Practice Policies

APPOINTMENTS & CANCELLATIONS
‍Please provide at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice will be charged the full session fee, as your appointment time is reserved exclusively for you.

If you arrive late, your session will still end at the scheduled time, and you will be charged for the full visit.

‍SESSION LENGTH & FEES
‍Session type, length and cost may vary depending on the provider and service. Below is a general fee schedule:

• 30-minute medication management visit: $175
• 50-minute psychiatric session: $300–$400
• Ketamine assisted psychotherapy medical evaluation: $250
• Ketamine assisted psychotherapy​ therapeutic evaluation: $175​​​
• Ketamine assisted psychotherapy session: $700
• Ketamine assisted psychotherapy integration: $200

Requests to adjust session length must be discussed with your provider in advance to ensure proper scheduling.

‍Please note: Any documentation requested from providers (e.g., disability letters, treatment summaries, or forms) will be billed at the provider’s standard hourly rate and prorated based on the time spent completing the request.‍

‍PAYMENT & INSURANCE
‍We are a private pay practice and do not accept insurance, including Medicare, Medicaid, AHCCCS, or other government insurance programs. All services are fee-for-service, and payment is due at the time of service via cash or credit card.

We do not offer claim filing, prior authorization, or certification services. However, asuperbill(itemized receipt) can be provided upon request if you wish to submit a claim to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Submission of a superbill does not guarantee reimbursement, and we are not responsible for claim denials or insurance disputes. It is the patient’s responsibility to contact their insurance carrier for details regarding coverage.

‍PRESCRIPTION REFILLS‍

• Please allow 24 hours for standard prescription refills.
• For scheduled (“controlled”) medications, allow 48–72 hours for processing.
• Refills are not processed after hours or on weekends.

‍GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE
‍You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining how much your medical and mental healthcare will cost. Under the law, healthcare providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your healthcare provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises‍

‍TELEPHONE ACCESSIBILITY
‍If you need to contact your provider between sessions, please leave a message on the Trauma Healing Journeys voice mail. We are often not immediately available; however, we will attempt to return your call within 24 hours. We do not provide emergency psychiatric services. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact your local crisis line, 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.

‍SOCIAL MEDIA AND TELECOMMUNICATION
‍Due to the importance of your confidentiality and the importance of minimizing dual relationships, we do not accept friend or contact requests from current or former clients on any social networking site (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc). We believe that adding clients as friends or contacts on these sites can compromise your confidentiality and respective privacy. It may also blur the boundaries of our therapeutic relationship. If you have questions about this, please bring them up during your session so they can be addressed.

‍ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
‍We cannot ensure the confidentiality of any form of communication through electronic media, including text messages. If you prefer to communicate via email or text messaging for issues regarding scheduling or cancellations, we will do so. While we may try to return messages in a timely manner, we cannot guarantee immediate response and request that you do not use these methods of communication to discuss therapeutic content and/or request assistance for emergencies.

‍TERMINATION
‍Ending relationships can be difficult. Therefore, it is important to have a termination process in order to achieve some closure. The appropriate length of psychiatric treatment depends on the nature of your condition, response to treatment, and your ongoing needs. Treatment may be terminated after appropriate discussion if it is determined that psychiatric services are no longer clinically appropriate, effective, or if there is non-compliance with treatment recommendations or payment obligations. We will not end the treatment relationship without first discussing the reasons for termination and, when appropriate, offering a transition plan.If psychiatric care is terminated for any reason—or if you request a different provider—we will offer referrals to other qualified psychiatric professionals or clinics. You may also seek care from a provider of your choosing.

‍COVID-19 CONSENT TO TREAT
‍I understand that COVID-19 is highly contagious and may be transmitted by asymptomatic individuals. I acknowledge that receiving in-person services may increase the risk of exposure.

I understand I have the option to receive telepsychiatry instead. I knowingly and willingly choose to proceed with in-person sessions and assume the associated risks.

Trauma Healing Journeys LLC has implemented preventive measures in line with public health guidelines to reduce transmission risk. However, complete protection cannot be guaranteed.

I confirm that I am not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, loss of taste or smell). I also understand that recent travel increases my exposure risk. If anything changes, I will notify the office as soon as possible.

