Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)
Why Add Psychotherapy to Ketamine Treatment?
Ketamine increases neuroplasticity and can reduce emotional and cognitive rigidity. During this window, psychotherapy helps patients:
- Clarify intentions and emotional themes
- Integrate insights into daily life and relationships
- Make sense of ketamine experiences
- Turn powerful moments into sustainable change
Rather than insights fading after treatment, KAP helps them take root.
The Role of KAP-Certified Psychologists
- Psychologically safe
- Ethically guided
- Therapeutically grounded
- Integrated with intention and care
Patients receive support not only medically but also emotionally, relationally, and psychologically.
MEET OUR TEAM
Dr. Timothy Yen, PsyD (Clinical Lead)
Timothy Yen, Psy.D. is an Asian-American male, credentialed by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists (#55036), and a licensed psychologist (CA PSY 27745) living and working in the East Bay (San Francisco Bay Area) since 2014.
He completed his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Azusa Pacific University with an emphasis in Family Psychology and Consultation. Timothy is also the CEO of Pivot (www.pivot-co.com) consulting firm and the author of the best-selling book “Choose Better: The Optimal Decision-Making Framework.”
He is the founder of a group practice called Pivot Counseling which partnered with the Eastside Christian Counseling Center in Dublin, CA. His previous work experience includes working at Kaiser Permanente for the past 6.5 years and supervising postdoctoral residents and psychological associates since 2016. Before college, he enlisted in the United States Army as a mental health specialist for over 8 years. Things that make him happy are supportive people, superheroes (Marvel & DC comics), nature, aquariums, and volleyball!
Dr. Selina Johnson, EdD
Selina Johnson, EdD (PSB 94026317) is a registered psychological associate with the California Board of Psychology under direct supervision of Dr. Timothy Yen (PSY 27745). She completed her Doctorate of Education Counseling Psychology at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.
Her experience in graduate school included practicum hours at an elementary, middle, and high school providing special education services such as testing for learning disabilities and counseling services in Stockton and Castro Valley, California.
Her experience in clinical training allowed her to provide counseling services to adults and children through the school and clinical settings.
Dr. Virginia Arlene Suarez, PsyD
Virginia Arlene Suarez, PsyD (CA PSY 36350) is a licensed clinical psychologist through the Board of Psychology.
Arlene holds a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from the PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium. She completed her predoctoral internship at the APA-accredited Kaiser Permanente East Bay Medical Center Program as an Adult Generalist and Assessment Track in Oakland and completed her post-doctoral internship with Pivot Counseling.
Her experience in clinical training allowed her to provide counseling services to adults and children through the school and clinical settings.
Arlene has worked in a variety of clinical settings including community mental health clinics, Veteran Affairs facilities, hospitals, and residential settings. There she has worked with a diverse population of children, families, couples, and adults of varying ages across the lifespan.
Some of her experience includes providing thorough risk assessments, brief and focused treatment, longer-term treatment, trauma treatment, neuropsychological assessments in adults, utilizing the appropriate evidence-based treatment modalities, providing patient-centered care, and providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive care.
From Relief to Transformation
Ketamine can help patients access life-giving truths that are often difficult to reach through talk therapy alone. With skilled therapeutic guidance, these insights are experienced not just intellectually, but in a deeply felt, embodied way—creating change that lasts beyond the treatment room.
A Collaborative, Whole-Person Approach
Prime Youth Aesthetics provides expert IV ketamine care.
Pivot Counseling provides the psychological integration.
Together, this partnership offers a comprehensive, patient-centered path to healing. Located for telehealth and in-person services in our offices in Walnut Creek and Pleasanton as well as in-person at Prime Youth Aesthetics.
Learn more about Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy through Pivot Counseling: 👉 https://pivot-co.com/ketamine-assisted-psychotherapy/
Contact Us Today
Reach out to us if you want to know more, have any questions, concerns, or to schedule a consultation or service— we're here to assist you on your journey to renewed beauty!
