Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)
Have you been dealing with chronic challenges like depression, anxiety or past traumatic events that continue to affect your every day life? If so, KAP may be your next best option for healing and transformation.
This therapy creates a unique space for deep reflection and insight, helping you break through barriers that once seemed impossible to overcome. As a KAP therapist, I am here to guide and support you through this journey, ensuring a safe and transformative experience that fosters lasting change.
Am I a Good Candidate?
Before diving into ketamine therapy, it's important to make sure it's safe for you. If you're experiencing hallucinations, acute mania, hyperthyroidsim, cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure, bladder issues, liver health concerns, or if you're currently struggling with addiction, these concerns need to be addressed first by our medical staff. By having a thorough health and wellness exam, we can decide if this treatment is right for you.
What to Expect
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Phone Consultation (20 minutes):
This initial call is designed to give us a thorough understanding of what you're going through and to assess whether KAP is the right approach. We'll explore your symptoms, discuss your mental health history, and answer any questions you might have about the process. This is a safe space for you to share your concerns and for us to begin building our relationship.
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Medical / Psychiatric Evaluation:
You'll have an appointment with our medical provider for a thorough physical and mental health evaluation. This step ensures that KAP is safe and appropriate for your specific needs. We will conduct a physical exam, and discuss any current health concerns. This evaluation is fundamental to tailoring the treatment to your specific needs.
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2 Pre-Sessions (Minimum):
Before beginning medicine sessions, you'll participate in at least two prep sessions. These meetings are essential for building a trusting relationship, clarifying your therapeutic goals, and setting intentions for your treatment. You'll discuss what you hope to achieve through KAP and how you can best prepare mentally and emotionally for the sessions. These pre-sessions lay the groundwork for a transformative experience.
KAP Sessions:
The gold standard is 6 consecutive weekly KAP sessions, but the amount and frequency depends on your individual needs. Each KAP session lasts about 2 hours. During this time, a carefully controlled dose of ketamine is administered under close supervision. I will will be with you throughout the entire session, providing individualized support and guidance. I will help you navigate the experiences, facilitating a therapeutic process aimed at achieving deep insights and emotional breakthroughs.
What is the Medicine Session Like?
At the heart of the ketamine journey, many people experience a deep and expansive state where they feel connected to something much bigger than themselves. This can be a powerful and moving experience, but it's also important to be ready and supported through it. Here's how I can help:
1. Creating a Safe Space: I make sure the environment is calm, safe, and welcoming, so you feel secure and supported from the start.
2. Getting Ready Mentally and Emotionally: Before starting, we talk about what you hope to find on this journey and get you prepared mentally and emotionally. This helps guide your experience towards healing.
3. Being There With You: You're not alone on this journey. I will be with you the whole time, ready to help you through any tough spots you might encounter.
4. Learning and Growing From the Experience: After "coming back," we'll talk about what you experienced and how you can use those insights to make positive changes in your life.
Post-Healing /
Integration
If sustained transformation is what you're seeking, then integration is not an option; it's a crucial part of the healing journey.
I believe that using ketamine as a healing tool requires significant care and respect. In a culture always looking for quick fixes, there's a risk that without mindful use, treatments like KAP could end up being just another disappointment.
Integration ensures that this powerful treatment is paired with a commitment to intentional, lasting change in your daily life. It's about taking the insights and breakthroughs from KAP sessions and actively applying them to create lasting transformation.
Without integration, we risk missing the full potential of this profound therapeutic approach. It is the key to turning the awareness gained during ketamine sessions into meaningful change, bridging the gap between deep therapeutic experiences and everyday well-being.
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How many treatments will I need before I see results?Our standard treatment includes 6 KAP sessions, usually done weekly over six weeks. One session can bring immediate positive effects, but follow-up sessions are important for long-term improvement. The number of sessions you need depends on your specific situation and the treatment plan we create together. We adjust the frequency and duration based on your progress. The process involves more than just the ketamine sessions. You'll also work with a therapist to integrate and process your experiences, making sure you get the most out of KAP.