By receiving in-person care, I accept the inherent risks associated with potential exposure and agree to proceed voluntarily.

‍HIPAA PRIVACY REMINDER
‍We are committed to protecting your personal health information in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). All communications, records, and services provided are handled in accordance with federal privacy and security regulations.

You will receive a separate Notice of Privacy Practices, which outlines how your protected health information (PHI) may be used and disclosed, and how you can access this information. If you have any questions or concerns about your privacy rights, please do not hesitate to ask your provider or contact our designated privacy officer.

KETAMINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY
‍Ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is a relatively new and innovative psychiatric/psychological treatment approach, involving the combination of ketamine administration in a safe and supportive “set and setting,” inner-directed and supportive psychotherapy, and ongoing integration. The exact nature of the treatment process varies depending on the particular problems being treated and the specific individual’s needs and goals; we firmly believe in finding the most optimal way to support an individual’s growth, healing, and personal evolution.

Initial sessions will involve an evaluation of a patient’s: current problems, concerns, and needs; prior history and review of current or ongoing treatment; overall health/medical condition; and an assessment of the potential suitability and viability of this type of treatment for that patient. By the end of the evaluation period, we will offer our clinical impressions and a recommended approach to treatment. The goals of therapy are always arrived at by mutual collaboration. These goals will be reviewed during the course of the treatment in order to assess and/or modify them according to changing needs, perspectives, and progress. Participation in this treatment may result in a number of benefits but there is no guarantee that this will occur.

During this assessment phase, it is important that we carefully consider whether or not we are the best provider of ketamine related services, and if Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy is the best approach for an individual’s specific situation. If indicated, a referral to a more appropriate provider will be recommended.

When appropriate, and according to our counselors’ clinical judgment, Somatic Experiencing (SE) could be used during KAP sessions. SE is a short-term naturalistic approach to the resolution and healing of trauma developed by Dr. Peter Levine and is supported by research. It is based upon the observation that wild prey animals, though threatened routinely, are rarely traumatized. Animals in the wild utilize innate mechanisms to regulate and discharge the high levels of energy arousal associated with defensive survival behaviors. These mechanisms provide animals with built-in "immunity" to trauma that enables them to return to normal in the aftermath of highly "charged" life-threatening experiences.

SE employs awareness of body sensation to help people "renegotiate" and heal rather than re-live or re-enact trauma. SE's guidance of the bodily "felt sense", allows the highly aroused survival energies to be safely experienced and gradually discharged through guided movement and touch. SE "titrates" experience (breaks down into small, incremental steps), rather than evoking catharsis-which can overwhelm the regulatory mechanisms of the organism. Any touch during the session, will be made in collaboration and consent. It will always be appropriate and intentional and administered by a trained professional.SE can result in a number of benefits to you, such as relief of traumatic stress symptoms, increased resiliency, and resourcefulness. Like any other treatment it may also have unintended negative "side effects." It is important that you are aware that there are other forms of body-oriented and somatic psychotherapy. The United States Association of Body Psychotherapy (www.usabp.org) is a good source of information about other modalities. Obviously, there are also many non-somatic focused forms of psychotherapy and counseling that you can also choose.

For more information about SE please note the following references:
Levine, P. and Frederick, A. (1997). Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma: The Innate Capacity to Transform Overwhelming Experiences. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.Kline, M. and Levine, P. (2007). Trauma Through A Child's Eyes: Awakening the Ordinary Miracle of Healing. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.

For further references and information online about SE go to:
http://www.traumahealing.com

Please note that that consent is an alive process, it is your responsibility to inform your clinician when you are uncomfortable with any parts of treatment. If you have any questions about SE or other treatments, please ask and we will do our best to answer your questions in full. Please recognize that SE touch doesn’t always involve physical touch and will involve tracking attention, intention, and various kinds of activation around SE touch. You have the right to refuse or terminate this portion of treatment at all times, or to refuse techniques or interventions your clinician may propose or employ.As with all medical and psychiatric care, including psychotherapy, there are both risks and benefits to pursuing treatment. Psychiatric care and psychotherapy are not exact sciences. There are no guarantees made as to the result of such examinations, treatments, and/or diagnostic procedures. The use of ketamine in combination with psychotherapy, i.e. KAP, constitutes an off-label treatment for depression, and it is important that the patient understand that KAP may not be effective in treating their depression. This treatment also may not be reimbursed by health insurance due to its status as a new treatment for depression.

