Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
A part of your mental health journey
“It is important to have a good map when we travel to new territories, and inner journeys to non-ordinary states are no exception. “ -Stanislav Grof, MD PHD
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy & Transformation:
Ketamine: Ketamine is an FDA-approved medication that can be prescribed off label for mental health purposes. When prescribed by a physician or nurse practitioner licensed to practice in Washington State, ketamine use for off-label treatments is legal.
A prescriber will assess Ketamine suitability, route of administration and appropriate dosage. In addition to working with a prescriber, Ketamine preparation and integration sessions play a crucial role in maximizing the therapeutic benefits of Ketamine.
How It Works: Ketamine affects the brain's glutamate system, which is associated with learning, memory, and mood regulation. In the context of therapy, it helps create a state of increased neuroplasticity, making it easier for you to explore and process emotions, thoughts, and memories. This heightened state of awareness often leads to profound insights and a deeper understanding of oneself.
To learn more about the mechanisms of Ketamine therapy click What is Ketamine Therapy.
Who Can Benefit: Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy has shown promise in treating various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. It can be particularly effective for individuals who have not responded well to traditional forms of therapy or medication. Suitability for this therapy will be assessed using medical history, current medications, and other relevant factors.
To read about the efficacy of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy click KAP Clinical Data and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, psychedelic methodologies, and the impregnable value of the subjective—a new and evolving approach.
Benefits: The dissociative and introspective effects of ketamine can help break through emotional barriers, facilitating a more profound therapeutic experience. It often promotes a sense of mental flexibility and openness, allowing for a more dynamic exploration of one's thoughts and emotions during the therapy session.
Preparation Sessions: Occur prior to Ketamine administration. Preparation sessions help build the framework for the ketamine therapy - reducing the risk of harm and maximizing potential benefits. During this time, we will work collaboratively to establish a safe container for your experience that is guided by intention and care.
Integration Sessions: Occur throughout treatment. I typically provide virtual integration sessions 12 to 24 hours following Ketamine administration. When my schedule permits, I am available to sit with clients during and following Ketamine administration, often referred to as the medicine session (typically 2.5 to 3 hours).
1. Processing Experiences: Integration sessions provide a dedicated space for us to delve into and make sense of the experiences you had during the ketamine-assisted sessions. Ketamine can bring about profound and sometimes intense emotions and insights, and these integration sessions allow us to process these experiences in a supportive and guided manner.
2. Bridging Insights to Daily Life: The insights gained during ketamine-assisted sessions can be transformative, and the integration sessions serve as a bridge to help you apply these insights to your daily life. We work together to connect the lessons learned in the altered state of consciousness with your real-world experiences, fostering a deeper understanding and facilitating lasting positive change.
3. Emotional Support: Ketamine therapy can bring up a range of emotions. Through integration sessions, I offer a safe space to express and explore these feelings. Whether it's joy, sadness, confusion, or a mix of emotions, having regular check-ins ensures that you feel supported throughout your therapeutic journey.
4. Fine-Tuning Treatment Plan: Each individual responds uniquely to ketamine therapy, and integration sessions provide an opportunity to assess and fine-tune the treatment plan. Based on your evolving needs - dosage, frequency and therapeutic modalities can be adjusted during treatment, ensuring that the treatment remains tailored to your specific goals and challenges.
5. Enhancing Self-Awareness: Regular integration sessions contribute to a continuous process of self-discovery and increased self-awareness. By reflecting on the insights gained from ketamine-assisted sessions, we can identify patterns, beliefs, or behaviors that may need further exploration, allowing for a more comprehensive and personalized therapeutic journey.
Click Transpersonal Psychotherapy to learn about other modalities that can incorporated into integration sessions to enhance processing, instillation of insights, and overall wellbeing.
6. Sustaining Positive Changes: The integration process is not just about understanding the experiences but also about implementing strategies to sustain positive changes in your life. We collaboratively develop coping mechanisms, mindfulness techniques, and other tools to help you navigate challenges and build on the progress made during the ketamine-assisted sessions.
Conclusion: In essence, integration sessions are a vital component of the overall ketamine-assisted psychotherapy experience. They ensure that the insights gained during the sessions are not only understood intellectually but also integrated into your everyday life, promoting lasting positive change and personal growth. If you have any questions or concerns about the integration process, please feel free to share them, and we can discuss how to make this journey as beneficial as possible for you.
* Currently, most insurances do not cover Ketamine therapy. Please check with your health insurance provider.
Fees:
Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Medicine Session are $375/ 2.5 hr session
Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Preparation and Integration Sessions are $165/ 50 min session.
Curious if Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is right for you, click the button bellow to schedule a free 15min consultation.