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How does ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) work?KAP combines ketamine medication with therapy to create a unique approach to healing. Here’s how it works: Check-in (30 minutes): We’ll set your intentions for treatment and talk about any insights or changes since your last session. Medicine Session (1 hour): Ketamine is given through an IV, orally, or by injection to create an altered state of consciousness. This helps with introspection and emotional processing, allowing you to explore new perspectives, emotions, and memories. I’ll be by your side the whole time, offering support and guidance. Post-Session (30 minutes): With additional support between medicine sessions, you’ll integrate and process your insights, emotions, and experiences, which is vital for understanding patterns and reaching your goals. Follow-Up and Continued Care: KAP usually involves multiple sessions over time. Ongoing follow-up and care are crucial for sustained progress and addressing any ongoing therapeutic needs.
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How long do the effects last after ketamine is administered?The medicine part of the session lasts approximately one hour. The entire session is around 2 hours, allowing extra time for preparation and recovery.
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Is ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) safe?Administered under professional supervision, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is generally considered safe. As an FDA-approved anesthetic with a long history of medical use, ketamine has established safety. However, like any medical intervention, there are potential risks. Common side effects during KAP may include temporary changes in perception, mood, and cognition, usually short-lived and resolving as the drug wears off. A medical evaluation before treatment is crucial to assess and manage potential risks.
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How long does a ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) session last?A KAP session typically lasts 1 to 3 hours, varying based on the treatment protocol, individual response, and therapeutic goals. The individual receives a controlled ketamine dose through IV, IM, or other routes, monitored by healthcare professionals. Post-administration, therapeutic aspects like talk therapy or mindfulness exercises occur, maximizing ketamine benefits.
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How effective is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) compared to traditional therapy?KAP has shown great promise in treating certain mental health conditions, though its effectiveness can vary based on the specific condition and individual factors. KAP is particularly effective for treatment-resistant depression, often showing rapid and significant symptom improvement within hours or days. Long-term benefits may require additional sessions or maintenance treatments. There’s also promising research underway for using KAP to treat anxiety disorders, PTSD, and substance use disorders.
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Is ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) regulated and legal?The legal status of KAP in Texas depends on state laws, medical board regulations, and professional guidelines. Right now, ketamine is approved for pain management and anesthesia, and it's been used off-label for about twenty years to treat certain mental health conditions.
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What are some other names for ketamine-assisted psychotherapy?Ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT), Ketamine-enhanced psychotherapy, Psychedelic-assisted therapy, Ketamine-assisted treatment (KAT), Ketamine-assisted mindfulness therapy, Ketamine-facilitated psychotherapy, Ketamine-assisted healing, Ketamine-assisted healing sessions, Psychedelic integration therapy, Transpersonal ketamine therapy, Ketamine-assisted trauma therapy.
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What is psychedelic integration counseling?Psychedelic integration counseling is designed to help you make sense of and benefit from your experiences with psychedelics. If you've had a psychedelic journey and are looking to understand, process, and apply the insights you've gained to your everyday life, this type of counseling can be incredibly helpful. Here’s what you can expect from psychedelic integration counseling: Support and Understanding: You’ll have a safe, non-judgmental space to discuss your psychedelic experiences with a trained therapist who truly understands these unique experiences. Integration of Insights: Your counselor will help you integrate the insights, emotions, and thoughts from your psychedelic journey into your daily life, exploring how these relate to your personal growth and well-being. Emotional Processing: Together, we'll work through any challenging emotions, memories, or traumas that surfaced during your experience. Setting Intentions: If you plan future psychedelic experiences, your counselor will help you set intentions to maximize therapeutic benefits and personal growth. Developing Coping Strategies: You’ll learn coping strategies to manage any lingering psychological or emotional challenges. Integration Plan: Your counselor will help you create a structured plan with actionable steps for applying your insights to everyday life. Personal Growth: The focus is on personal growth, self-discovery, and improved mental well-being, rather than just addressing specific issues or symptoms. Psychedelic integration counseling is becoming more recognized as psychedelic-assisted therapies gain attention and acceptance in the mental health field. It’s especially beneficial if you’ve experienced psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca, MDMA, or similar substances in therapeutic or ceremonial settings. The goal is to help you derive long-term benefits from your psychedelic experiences and navigate any challenges or changes they bring. Also known as: psychedelic integration therapy, integration therapy, psychedelic integration coaching, integration support, post-psychedelic integration, psychedelic therapy integration, psychedelic aftercare, visionary integration, entheogenic integration.