Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
FDA Approved
100% Legal
Many clients find Ketamine to be a preferred option due to its legality, accessibility, and effectiveness. Wherever you are, Ketamine infusion clinics and oral Ketamine prescribers are available to help alleviate your symptoms. I can help you connect with the right medical provider for your needs.
A Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy protocol generally includes a thorough assessment, preparation sessions, and integration sessions.
The assessment is pivotal in uncovering the root cause of your suffering and understanding the challenges in your healing journey. It serves as a foundation, steering us toward profound healing rather than merely addressing symptoms.
Preparation sessions support you in establishing therapy goals, enhancing self-awareness, and getting you ready to engage with the psychedelic medicine.
Integration sessions follow each medicine session, aiming to deepen your understanding of your psychedelic experience and integrate it into your daily life.
Ketamine sessions can be at a Ketamine clinic, in the comfort of your home, or in my office, and are always followed by an integration session. Ongoing integration is the art of preserving the benefits from these medicine sessions. Throughout this entire process, I am committed to providing support and guiding you on your path towards healing and self-discovery.
How Ketamine Works
Ketamine has shown promising results in helping individuals with certain mental illnesses, and its effectiveness is still an area of ongoing research. The exact mechanisms of how ketamine works to alleviate symptoms of mental illness are not fully understood, but there are several medical and psychological theories:
Encouraging cognitive flexibility vs. rigidity: It is postulated that the the medicine shuts down the area of the brain (Default Mode Network) where the ego resides, and encourages new and varied connections throughout the brain. It is as though the ego wants to run a certain program, and the medicine pauses it. In this way, clients are able to see an alternative way of being and access feelings of safety, joy, and connection that the ego prevents them from seeing. This is a difficult experience to forget and tends to lead to a more flexible self-identity vs. an ego that consistently needs to defend itself or color reality in a way that is predictable, even if it doesn’t feel good.
Glutamate Modulation: Ketamine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, which means it affects the glutamate neurotransmitter system. This modulation may lead to increased synaptic plasticity, promoting the formation of new neural connections.
Neuroplasticity: Ketamine has been associated with promoting neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections. This may contribute to improved mood and cognitive function.
Inflammatory Response: Some studies suggest that ketamine may have anti-inflammatory effects, and inflammation has been linked to certain mental health conditions. By reducing inflammation, ketamine might contribute to symptom relief.
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF): Ketamine has been found to increase the production of BDNF, a protein that supports the growth and maintenance of neurons. This increase in BDNF levels may play a role in the antidepressant effects of ketamine.
Rapid Onset of Action: Unlike traditional antidepressants, ketamine often produces rapid effects, sometimes within hours. This quick onset of action can be crucial for individuals in acute distress.
It's important to note that while ketamine has shown promise, it is not a first-line treatment for all mental health conditions, and its long-term effects and safety are still being studied. Ketamine treatment is typically administered under medical supervision, and its use for mental health purposes is often prescribed "off-label" by healthcare professionals. It's crucial for individuals considering ketamine treatment to discuss the potential benefits and risks with their healthcare provider.
