Jennifer Walker, LMFT

Jennifer Walker is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Tustin, Orange County, whose practice, Kindred Chrysalis Therapy, specialises in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and sex therapy. Her website now gives her name as Jennifer Rodriguez LeBar, LMFT, CST.

Approach

Her therapy is trauma-informed and combines attachment theory and depth work with parts work and ecopsychology, with a sex-positive and body-positive stance that affirms each client’s identity. She holds an MA in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University and psychedelic training from PRATI, Fluence and Mary Cosimano’s psilocybin guiding workshop. In ketamine sessions she sits beside the client throughout and gives non-directive support.

Who it is for

She sees young adults and adults, alone or as couples, for depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, relationship difficulties and sexual concerns such as differences in desire, arousal, pain or kink. Much of her work is with LGBTQIA+ clients and people in open or polyamorous relationships.

Practical details

Individual sessions cost $180 and couples sessions $200 per 50 minutes. For ketamine work, preparation and integration sessions cost $175 and a medicine session of two to three hours $300 to $450. Insurance does not cover medicine sessions, but superbills are available. She works in person in Tustin or by telehealth across California, and a free 15-minute call comes first.

Care and safety

Clients meet her at least four times before a first ketamine session, then see a prescriber from her network for screening and a prescription for lozenges or nasal spray. A series usually has six to eight sessions, with integration 24 to 48 hours after each. Clients fast for four to six hours beforehand and need a lift home. Psychosis, mania, active substance use, regular benzodiazepine use, pregnancy and uncontrolled heart or blood pressure problems may rule ketamine out. She notes that off-label ketamine for mental health is legal in California.