More Information

I am currently booking my in-person sessions in the Humanly offices located in Decatur, GA.

Decatur Office Address:
1123 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30030

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, which is an evidence based psychotherapy approach designed to help individuals process and overcome traumatic experiences. It is a structured protocol that includes recalling traumatic or distressing memories while simultaneously adding in bilateral stimulation, such as tracking dots on a screen (for telehealth EMDR Therapy), bilateral tapping, or alternating tones in headphones. This allows an individual to stimulate the brain’s information processing system and reduce the intensity of the traumatic memory. EMDR Therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and attachment wound healing.

In an effort to provide the public with skilled practitioners of EMDR, the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) developed a certification process. To achieve the designation of EMDRIA Certified Therapist, a licensed mental health clinician must go beyond the basic EMDR Institute Level I and Level II training required to be able to offer EMDR Therapy, and demonstrate clinical proficiency in their EMDR skills.

To earn the designation of EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist, a therapist must provide written documentation to support that they have completed an EMDRIA approved Level I & II training program in EMDR, have conducted a minimum of fifty clinical sessions in which EMDR was utilized, have received twenty hours of consultation by an EMDRIA Approved Consultant, and received three letters of recommendation from EMDR therapists who are familiar with the therapists EMDR skill, knowledge and ethical practice.

In addition, to maintain Certification, a therapist must complete at least twelve hours of continuing education in EMDR every two years.

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a legal, safe and effective medicine used to treat a variety of mental
health conditions, including depression, anxiety and PTSD. Ketamine has
rapidly-acting antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects, which can begin to
take effect within 1-2 hrs. after treatment and last for up to 2 weeks. It works by
blocking the brain’s NMDA receptors as well as by stimulating AMPA receptors,
which are thought to help form new synaptic connections and boost neural
circuits that regulate stress and mood. Ketamine has also been shown to
enhance overall neuroplasticity for lasting symptom improvement.

Ketamine can be administered in a variety of ways, including IV infusion,
intramuscular injection, via nasal spray and using sublingual lozenges. In my
work with Skylight Psychedelics, we only use the sublingual lozenge form. I also partner with a local prescribing doctor in Atlanta, GA who can do a direct psychological assessment with you, prescribe and send over sublingual lozenges, and discuss dosage/eligibility with you at your leisure. Both Skylight and my partnered doctor in Atlanta, GA are virtual assessment visits.

If you prefer an in-person assessment session, I also partner with Dr. Nathan Skoller, who offers a full psychological assessment, both for mental health treatment and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy. Dr. Skoller also offers IV or IM route of administration for KAP sessions. For more information related to which type of KAP sessions are best suited for you, schedule a consultation via phone call or email through the contact page here.

How Does Ketamine Feel?
The effects of ketamine, which most patients find pleasant, last for approximately
45 minutes. These effects can make you feel “far from” your body, and facilitate
shifts in perception that can often feel expansive in nature. Your motor and verbal
abilities will be reduced, so you’ll be lying down in a comfortable position during
the experience. Once these effects subsided, we’ll spend the remainder of our
appointment giving you space to process and discuss your experience. While it
may feel hard to articulate what happened during the experience, patients feel
like the insights gained are none-the-less clear. Studies have shown that the
benefits to mood and neurological growth can last up to two weeks after the
Ketamine experience.

Ketamine can be especially helpful as an adjunct and combination with existing therapy. Ketamine specifically allows a temporary ease in your psychological defenses, giving rise to better outcomes of therapy. It permits the default mode network in your brain to relax a bit, allowing for deeper self-reflection and ultimately more therapeutic work. It helps to ease rigid thoughts and rumination. Ketamine can be used for a variety of mental health diagnoses including anxiety, depression, post- traumatic stress disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. Ketamine assisted psychotherapy is NOT covered by insurance in most cases.

Benefits of KAP

Elevation of mood
Reduction of anxiety
Openness, especially as it relates to PTSD (ability to get unstuck)
Reduction in sensations of depression and depressive episodes
Increase in cognitive functioning

Typical Structure of Sessions

Most people benefit from 4 to 6 KAP sessions. Prior to those sessions, I recommend preparation sessions (these can be billed to your insurance) to prepare you for the journey, set intentions and learn how the sessions go. I also recommend integration after your sessions (also covered by insurance). I usually recommend 1 to 2 preparation sessions, 4 to 6 KAP sessions, and 1 to 2 integration sessions.

