We offer
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in Los Angeles
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy - KAP - combines the neurological effects of ketamine with the depth of skilled psychotherapy to create a therapeutic experience that can achieve in weeks what traditional therapy sometimes takes years to approach.
NEST is one of a small number of Los Angeles practices offering KAP with trained psychotherapists - not just a ketamine infusion clinic, but a full therapeutic experience before, during, and after the medicine session.
What Is KAP?
KAP is a legal, evidence-supported treatment that uses ketamine - currently the only legal psychedelic medicine in the United States - in conjunction with psychotherapy. Unlike standalone ketamine infusions, KAP involves:
Preparation sessions: building therapeutic relationship, setting intentions, and reducing risk
The medicine session: a guided experience with your therapist present throughout
Integration sessions: making meaning of the experience and applying insights to daily life
The result is not just symptom relief but the kind of deeper, more durable change that comes from processing the underlying material the medicine surfaces.
What KAP Can Help With
Treatment-resistant depression
PTSD and complex trauma
Anxiety disorders
Substance use and addiction
Existential distress
Grief and loss
Burnout and emotional exhaustion
Eating disorders
Explore our posts on KAP
How KAP Works at NEST
NEST's KAP program is led by three experienced clinicians - Setareh Vatan, Erica Siegal, and Lindsay Hordes - each trained in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and bringing distinct depth to this work.
NEST partners with trusted medical prescribers who manage the medical side of ketamine - including assessment, prescription, and monitoring. Your therapist manages the psychotherapeutic process.
Step 1: Assessment & Preparation
Before any medicine session, you and your therapist will meet for preparation sessions. This is where we build trust, explore your intentions, review safety, and design the container for your experience.
Step 2: The Medicine Session
Ketamine sessions are conducted in a safe, carefully prepared environment with your therapist present. Sessions are typically 2–3 hours. You may use an eye mask and music to deepen your inner focus.
Step 3: Integration
Integration is where the real therapeutic work happens. In the days and weeks following a medicine session, you and your therapist meet to process what arose, make meaning, and apply the insights to your life.
KAP vs. Ketamine Infusions:
What's the Difference?
Some ketamine infusion clinics offer the medicine without the psychotherapy. This can provide temporary relief - particularly for acute depression - but without integration support, insights and relief often fade.
KAP combines the medicine with the therapeutic relationship and integration process that creates lasting change.
Is KAP Right for You?
KAP may be a good fit if you have tried conventional therapy or medication without sufficient results, are curious about psychedelic approaches and want to explore them safely with a licensed clinician, or are ready for a deeper, more intensive therapeutic process.
KAP is not appropriate for everyone. Your prescriber and therapist will conduct a thorough assessment before beginning.KAP may be a good fit if you have tried conventional therapy or medication without sufficient results, are curious about psychedelic approaches and want to explore them safely with a licensed clinician, or are ready for a deeper, more intensive therapeutic process.
KAP is not appropriate for everyone. Your prescriber and therapist will conduct a thorough assessment before beginning.
Insurance & Fees
Fees vary by clinician.
Please note: insurance does not currently cover the ketamine medicine component. The psychotherapy sessions may be covered depending on your plan.
Our KAP Clinicians
Erica Siegal, MSW, LCSW
Erica was among the first therapists in California to train in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Colleagues describe her as on the forefront of this field. She brings particular expertise in trauma, substance use, and harm reduction to her KAP practice.
Setareh Vatan, LMFT, LPCC, PhD Candidate
Setareh has been working at the intersection of psychedelic medicine and depth psychotherapy since the early accessible stages of this field. She brings Jungian, psychodynamic, and IFS frameworks to her KAP work, supporting clients in making deep unconscious material conscious.
Lindsay Hordes, AMFT
Lindsay specialises in KAP alongside trauma, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. She brings a warm, openhearted presence and a deep understanding of psychedelic healing and the mind-body connection to her work with adolescents, adults, families, and couples.
Are you interested in joining our team?
Contact info@therapyatnest.com
Ready to Begin?
Take the first step toward the life you deserve.
The first step is a free 15-minute consultation to answer your questions and determine whether KAP is a good fit. No commitment required.