Frequently
Asked Questions

No, a referral is not required to receive ketamine-assisted psychotherapy at Joy In Health. However, Dr. Chanoff and our team of therapists work closely with each patient along with their outside clinicians to assess whether this treatment is the right fit. Each patient undergoes a comprehensive intake with Dr. Chanoff and their Joy In Health psychotherapist to develop a personalized and collaborative treatment plan tailored to their needs.

Yes—Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is considered safe when administered under the care of trained medical and mental health professionals. At Joy In Health, all KAP sessions are conducted in a controlled clinical environment, with careful monitoring throughout the experience to ensure your safety and comfort.

Ketamine has been used in medical settings for decades and is recognized by organizations like the National Institute of Mental Health and the American Psychiatric Association for its effectiveness in treating depression and other mood disorders. When combined with psychotherapy, ketamine’s safety profile remains strong, and the added therapeutic support can deepen emotional processing and integration.

As with any treatment, we conduct a thorough intake to determine whether KAP is appropriate for your individual needs and health history.

A typical session at Joy In Health involves a calm, supportive environment where set and setting are carefully curated. Sessions may include tailored music playlists, a 3-hour ketamine therapy experience, and integration discussions to process insights. The goal is to create a safe and deeply introspective space for healing​. 

Ketamine assisted psychotherapy involves the administration of ketamine—a medication commonly used for anesthesia and pain management—in conjunction with psychotherapeutic support to address a variety of mental health conditions. Unlike traditional antidepressant medications, which can take weeks or even months to produce effects, ketamine works rapidly, often providing relief from symptoms within hours or days.

During a ketamine assisted psychotherapy session, we typically administer ketamine as an intramuscular injections. While ketamine induces a temporary altered state of consciousness, we guide our clients through the experience, providing support, insight, and guidance to facilitate healing and integration.

Preparation is a key part of the therapeutic process. In the days leading up to your session, we encourage you to:

• Get clear on your intention – Reflect on what you’re hoping to explore or gain from the experience.

• Minimize stressors – Try to keep your schedule light the day before and after your session.

• Avoid alcohol and recreational substances for at least 24 hours prior. We will advise you on how to handle prescription medications. 

• Eat lightly – We recommend fasting for 4 hours before your appointment, with no solid food and only clear fluids.

• Dress comfortably and consider bringing layers for warmth.

• Arrive with an open mind – Let go of expectations and allow the experience to unfold organically.

We also have a complete wellness guide with tips for how to prepare your body and mind for KAP sessions. All patients receive this guide before their journeys. Additionally, your therapist will review best practices for prep and answer any questions you might have.

Yes—Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) may offer relief for individuals living with chronic pain, especially when other treatments haven’t been effective. At Joy In Health, we take an integrative approach that addresses both the physical and emotional dimensions of pain.

Ketamine is a medication originally developed for anesthesia and pain management. It has since been shown to have powerful neuromodulatory and antidepressant effects, working rapidly to disrupt pain-related pathways and reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma—all of which can contribute to the experience of chronic pain.

In KAP, ketamine is administered—typically as an intramuscular injection—in a safe, supportive setting. While the medicine induces a temporary altered state of consciousness, one of our trained KAP providers remains with you throughout the session to offer guidance, emotional support, and therapeutic insight. This pairing of medicine and psychotherapy can help clients develop a new relationship to pain, shift entrenched patterns of suffering, and access deeper healing and resilience.

If you’re navigating chronic pain and are curious whether KAP may be right for you, our team at Joy In Health is here to help assess your needs and explore the best next step forward.

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) has shown great promise for individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, and trauma—especially those who haven’t found relief through traditional treatments.

Ketamine has demonstrated rapid and robust antidepressant effects, making it particularly effective for people experiencing low mood, hopelessness, or emotional numbness. It also has anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties, helping to reduce symptoms of worry, fear, and panic, while promoting a greater sense of calm and internal safety.

For trauma-related conditions such as PTSD, KAP can support emotional processing and memory reconsolidation, making it possible to revisit and release painful experiences without becoming overwhelmed. Many patients report feeling more clarity, spaciousness, and connection after a session—benefits that are further deepened through integrative psychotherapy.

While KAP is not a quick fix, it can be a powerful catalyst for healing when approached with intention, preparation, and the support of a trained therapeutic team. During your intake, we’ll work with you to determine whether KAP is the right fit for your unique needs and goals.

At Joy in Health, we offer a range of services tailored to meet your individual needs.

Below is a breakdown of our standard fees:

• 75 minute Initial Consultation with Dr. Chanoff: $600

• 3-hour Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) Session: $1,200

  • Each KAP session includes medical monitoring, therapeutic support and one hour of integration psychotherapy, with the ketamine still on board, helping you to feel open and reflective. You’ll be with our team– a KAP therapist and/or guide and Dr. Chanoff at key points in the session– throughout the entire experience.

• 50 minute appointment with Dr. Chanoff: $450

• 30 minute appointment with Dr. Chanoff: $300

• 60 minute psychotherapy session with a Joy In Health therapist: $300

We do not accept insurance directly, but we are happy to provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement. Many of our clients successfully receive partial reimbursement through their insurance plans. We're here to answer any questions and support you through that process.

If you decide to pursue reimbursement, we're here to help—whether it's walking you through the submission process or answering questions about the paperwork. Our goal is to make this part of your care as smooth and supportive as possible.

While many of our clients choose to book multiple sessions at a time, the cost per session remains the same. Our care is intentionally highly individualized — we take a customized, high-touch approach with each person, tailoring our work to meet their unique needs, goals, and preferences. This level of personalization allows us to provide thoughtful, flexible support rather than a one-size-fits-all model.

While some sessions—such as ongoing therapy or health coaching—can be held virtually, we ask that patients attend their initial intake and all Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) sessions in person at our Medford office. This in-person format allows us to create the safest, most supportive, and therapeutically effective environment, especially for KAP, which involves altered states of consciousness and requires close, real-time monitoring.

Yes, patients are never left alone during their KAP experience. From start to finish, one of our trained KAP guides remains in the room. Some sessions are led by Dr. Chanoff herself, while others are facilitated by a trained KAP therapist on our team. When a therapist facilitates the session, Dr. Chanoff is present for the dosing portion. If Dr. Chanoff is acting as the therapist, she remains present for both the dosing and the final hour of therapy.