KETAMINE THERAPY

Ketamine is traditionally a medication that is used as an anesthetic. With recent research, it has been found that Ketamine remarkably promotes neural plasticity in the brain and lessens depression and anxiety symptoms. Neuroplasticity is the ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth and reorganization.

Ketamine is available in tablets, via IV, and now as a nasal spray called Spravato. At this time, it appears Spravato is the only approved version of Ketamine to be covered by insurance. The other forms of Ketamine may be used by paying out of pocket with a medical professional. Ketamine is only available to those over 18 at this time.

Ketamine treatment may be done in a medical professional’s office, therapist’s office, or your own home depending on the rendering provider and if you prefer guided or unguided treatment.

ketamine

ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

KAP involves several steps for treatment and includes guided ketamine journeys with a licensed therapist. Initially, a medical evaluation with a licensed prescriber will be needed to assess appropriateness for the use of Ketamine and your specific body. With approval and appropriate dosage of Ketamine from a medical doctor, you’ll be able to meet with a KAP trained therapist who will guide you through your journeys and support deep exploration of your experiences. After your KAP journeys, your therapist will work with you to integrate your experiences. With KAP, your therapist works with you for a few sessions before Ketamine use, is with you in the room during your Ketamine sessions, and for integration sessions after the use of Ketamine.

Ketamine integration Psychothearpy (KIP)

KIP involves working with a licensed therapist after a Ketamine journey has occurred. This therapist is unlike a KAP therapist and primarily focuses on supporting you with integration after your journey is completed.

Integration is a vital component of Ketamine treatment, and is pertinent to be done shortly after having a ketamine experience. During a Ketamine journey, folks experience different types of visuals, out of body experiences, and sounds than they normally would. Shortly after a journey has ended is when your brain is experiencing the most neuroplasticity. Integration allows for you to better make sense of your whole experience, learn deeper connections to the associations your brain made, and integrate new behaviors/habits that support shifting mental health symptoms.

KIP may be beneficial to those who prefer unguided ketamine journeys, are in concurrent treatment, or are having difficulty integrating a ketamine experience.

  • KAP treatment involves multiple providers that work together to assess appropriateness for Ketamine treatment and a therapist that guides you through your ketamine experiences with integration after.

    KIP treatment involves a therapist that helps you make sense of, explore, and build helpful habits from your ketamine experiences. This therapist typically does not assess you for appropriateness of ketamine treatment nor guides your ketamine journeys.

  • I provide KIP in conjunction with EMDR at this time.

    If you are interested in KAP or unguided ketamine treatment, I am happy to refer you to the appropriate treatment teams for KAP or prescribers for ketamine treatment.

  • If you have past experiences with ketamine or other psychedelics and feel that it was a "bad trip" or have had experiences that are hard to make sense of, I am happy to see if we are a good fit and assist in integration of the experience or provide EMDR to process the event as appropriate.

FAQs