art Therapy, Group Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) for individuals 18 and older. Our goal is to foster personal growth, resilience, and positive change, supporting clients in overcoming challenges such as trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues.

​

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) for Deep Healing and Transformation FAQ

At Athena Counseling, we offer Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) to support adults who have not responded to traditional behavioral health treatments, including those experiencing treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, complex trauma, insomnia, anxiety related to terminal illness, bipolar depression, certain eating disorders, and mild to moderate OCD. Our practice provides a safe, inclusive, and LGBTQIA+ affirming space, welcoming first responders, healthcare providers, veterans, and survivors of assault. We integrate somatic therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and existential approaches to enhance the healing process. KAP offers a unique opportunity for deep therapeutic exploration, helping clients process trauma, shift ingrained patterns, and move toward greater emotional resilience and well-being.

​

What is KAP (Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy)?

KAP is a therapeutic process that combines the use of ketamine with psychotherapy to support deeper emotional healing and personal growth. Ketamine helps create a temporary shift in awareness, allowing you to access thoughts, emotions, and memories from a different, more open perspective.

​

Sessions are carefully structured to include preparation before the medicine, therapist-supported guidance during the ketamine experience, and integration afterward to help you process insights and apply them in daily life. During the ketamine journey, clients are typically in a resting pose—lying down in a dark, quiet room—with eyes closed or covered, often listening to music. I remain present throughout the entire session, providing quiet support, safety monitoring, and guidance as needed.

​

What Does a KAP Cycle Include?

​

• KAP Session (120 Minutes Total)

  • 30 minutes Pre-KAP Preparation/Post-KAP Check-in: We discuss your intentions, review your history, and prepare for the experience. For ongoing sessions: We will discuss insights from your last session and prepare for today’s journey.

  • Sublingual Ketamine Administration: Ketamine is provided as a troche (dissolvable tablet under the tongue), prescribed by a licensed medical provider I work with. It typically takes 15–20 minutes to take effect.

  • Medicine Journey (Approximately 40–45 minutes): Once the medicine takes effect, you’ll enter a therapeutic state supported by music and my presence as your guide. Each experience is unique—some clients feel calm detachment, while others experience vivid imagery or emotional processing.

  • Session Close and Grounding (Remaining time): After the medicine effects subside, we use the remaining time to help you ground, reflect briefly, and prepare for post-KAP integration, which will occur in a separate session before your next KAP.

• Final Integration Session (30–60 Minutes, No Medicine)

  • Focused psychotherapy to reflect on the full KAP series.

  • Can be billed through insurance as standard psychotherapy.

 

Important Information:

All ketamine is prescribed by a collaborating licensed medical provider (if you are a new KAP client, a medical evaluation and clearance will be required to confirm you qualify for treatment).

Medicine is taken via sublingual troches, not IV or IM.

First session includes only pre-KAP preparation then following sessions will include post-KAP integration.

 

What does it cost?

$300 per 2-hour session [Insurance does not cover KAP]

Post-KAP Integration (no medicine): $150 per 30-minute session [also billable through insurance]

 

Who is KAP for?

KAP may be helpful for individuals experiencing trauma and PTSD, depression or anxiety that has not responded to traditional therapy, and chronic stress or emotional numbness.

 

What does KAP feel like?
Clients often describe a sense of calm, detachment from day-to-day thinking, or gaining new emotional insights. Your experience is unique and guided with therapist support throughout.

 

Is it safe?
Yes, ketamine is a legally prescribed medicine. Safety screenings are completed before beginning KAP, and a licensed professional is present throughout each session.

 

How do I get started?
Schedule a KAP consultation by calling or texting (520) 477-8697 or emailing jacqueline@athenacounseling.net.

​

Where can I find more information:  

• "A New Patient’s Guide to Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy" – from Pacific Neuroscience Institute. Easy-to-follow introduction covering what to expect and how KAP works: https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/blog/brain-health/a-new-patients-guide-to-ketamine-assisted-psychotherapy/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

• "An Introduction to Ketamine‑Assisted Psychotherapy" – from Psychology Today, highlighting KAP’s benefits for emotional exploration and trauma healing: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/tripping-20/202104/what-kind-psychedelic-therapy-is-right-you

• "A Comprehensive Guide to Ketamine‑Assisted Psychotherapy" – by Carma Health. Explains how ketamine enhances neuroplasticity and supports long-term mental health improvements: https://carmahealth.com/a-comprehensive-guide-to-ketamine-assisted-psychotherapy/?utm_source=chatgpt.com​

​