Are you trained properly to do EMDR therapy?

Yes. Jess is certified through EMDRIA, the governing body for EMDR, meaning she has met all required education and supervision standards. She is also trained in EMDR 2.0, the FLASH technique, and is pursuing a Somatic EMDR certification.

Does EMDR work online?

Yes. Research supports the effectiveness of online EMDR therapy. Alleviate Trauma offers EMDR via secure telehealth throughout DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

How does ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) work? Is it done online?

KAP integrates low-dose ketamine with structured psychotherapy. Sessions include preparation, a supported dosing session, and integration sessions afterward. Clients obtain a prescription from a collaborating ketamine prescriber. All therapy sessions with Jess take place via secure telehealth. Preparation and integration sessions may be covered if Alleviate Trauma is in your network.

Do you take insurance?

Yes. Alleviate Trauma is in-network with Aetna, Providence, and Kaiser Permanente through Headway for clients in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Out-of-network superbills are available for clients with other insurance plans.

What is EMDR therapy and how does it help with trauma recovery?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy recognized by the WHO, APA, and VA as a frontline treatment for PTSD. It uses bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer drive current reactions. Unlike talk therapy, EMDR does not require detailed verbal recounting of traumatic events.

Where can I find a trauma-informed therapist in the DMV area?

Alleviate Trauma offers trauma-informed therapy throughout Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania via telehealth. Jess Stern is an EMDRIA-certified EMDR therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Capitol Hill, Washington DC. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation at alleviatetrauma.com.

Is Alleviate Trauma LGBTQIA+ friendly?

Yes. Jess is an out lesbian and has spent her entire clinical career working predominantly with LGBTQ+ adults. Affirmation is built into the practice, not added on. She works with queer, trans, and nonbinary clients, as well as those in polyamorous or non-traditional relationship structures.

What are effective treatments for adults with ADHD?

For adults with ADHD, effective therapy goes beyond symptom management. Alleviate Trauma uses ADHD-informed therapy that addresses executive dysfunction, emotional dysregulation, rejection sensitivity, and the shame that accumulates from years of misunderstanding. EMDR and IFS are incorporated where there is a trauma layer.

How do I find a therapist who offers Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) requires a therapist trained in psychedelic-assisted therapy and a collaborating prescriber. Jess Stern at Alleviate Trauma holds a Certificate in KAP Theory and Methodology from Journey Clinical and offers both full KAP (therapist present during dosing) and prep-and-integration models in Washington DC and the DMV.

Why might I choose to pay privately instead of using insurance?

Paying privately keeps your care entirely between you and your therapist. No diagnosis is required for insurance records, no treatment plan is shared with a third party, and sessions can be tailored entirely to your goals. Many clients with PPO plans also use out-of-network benefits and receive 50-80% reimbursement via superbill.

Sunset over a winding mountain road with green hills and rocky terrain.

Ketamine-Assisted Therapy in Washington, DC

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, during, 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 offer two ways of working with KAP, depending on your needs and budget.

In the full KAP model, I am present with you via secure telehealth video throughout your dosing session. You take the medicine at home in a comfortable, private space while I hold the container, ensure safety, and stay available if you want to share or need support. This model offers the most direct therapeutic support during the experience itself.

In the prep and integration model, you obtain and take ketamine independently through a prescribing provider, and we do not meet during the dosing session itself. Instead, I support you with thorough preparation sessions beforehand so you know what to expect and have your intentions clear. Afterward, we meet for integration sessions within 24-48 hours to process what came up and translate it into lasting change. This model makes KAP support accessible for clients who cannot afford the full model but still want skilled therapeutic guidance around the experience.

Both paths include the same quality of therapeutic attention. The difference is simply whether I am present during the dosing itself.

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.

What is the difference between the full KAP model and prep-and-integration?

In the full KAP model, Jess is present via secure telehealth video during your entire dosing session, holding the therapeutic container in real time. In the prep-and-integration model, you take the medicine independently through a prescribing provider, and Jess supports you with preparation sessions before and integration sessions within 24–48 hours after. Both include the same quality of therapeutic attention; the difference is whether Jess is present during the dosing itself.

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

Yes. Jess works with prescribing providers through Journey Clinical and can connect you with a collaborating psychiatrist who evaluates your medical eligibility and issues the prescription if appropriate. You do not need to arrange this on your own before reaching out.

Is KAP covered by insurance?

The therapy sessions (preparation and integration) may be covered if Alleviate Trauma is in-network with your plan. 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. In the full KAP model, Jess is present via video throughout the session. Safety protocols, set and setting preparation, and emergency procedures are all 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 to clients throughout the DMV via telehealth. 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.