Initial consultation with Medical Practitioner to determine Eligibility

You schedule an initial evaluation with a Physician either from the Skylight Psychedelics medical team via zoom, a local atlanta Doctor I am partnered with for sublingual KAP prescriptions, or through Dr. Nathan Skoller (in person in Decatur) for IM/IV KAP. They will go over your medical and psychiatric history with you, provide education on the treatment and determine if you are eligible for KAP. This can be done directly through their websites which I can provide during our initial consultation.

If your medical team (virtual or in-person prescriber) determines that you are eligible for KAP, they will develop a personalized Ketamine prescription and outcome monitoring plan for you.

The medical staff will write a ketamine prescription for you, and their determined amount of oral ketamine will be sent to your home (for sublingual KAP sessions). You will be taught to take your vitals and self-administer the ketamine lozenges by your medical team in advance of our KAP sessions.

Preparation sessions:
Once you receive your ketamine lozenges, we will schedule time together
for our KAP preparation, dosing and integration sessions. Preparation
session(s) will be scheduled just like regular therapy sessions prior to the
KAP dosing session. The goal of a preparation session(s) is to align on
the process and set intentions for our KAP sessions together.

KAP Dosing Session:
A typical ketamine dosing session lasts between 1-2 hours and will take
place in-person at my office in Decatur, GA.

During a dosing session, you will self-administer your ketamine lozenge
in my office. You will be in a comfortable, reclining position wearing an eye mask and listening to calming music. Although a KAP dosing session may be largely an internal experience, I will be present with you the entire time to hold space and provide support as needed.

Integration Sessions:

After our KAP dosing session, we will meet for multiple integration therapy
sessions to review the memories, thoughts & insights that arose during
your dosing session, and to prepare for the next dosing session.
Follow-up consultations with Skylight Psychedelics:

After our first KAP session, Skylight Psychedelic’s medical team schedules
regular follow ups with you to monitor outcomes and prescribe ketamine
lozenge refills, as appropriate. If you choose the “go deeper” plan, you will then receive 6 additional doses for your following journeys.

What is the Cost of Treatment?

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is an affordable, accessible modality. Although
the medical intake and follow ups are not covered by insurance, they are eligible
for out-of-network reimbursement.
○ Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
■ My typical hourly rate is $150/hr
○ Skylight Psychedelics Medical Costs:
■ Medical Intake and first 2 doses: $289 (One time fee, reimbursable through
out-of-network)
■ Follow-up Doses and Medical Screenings: this varies by plan, check out their website on membership information here: https://skylightpsychedelics.com/services/

How Do I Sign Up?

If you would like to explore the possibility of working with me on KAP, please
e-mail me at [email protected] to discuss eligibility and next steps.

Currently, I am in network with the following plans: UnitedHealthcare, Oxford Health Plans, Aetna, UMR, Oscar, UHC Student Resources, AllSavers UHC, Harvard Pilgrim, Meritain, and Nippon. If you would like to verify your benefits, shoot me an email and I will have your co-pay information and verification availability within 24-48 hours. If you do not see your insurance listed, I can offer a superbill to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Yes, help is available at your time and place.

Providing the same treatment as in person therapy sessions, yes even EMDR. Telehealth Video Therapy Sessions are HIPAA compliant, the simple & secure teletherapy solution. Communicate as often as you want and whenever you feel it’s needed. Start your video sessions today, no download required and all services are conducted via a HIPAA compliant platform.

Reasons tele-health may be a good fit for you:

Transportation: including access, costs for transit and/or parking, vehicle dependability
Convenience: available when you are available—even during lunch hour
Caregiver Responsibilities: including childcare, partner care, and eldercare
Accessibility: including physical limitations, mental health limitations
Work/Life Balance: asking for time off work can be a challenge
Comfort: therapy is delivered in the comfort of your home – when and where you need it
Weather: weather is either unpredictable — who wants to commute
Privacy: no waiting room encounters
Safety: ideal for victims of intimate partner violence or other safety concerns

While medication has been shown to help with many different diagnoses, it has also been proven that time and time again, it often isn’t enough. Medication often treats the symptoms of a problem, without getting to the root of solving it, which is where therapy comes in. The decision to take psychotropic medications or not, is a highly personal one, and your personal wishes will be honored. If in the course of treatment, you decided you might benefit from medications, I will refer you out to a trusted provider.

People are turning more and more to holistic and natural alternatives to modern medicine to treat mental, physical and spiritual issues. I fully support alternative options as such essential oils, chiropractic and massage care, yoga, diet/exercise and nutrition options, and other means you might explore to improve your well being. I can refer you to professional holistic providers in the area for further consultation, if requested.