When receiving treatment patients may sometimes find they feel worse before feeling better. KAP is a non-linear treatment process and individual responses vary widely. If any questions or concerns about our work together arise at any point during treatment, please bring them to our attention.

MONITORING
‍Although this is a very safe medicine, it is essential that you be followed very closely during and after your treatment. This may include blood pressure and psychological measures before and/or after each session. You have the option to follow up and be supported by us by telephone, email, and/or in-person contact.

How long will it take before I might see beneficial effects?

You may experience important positive changes in personality, mood and cognition during treatment, in the immediate aftermath, and in the days and weeks that follow. The results may vary between patients and there is NO GUARANTEE OF AN EXACT RESPONSE. Please note, some experiences may be temporarily difficult or disturbing to you. The ketamine experience itself is designed to enable your own healing wisdom to be accessed and to become beneficial to you. The support you will receive will aid you in making your experience(s) valuable, meaningful, and understandable to you. The goal of ketamine assisted psychotherapy is to assist you in changing patterns of mind, feelings, and behavior that are of concern and cause you difficulty.

ELIGIBILITY FOR KETAMINE THERAPY
‍Before participating in ketamine treatment, you will be carefully interviewed to determine if you are eligible. This will include a medical history, a physical exam if deemed necessary, review of medical/psychiatric records, and possibly administration of psychological tests to assess your state of mind.Pregnant women and nursing mothers are not eligible. The effects of ketamine on pregnancy and the fetus have not been studied.

Untreated hypertension is a contra-indication to ketamine use as the substance can cause a rise in blood pressure. Similarly, a history or stroke or heart disease may make you ineligible to participate.

Information on the interactions of ketamine with other medicines is only partially available and it will be assessed to help determine your eligibility for treatment.

Ketamine should not be taken if you have untreated hyperthyroidism. There have also been reports of some decrease in immune function in patients receiving surgical doses of ketamine.

Ketamine has an extensive record of safety and has been used at much higher doses for surgical anesthesia without respiratory depression than will be used in ketamine assisted psychotherapy.

POTENTIAL RISKS OF KETAMINE THERAPY
‍You will be asked to lie still during the ketamine administration because ketamine will temporarily affect your sense of balance and coordination. This effect will generally wear off 2-4 hours after the injection has been administered or lozenges have been taken. It is possible that you may fall asleep. Other possibilities for adverse effects include blurred vision, uncomfortable vision, double vision, rapid eye movements, elevation of intraocular pressure (feeling of pressure in the eyes). You are advised to keep your eyes closed until the main effects have worn off. Other side effects may include slurred speech, anorexia, mental confusion, excitability, anxiety, diminished ability to hear or feel objects accurately including one’s own body, nausea, vomiting, and aspiration. Visual, tactile, and auditory procession are affected by the drug. Music that is usually familiar may not seem to be during the experience. Synesthesia, a mingling of the senses, may occur. The ordinary sense of time may morph into time dilation or other experiences of temporal alterations.

Because of the risk of nausea and vomiting please refrain from eating and drinking at least 4 hours before a session. Eat lightly even before this 4-hour window. Make sure you are properly hydrated before this 4-hour window begins. Please use the bathroom before every session.

If you are unduly nauseated, you may be offered an anti-nausea medication, ondansetron, in pill or oral dissolving tablet forms.

Ketamine generally causes a significant transient increase in blood pressure but usually not the pulse rate. If your blood pressure monitoring reveals that your blood pressure is too high, you may be asked to delay your session.

Agitation may occur during the course of a session. If your agitation is severe, you may be offered lorazepam or midazolam orally or by injection to help you relax.

Driving an automobile or engaging in hazardous activities should not be undertaken after ketamine treatment.

Regular ketamine consumption has been shown to increase the risk of cystitis symptoms by 3- to 4-fold, and cessation of ketamine use is usually associated with improvement of symptoms. Common KIC-related problems are urinary pain and discomfort, bladder epithelial barrier damage, reduced bladder storage and increased pressure, ureter stenosis, and in rare cases, kidney failure.

