Ketamine

I’m a

Therapist

Together, we will craft a

shame LOVE story

about who you are, how you perceive the world, and your special place within it.

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (GA)

  • Completed a year-long certification as a Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy Practitioner (IPI)

  • Trained through the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) in MDMA Assisted Psychotherapy

  • Additional Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) training through PRATI and Fluence

  • I have been providing this type of therapy since 2019

  • Specializing in treating clients with trauma who can’t get unstuck from rigid thought or behavior patterns (depression, anxiety, addiction, perfectionism, etc.)

  • Happy to work with clients in recovery from substance misuse

About

Working with psychedelic medicines is the great privilege of my life. I certainly didn’t grow up thinking I would end up here, but it happened. I began my journey working with Ketamine, an FDA approved psychedelic, in 2019. I worked for a progressive substance use treatment center that also happened to own Athens first Ketamine clinic. As my clients began to receive these services, I simply couldn’t ignore their transformations. This is where my journey to becoming a certified psychedelic therapist began.

Prior to this, my specialty focus was trauma and substance misuse (addiction). Now, I have combined these areas of knowledge into a specific protocol that includes assessment, preparation, medicine, and integration therapy.

My clients have typically experienced trauma that is now manifesting as a rigid thought or behavior pattern that feels difficult to change. An example of this would be a child who grew up in a home where love was based on performance. The child needs to be safe and secure in the feeling that they are loved just as they are, but that didn’t happen. This client may identify as an empath or perfectionist and can’t seem to exit the pattern. They may also struggle with behaviors designed to soothe the underlying trauma. That might be alcohol abuse, controlling, distracting, avoidance, and more.

This presentation of childhood trauma + a coping persona + maladaptive behaviors is what I do. I use several therapeutic modalities in combination with psychedelic or Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) including EMDR, ACT, MI, and parts work. My job is to get clients prepared by setting the context and expectations for their medicine session, to help them reveal and target specific patterns, and to assist in understanding and integrating their medicine experience into everyday life.

What clients often misunderstand is that psychedelic therapy is not a magic pill. The healing is not in the medicine alone, though it’s an excellent helper. You can think of the medicine as simply a telephone to your higher self. To be clear, for many, that’s a game changer! Through trauma and adversity, they may never have connected with that part of themselves. This part is safe, loved, wise and inherently knows how to heal you. It wants you to feel loved just as you are. My job is to make the introduction, and then to deepen the connection through integration, which takes time and practice.

I’ll be with you throughout your healing journey, and I have guided over 100 individual clients through this process. To connect with me, please use the schedule consultation button. It is linked directly to my calendar. You may also text or call 706-389-9684.

  • In 2017, I completed my master's degree in clinical social work at the University of Georgia, obtaining the qualifications to offer mental health counseling.

    I have also completed the education component of a year-long training to become a certified Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy Practitioner (PPAP) through the Integrative Psychiatry Institute (IPI). I must still complete an in-person weekend training in Colorado to officially earn my certification. This intensive year-long certification program has equipped me to work with a range of psychedelic substances, including specialized training in MDMA therapy under the guidance of the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). I have also received Ketamine-specific training from PRATI and Fluence.

    I have additional training in Somatic and Attachment Focused Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) through the Personal Transformation Institute.

    Generally, my extensive experience spans various therapeutic modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). This diverse training enables me to offer a comprehensive and personalized approach, tailored to address the unique needs of each client.

  • Many clients find Ketamine to be a preferred option due to its legality, accessibility, and effectiveness. Part of wha. I offer is an integrative medicine approach through my partnership with Journey Clinical. You will be medically assessed by a psychiatrist and prescribed Ketamine if appropriate.

    Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy protocol generally includes a thorough assessment, preparation sessions, and integration sessions.

    The assessment is pivotal in uncovering the root cause of your suffering and understanding the challenges in your healing journey. It serves as a foundation, steering us toward profound healing rather than merely addressing symptoms.

