Ketamine-Assisted Therapy in Washington, DC

Jess Stern, LPC — EMDRIA-certified EMDR therapist, licensed in DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) combines low-dose prescribed ketamine with structured psychotherapy before and after the medicine session. It is used for treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and trauma that has not responded to conventional therapy. At Alleviate Trauma, KAP is provided by Jess Stern, LPC by telehealth to adults in Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Ketamine-assisted therapy (KAP) is one of the most promising treatments available for people whose depression, trauma, or anxiety has not moved with traditional approaches. I work with clients in Washington, DC and across the DMV who are ready to try something that can reach what talk therapy alone has not been able to touch.

What Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Is

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy pairs the medicine with intentional therapeutic support before and after the experience. This is different from a ketamine infusion clinic where you receive treatment and leave. In KAP, the medicine is a catalyst. The real work happens in the preparation, the integration, and the therapeutic relationship that holds all of it together.

At therapeutic doses, ketamine produces a temporary shift in consciousness that quiets the brain’s defensive structures and increases neuroplasticity. For people whose trauma or depression has felt locked in place for years, that window of openness can allow movement that would not otherwise be possible.

How I Work with KAP Clients

I earned a Certificate of Completion in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Theory and Methodology from Journey Clinical. My approach is integration-focused and trauma-informed. I treat the medicine as one part of a larger therapeutic arc, not the destination.

I work with KAP clients in a preparation-and-integration model. You obtain and take ketamine through a prescribing provider, who oversees the medicine and your dosing sessions. I don't prescribe, and I'm not present during dosing. Before each medicine session, we meet to prepare so you know what to expect and have clear intentions. Afterward, we meet for integration within 24–48 hours to process what came up and turn it into lasting change.

What KAP Can Help With

KAP has shown particular promise for treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety disorders, and existential distress related to grief, illness, or major life transitions. It is not a first-line treatment. Most clients who come to me for KAP have already tried other approaches and are looking for something that can go where those did not. EMDR and IFS are often woven into integration work, since the neuroplasticity window ketamine opens can make those modalities even more effective.

A Note from Jess

I came to KAP because I saw how much my EMDR clients were able to move when the nervous system had more flexibility. Ketamine can create that flexibility. It is not right for everyone, and I will never push it. If you are curious, the best first step is a consultation where we can talk honestly about whether this makes sense for where you are.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ketamine-Assisted Therapy

Is ketamine-assisted therapy right for me?

KAP is most appropriate for people who have tried other treatments — therapy, medication, or both — and still feel stuck. It’s particularly well-suited for treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, complex trauma, and anxiety that hasn’t responded to conventional approaches. It’s not a first-line treatment, and a free consultation is the best way to assess whether it makes sense for your specific situation.

Are you present during dosing sessions?

No. Jess works in a preparation-and-integration model. Your prescribing provider oversees the medicine and dosing, and Jess supports you with preparation sessions beforehand and integration sessions within 24–48 hours after.

Do I need a ketamine prescription? How do I get one?

Yes, a prescription is required, and Jess can help you find a prescriber. Jess does not prescribe ketamine herself — a qualified medical provider evaluates your eligibility and issues the prescription if appropriate. You do not need to have that arranged before reaching out.

Is KAP covered by insurance?

The therapy sessions (preparation and integration) may be covered by insurance. Jess's in-network (Headway) caseload is currently full and her insurance waitlist is closed, so new KAP clients are private pay. The medicine itself is typically not covered. Jess offers out-of-network superbills for the therapy component, and many clients with PPO plans receive 50–80% reimbursement. See the Rates & Insurance page for details.

Where do dosing sessions take place? Is it safe to do at home?

Dosing sessions take place in your own home, which most clients find more comfortable and personal than a clinic setting. Your prescriber's safety protocols, along with set-and-setting preparation, are covered in advance. You will need a trusted person available nearby on dosing days.

How does KAP work with EMDR? Why combine them?

Ketamine increases neuroplasticity — the brain’s openness to change. EMDR and IFS are most effective when the nervous system has enough flexibility to reprocess old material without shutting down. KAP can create that window. For clients with complex or treatment-resistant trauma, combining a ketamine experience with EMDR integration work often produces movement that neither approach achieves alone.

Getting Started with KAP in Washington, DC

Alleviate Trauma is located in Capitol Hill, Washington, DC and offers KAP by telehealth to clients in DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. If you’ve been searching for ketamine-assisted psychotherapy in Washington, DC, the next step is a free 15-minute consultation. We’ll talk about what’s brought you here, whether KAP makes sense, and what a path forward might look like.