In terms of psychological risk, ketamine has been shown to worsen certain psychotic symptoms in people who suffer from schizophrenia or other serious mental disorders. It may also worsen underlying problems in people with severe personality disorders. We recommend those patients with these disorders or any history of psychosis to refrain from ketamine therapy.

Ketamine can bring up traumatic memories, may cause you to re-experience past traumas or cause you to look at parts of yourself that may be uncomfortable. During the experience itself, some people have reported frightening and unusual experiences. These frightening experiences, however, may be of paramount value to your transition to recovery from the suffering that brought you to ketamine therapy in the first place. The challenging experiences will stop usually after a brief period of time and you will also receive support and guidance from your providers.

POTENTIAL FOR KETAMINE ABUSE AND PHYSICAL DEPENDENCE
‍Ketamine belongs to the same group of chemicals as phencyclidine (PCP or angel dust). This group of chemical compounds is known Arylcyclohexylamines and are classified as hallucinogens. Ketamine is a controlled substance and is subject to Schedule III rules under the Controlled Substance Act of 1970. Medical evidence regarding the issue of drug abuse and dependence suggests that ketamine’s abuse potential is equivalent to that of phencyclidine and other hallucinogenic substances. Ketamine and other hallucinogenic compounds do not meet criteria for chemical dependence since they do not cause tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. However, “cravings” have been reported by individuals with the history of heavy use. In addition, ketamine can have effects on mood (feelings), cognition (thinking) and perception (imagery) that may make some people want to use it repeatedly. Therefore, ketamine should never be used except under the direct supervision of a licensed physician. Repeated, high dose, chronic use of ketamine has caused urinary tract symptoms and even permanent bladder dysfunction in individuals abusing the drug. Generally, this does not occur in the low dose, infrequent use parameters we use in the office setting.

ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES AND POSSIBILITIES
‍Major Depression, PTSD and Bipolar Disorders may be treated with anti-depressant medications, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers and psychotherapy. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), and the recently introduced Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) are also in use for treatment resistant depression. Ketamine has also been used in the treatment of addictions and alcoholism as part of a comprehensive treatment program.

‍VOLUNTARY NATURE OF PARTICIPATION
‍Please be aware that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet established the appropriateness of ketamine therapy and its use is considered off-label. Although medical studies have shown benefit in depression and in other areas, the only official indication for use of ketamine is anesthesia. Your awareness of this situation is key to understanding any liability associated with your use of ketamine. Your informed consent indicates you are aware of this situation.

Ketamine and ketamine assisted psychotherapy are new treatment modalities. The primary studies have been with depression, bipolar disorders, alcoholism, and heroin addiction. Ketamine infusion and ketamine assisted psychotherapy are not yet mainstream treatments, although there are now many studies that demonstrate that it may be an effective treatment. There is an expanding array of ketamine clinics across the country and worldwide primarily administrating ketamine without a counseling component. The beneficial therapeutic effect of ketamine treatments generally occur with more than one treatment and is more robust when part of an overall treatment program. These interventions may not permanently relieve depression. If your depressive symptoms respond to ketamine therapy, you may still elect to be treated with medications and ongoing psychotherapy to try to reduce the possibility of relapse. Over time, you may also need additional ketamine treatments and/or other therapies to maintain your remission.

Your decision to undertake ketamine therapy is completely voluntary. Before you make your decision about participating in ketamine therapy, you may ask and will be encouraged to ask, any questions you might have about the process. Your signature of the consent to treatment indicates that you have understood the benefits and risks of this treatment.

‍TERMINATION OF TREATMENT
‍You have the right to end treatment at any time without any moral, legal or financial obligation other than those already accrued. And if you wish, we will provide you with referrals to other qualified professionals.We, too, reserve the right to terminate treatment at our discretion. Reasons for termination include, but are not limited to, untimely payment of fees, failure to comply with treatment recommendations, conflicts of interest, failure to participate in treatment, client needs are outside of our scope of competence or practice, or lack of adequate progress in treatment.

‍CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH
‍Testing data may be used in research to determine the efficacy of KAP treatment. We will make every effort to use only the most essential demographic information for this purpose. No identifying information will be used. By signing this document, you are agreeing that your testing results and basic demographic data can be used for research.