    Preparation sessions support you in establishing therapy goals, enhancing self-awareness, and getting you ready to engage with the psychedelic medicine.

    Integration sessions follow each medicine session, aiming to deepen your understanding of your psychedelic experience and integrate it into your daily life. Ketamine sessions can be at a Ketamine clinic, in the comfort of your home, or in my office, and are always followed by an integration session. Ongoing integration is the art of preserving the benefits from these medicine sessions. Throughout this entire process, I am committed to providing support and guiding you on your path towards healing and self-discovery.

  • Ketamine has shown promising results in helping individuals with certain mental illnesses, and its effectiveness is still an area of ongoing research. The exact mechanisms of how ketamine works to alleviate symptoms of mental illness are not fully understood, but there are several theories:

    Encouraging cognitive flexibility vs. rigidity: It is postulated that the the medicine shuts down the area of the brain (Default Mode Network) where the ego resides, and encourages new and varied connections throughout the brain. It is as though the ego wants to run a certain program, and the medicine pauses it. In this way, clients are able to see an alternative way of being and access feelings of safety, joy, and connection that the ego blocks. This is a difficult experience to forget and tends to lead to a more flexible self-identity vs. an ego-based identity that consistently needs to defend itself or color reality in a way that is predictable.

    Glutamate Modulation: Ketamine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, which means it affects the glutamate neurotransmitter system. This modulation may lead to increased synaptic plasticity, promoting the formation of new neural connections.

    Neuroplasticity: Ketamine has been associated with promoting neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections. This may contribute to improved mood and cognitive function.

    Inflammatory Response: Some studies suggest that ketamine may have anti-inflammatory effects, and inflammation has been linked to certain mental health conditions. By reducing inflammation, ketamine might contribute to symptom relief.

    Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF): Ketamine has been found to increase the production of BDNF, a protein that supports the growth and maintenance of neurons. This increase in BDNF levels may play a role in the antidepressant effects of ketamine.

    Rapid Onset of Action: Unlike traditional antidepressants, ketamine often produces rapid effects, sometimes within hours. This quick onset of action can be crucial for individuals in acute distress.

    It's important to note that while ketamine has shown promise, it is not a first-line treatment for all mental health conditions, and its long-term effects and safety are still being studied. Ketamine treatment is typically administered under medical supervision, and its use for mental health purposes is often prescribed "off-label" by healthcare professionals. It's crucial for individuals considering ketamine treatment to discuss the potential benefits and risks with their healthcare provider.

  • I am available to work with clients who have independently chosen to explore therapeutic experiences with various psychedelic medicines, including but not limited to Psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, Ayahuasca, Mescaline, San Pedro, Ibogaine, DMT, and 5-MeO-DMT. Each of these substances has unique properties, and I am committed to providing a supportive and integrative space for individuals seeking healing.

    I cannot provide advice or endorse the use of psychedelic medicines as mental health treatments. However, I recognize that some individuals choose to explore these substances independently, often due to frustration with the conventional medical system and limited access to alternative treatments. As a social worker and harm reductionist, my priority is to promote safety and offer support to those who decide to engage with these substances. My role involves providing guidance on minimizing potential risks, promoting responsible use, and integrating the experiences into their lives in a way that prioritizes well-being.

    It's essential for clients considering psychedelic therapy to engage in thorough discussions with their healthcare provider, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the potential risks, benefits, and legal implications associated with the chosen substances. If you are interested in exploring psychedelic-assisted therapy, we can collaborate to create a personalized and safe therapeutic journey that aligns with your goals and needs.

  • I do not directly accept insurance, and I am out-of-network with all insurers. However, I am more than willing to provide a superbill, allowing you to request reimbursement from your insurance company for therapy sessions. It's important to be aware that superbill submissions require me to furnish your insurance company with a diagnosis and details about the type of therapy provided. I recommend the Reimbursify app to easily submit reimbursement claims by taking a picture of your bill.

    My hourly rate is $150.