Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy is a deep psychotherapeutic process that can produce rapid improvement for a number of conditions, including depression, anxiety, suicidality, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), complex trauma and more.
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy is compatible with most other psychiatric medicines, and it can create powerful, sustained healing when all other traditional interventions fail.
Unlike the medical model, sessions are conducted with the support of a therapist. Sessions that include medicine last 2-3 hours, and the experience is focused on therapy.
Most Ketamine providers work within a medical model. Clients come into a clinic for 6-8 sessions run primarily by nurses or doctors. Without a therapist to process or integrate with, clients are left alone and unsupported with the deep emotional experiences that present with this medicine. The healing is exponentially amplified and sustained in the context of a therapeutic relationship both before, during and after sessions.
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy works with your mind and spirit to activate your internal healing capabilities, and deepen your access to your own heart. The medicine acts as a powerful disruption in painful patterns. People anchor in new internal self knowledge that supports health and happiness. KAP allows you to tap into your true strengths in profound ways that exponentially accelerate the journey into healing.
Within KAP, the frequency of sessions varies based on client needs. The medicine works cumulatively so we recommend a commitment of at least 6 treatment sessions. The length of treatment will vary based on the issues presenting, as well as your goals, typically between 3-6 months.
KAP troche or lozenge sessions are typically 2-3 hours long. KAP sessions for IV Ketamine are typically 2 hours long, and are scheduled immediately after (within 15 - 30 minutes) after your IV session with your Ketamine provider. You will need a ride to our session following IV Ketamine (via Uber or a family member). I am also available to sit with you in your IV Ketamine session. Please contact me for Ketamine troche prescriptions and/or IV Ketamine referrals if you are in the Kansas City area.
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Ketamine is a prescription anesthetic traditionally used for surgical procedures. Over the last 10 years, a compelling amount of evidence continues to grow and suggests that in sub-anesthetic (low) doses, ketamine can restore the damaged brain pathways known to cause mood disorders. Ketamine has emerged as a promising off-label treatment option for many chronic diseases, such as treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, migraine headaches, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), fibromyalgia, and certain pain disorders.
It is believed that ketamine targets NMDA receptors in the brain, leading to the release of other molecules that cause new connections to form between brain cells that are involved in thought patterns, mood and cognition, leading to the patient feeling better. For some patients, this ketamine application helps relieve symptoms of depression much more quickly and effectively than other depression treatment strategies.
When administered and used in a conscious and controlled environment, studies show that ketamine does not exhibit addictive potential and may be administered on a consistent basis to sustain mental health.
KAP as a catalyst for long term therapy.
For current or prospective clients looking to establish a longer term relationship with a therapist (typically a minimum of 6 months), I am able to integrate KAP into our work as a catalyst for therapeutic growth and change. This gives us a chance to develop rapport and trust, and to develop a shared thematic vision of your life. Integrating KAP within these longer term therapeutic relationships allows a level of trust, letting go, and therapeutic nuance that is quite profound.
This option is good for chronic depression, complex-PTSD, deeper relational and attachment work. This option blends in really well with my 1:1 Intensive Healing Journey, Soul Dive, for even deeper healing and integration.
KAP therapeutic intensive.
This format is a way to do in depth therapeutic work in a significantly shorter timespan than long term therapy. Typically, what we are able to work through in this form of KAP is equivalent to 1-2 years of weekly psychotherapy. The basic format looks like this:
Total length of treatment: 2-4 months
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4 Initial sessions (intake session, preparation/intention setting session)
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6 KAP sessions (typically scheduled every 2 weeks)
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6 Integration sessions (typically scheduled every 2 weeks; in between KAP sessions)
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Ketamine booster sessions and integration sessions scheduled as needed post-initial round of treatment.
This option is good for deep dive trauma work, resolving existential distress, trauma-related chronic pain, attachment issues/relational trauma, and spiritual/religious/metaphysical work. This option is available through the KAP & Integration Package.
We can always customize a treatment plan and schedule that works best for you. Some prefer to do this within a 6-8 week period, as research suggests that completing 3-4 KAP sessions within that timeframe can yield longer lasting results.
I offer in person KAP in Kansas and online KAP in Colorado via Journey Clinical.
Click below to schedule a FREE clarity call to discuss options and if Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a good fit for you! And please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
Ketamine Research & Articles:
https://maps.org/news/media/wired-ketamine-stirs-up-hope-and-controversy-as-a-depression-drug/
https://goop.com/wellness/health/ketamine-facilitated-psychotherapy/
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-26647738
https://www.vox.com/first-person/2018/7/24/17603616/depression-treatment-severe-ketamine-special-k
https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/26/health/ketamine-alcohol-use-study/index.html