‍PSYCHOTHERAPY CONSULTATION, RECORDS KEEPING, AND RECORDING OF SESSIONS
‍Professional consultation is an important component of medical and psychotherapy practice. In order to provide the best possible treatment for you we regularly participate in clinical, ethical, and legal consultation and training with appropriate professionals. During such consultations we might talk about the content of our work together, but we will not reveal any personally identifying client information without an individual’s written permission. We as well collect data measures to track your progress in therapy and we might use this data anonymously in research data collection for efficacy of KAP.

The laws and standards of our profession require that we keep treatment records. These may include information about a patient’s diagnosis, therapy goals, progress in treatment, documentation of mandated disclosures, and other information. All patients have a right to view their records or receive a treatment summary, unless doing so would be likely to cause substantial harm, endanger a patient’s life or physical safety, or pose a significant risk of harm to another individual.

‍CONTACTING THE CENTER
‍Although we might not be always available immediately by phone, you can leave us a voicemail anytime at (602) 550-0175. We check voicemail on a regular basis. We will make every effort to return your call on the same day, or by the next business day at the very latest, with the exception of weekends, holidays, and periods that we have pre-arranged to be unavailable. If you have an emergency, call the Arizona Crisis Hotline 1-844-534-HOPE (4673), dial 911, or proceed to your nearest emergency room.

INFORMED CONSENT
‍By signing this form, I agree that:

1.  I have fully read this informed consent form describing ketamine therapy and agree to its terms holding harmless the practitioner(s) involved in my care. I am waiving, releasing, and discharging all claims, rights and/or causes of action which may arise out of or in connection with my participation in ketamine assisted therapy. No oral or written statements, representations, or inducements have been made to cause me to enter into this agreement.

2.  I have had the opportunity to raise questions and have received satisfactory answers concerning ketamine therapy in all regards.

3.  I fully understand that the ketamine session(s) can result in profound change in mental state but that this is not guaranteed. I also fully understand that ketamine may result in unusual or difficult psychological and physiological effects.

4.  I give my consent to the use of lorazepam or midazolam if deemed necessary for agitation, to ondansetron for nausea, and clonidine for high blood pressure.

5.  I have been given a signed copy of this Informed Consent form, which is mine to keep.

6.  I understand the risks and benefits. I freely give my consent to participate in ketamine assisted therapy as outlined in this form and under the conditions indicated in it.

7.  I understand that I may withdraw from ketamine therapy at any time up until the actual injection or lozenge has been given.

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Mobile:‍

No Mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP. Message and data rates may apply.

Terms of Service:

You agree to receive Conversational / Customer care messages from Trauma Healing Journeys. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. For help, reply HELP or email us at info@traumahealingjourneys.com. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP.

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FAQ's

Curiosity encouraged.

‍In time, we will work through many questions. But first, let’s start with these. Please don't hesitate to contact us if there’s something you’d like to know beyond what’s covered on this list.

Do you take insurance?
No, because Ketamine is considered an off-label treatment and therefore not recognized by insurance companies.

What are your rates?
Rates are based on individual or group.
2 hour individual sessions = $700
4 hour group sessions=

What's your Cancellation/Missed Appointment Policy?
We require 2-day-notice for all cancellations. If you fail to cancel within that time frame you will be charged your full session fee.

What are the confidentiality standards you are required to meet?
Everything we discuss will be kept strictly confidential. Detailed Confidentiality Policy information can be found here.

Are you available outside of business hours?
We understand that crises happen. You can contact us at any time, and we will do our best to respond within 24 hours. If this is a counseling emergency, help is available right now.
Emergency: 911
Maricopa County Crisis Response Network: 602-222-9444
Empact Crisis: 480-784-1500

Do you work with children or families?
We only work with individuals 18 and older.

How do I book an appointment?
It’s easy. You can book by calling us at 602.818.4112 or by email at info@traumahealingjourneys.com

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Careers

At Trauma Healing Journeys, we foster a learning culture that prioritizes our clients’ well-being and interests, while giving our team members everything they need to do truly great work. We are always open to meeting new therapists who are highly passionate about helping to truly change lives.How to ApplyIf you are interested in joining our growing team, please email your resume and cover letter to careers@thetraumahealingcenter.com