Frequently Asked Questions

Who is HS Psychiatry PLLC?

Dr. Herrmann and Dr. Slabaugh are a married couple who are both board-certified psychiatrists that provide specialized psychiatric consultations to individuals interested in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, psychedelic integration therapy, and holistic family-based treatment planning. 

We are located in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts

What services do you offer?

We do not offer general, ongoing psychiatric prescribing through this practice. 

What is your treatment approach?

We apply Osteopathic and Holotropic principles to our work. Our values are grounded in patient-centered care, supporting the innate healing mechanisms of the body, transparency, patience, and acceptance. Our hope for our clients is that they can find a space of inner exploration so that they can find out for themselves what the truth of their healing is. Our intention is to support them before, during and after the treatment. 

What is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)?

Ketamine is an anesthetic that can act as an "off-label" antidepressant. It has been safely used for over fifty years in emergency medicine and anesthesia. Recent research has shown that lower dosing can result in a rapid antidepressant effect and a rapid reduction in suicidal ideation. It is also a tool that allows people to experience a non-ordinary state of consciousness. This non-ordinary state of consciousness can allow us to experience ourselves in a new way that can catalyze inner change. It is the only psychedelic medicine currently available for clinical use outside of research trials. 

KAP is utilizing ketamine in conjunction with specialized client-focused psychotherapy to engender positive change, increased wellbeing, and symptom reduction. 

Is KAP right for me?

KAP may be a good choice for your treatment plan if you have a indicated psychiatric diagnosis and are in ongoing therapy. Commonly treated conditions include treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. We offer a specialized treatment plan that includes a series of treatments spread out over time, customized to your diagnosis, symptoms and treatment trajectory. Ketamine used in this way is considered "off-label". 

KAP is best tolerated by people who are well supported and have the space for a potential worsening of symptoms before improvement. KAP can be rapid-acting in its antidepressant relief and it is often a catalyst that can deepen an ongoing therapeutic process. Someone who is a good candidate for this treatment is seeking to heal through cultivating insight, compassion and awareness. KAP will not globally improve all psychiatric symptoms and syndromes. 

What else should I know?

We do not recommend KAP for everyone. We do our best to inform a client during an initial phone call whether we feel they are a good candidate. This is not always apparent and will be evaluated for during the initial intake.


HS Psychiatry PLLC is not a participating Medicare or MassHealth provider and does not treat Medicare or MassHealth beneficiaries. 

What is the cost?

$525 for a 110-minute intake


$250 for a 50-minute individual appointment. 


$400 for a 70-minute family session. 


$780 for 3-hour ketamine treatment session. 


The number of ketamine treatment sessions recommended is dependent upon diagnosis and treatment goals. We will discuss this with you at your intake appointment. 


We offer a sliding scale on a case-by-case basis dependent on availability. If interested, please ask for more information. 

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost.

Under the law, health care 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 health care 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.