Today we’d like to introduce you to Bre Ferrara.
Hi Bre, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I love my role as a therapist and find it deeply rewarding to connect with people. It’s an honor to accompany clients through the highs and lows of their journey.
I see clients in person at my office in Pacific Beach, on walks in public spaces by the beach/bay, and online for CA residents.
My professional specialties and certifications include Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP),
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a holistic modality in which ketamine is used as a complement to psychotherapy to help eligible patients experience more frequent breakthroughs and sustained improvement in symptoms.
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. I work with ketamine in lozenge form, so you take the medicine with me in my office orally. We spend about 3 hours together while the medicine effects, the “journey” takes 45 – 75 minutes.
I am passionate about offering ketamine assisted psychotherapy because it offers potentially life changing results. It has been an alternative to daily medications or antidepressants/anti anxiety medications that either do not work for people or have unpleasant side effects. I believe altering and expanding our mind and consciousness is a viable path toward healing ourselves and our communities.
I was brought to the world of psychedelic therapy through my own interests in psychedelic culture, art, and music. I am studying to be a psychedelic practitioner through a 13 month program lead by Synthesis Institute.
I am also a certified yoga teacher (200hr RYT) and include aspects of yoga into therapy through philosophy, breathwork, meditation, stretching, and strengthening the mind-body-spirit connection.
I am a bi-sexual queer woman and my services are queer, kink, and poly friendly. I feel fluid in my labels and started identifying as LGBTQ+ in early adulthood. I can help clients navigate their identity and relationships based on your personal values, desires, and needs. Therapy can be a designated time and space to discuss these parts of yourself judgment free.
Social justice and liberal values are a part of my approach. My career roots are in public schools & community health clinics.
I was born and raised in Connecticut, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Development & Family Studies and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Connecticut. My journey led me to San Diego in 2019, a place that quickly became home as I fell in love with the scenery, people, and life that I live here. Nature, creativity, mindfulness, exercise, relationships, and humor are all part of my healing journey.
I see myself as an artist in the way I move about the world and enjoy working with other artists and aspiring creatives. I work with musicians, painters, comedians, photographers, web designers, etc.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Using psychedelic medicine like ketamine often comes with stigma and judgement. It has been and ongoing learning experience to share about the benefits and risks of ketamine therapy in an honest way, that is informative. My client’s safety and comfort is of utmost importance to me. Talking openly about using mind altering substances can take away the stigma. I try to give my clients legal information as well. Psilocybin (magic mushrooms) are gaining popularity in pop culture but it’s important to note that in CA they are still illegal. I do not endorse the use of illegal substances, do not provide them, and do not “trip sit” for people on illegal substance. I can provide information and emotional support to people that are interested in using or have used in the past. I support people with psychedelic integration, when they want make sense of a psychedelic experience and incoorperate the experience into their everyday life.
At first it was challenging and felt daunting to enter an arena of therapy beyond talk-therapy, into the world of ketamine. As a licensed clinicical social worker, it is out of my scope of practice to prescribe medication. It has been wonderful to work in teams and consult with colleagues. The organization I partner with, Journey Clinical, handles all of the medical assessments and prescribing. They made it easy to get over that obstacle and it has taken pressure off of me to work in a team, rather than doing it all myself.
Finding an office space that felt like “home” was a challenge – I try my best to keep my services accessible and at a reasonable price (and rent prices in San Diego can be quite high!) My office that I sublease in PB is amazing and feels like the best fit. I also like going on walks with clients outdoors. Outdoor walking sessions allow some people to open up more, and feel at ease, especially if sitting still or making prolonged eye contact doesnt’ suit them.
We’ve been impressed with Journey With Bre, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Private Practice Therapy for CA residents online, and in-person in San Diego. Options for talk therapy, Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, walking sessions, and virtual sessions.
Blends a model of traditional talk therapy with mindfulness, yoga, expressive arts, and somatic work.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Journey Clinical, an org I partner with to provide Ketamine in my therapy practice. https://www.journeyclinical.com/
ViaSana Co who helped build my website
Pricing:
- $150 for 50 minute therapy session
- $450 for 3 hour ketamine dosing experience
Contact Info:
- Website: JourneyWithBre.Com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/breanne-ferrara-lcsw-5045b679/
