Ketamine is an anesthetic that works by blocking NMDA receptors. It is a drug that has been used and studied for the past 50 years.

It is the use of ketamine to cause intentional altering consciousness combined with traditional talk therapy.

KAP is transformative, but not a quick fix. Clients often experience significant changes, yet progress is typically gradual and requires ongoing therapy. Multiple sessions are usually necessary, and the best outcomes are seen within a comprehensive treatment plan. Benefits may include enhanced mood, decreased anxiety, improved resilience, trauma resolution, deeper engagement with life and relationships, heightened self-compassion and mindfulness, reduced compulsive behaviors, and a broader perspective on one's experiences and identity.

In medicalized ketamine treatment models like IV clinics and Spravato, the emphasis is predominantly on the medicinal aspect as the primary agent for healing, often overlooking the significance of the therapeutic relationship and the altered state experienced during treatment. This approach can inadvertently undermine the client's sense of agency and their innate need for protection, connection, and permission, which are essential elements in healing trauma, leaving them in a passive role in their own journey towards healing.

It is crucial to recognize that while ketamine is indeed a valuable component of our approach, the therapeutic relationship and process also play pivotal roles as catalysts for change.

When evaluating other ketamine treatment facilities, we have encountered practices that lack adequate support and, in some instances, raise ethical concerns. These include abbreviated session times, insufficient dosages for therapeutic benefit, absence of onsite medical professionals, and inadequate support during sessions, as well as insufficient preparation and integration protocols. Moreover, many of these settings often exude a clinical and impersonal atmosphere.

In contrast, at Healing Practice Counseling, INC, we are committed to providing a nurturing and supportive environment where every aspect of the treatment process is carefully considered. This encompasses continuous support throughout your Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) Group or Individual sessions, curated music to enrich the therapeutic experience, the use of eyeshades to deepen introspection, extended session times to allow for proper recovery and integration, provision of post-session refreshments, and ongoing integrative psychotherapy aimed at fostering long-term healing and personal growth.

The number of KAP sessions varies individually, based on treatment goals and response to treatment.

KAP's effectiveness builds over time, so significant benefits are not typically observed after a single session. The initial ketamine session helps determine the appropriate dosage, with a minimum recommendation of 3 sessions and clients often benefiting from 3-6 sessions. Some clients opt for intermittent "booster sessions" over months or years.

Prior to starting KAP treatment, we provide 2-3 preparation sessions to ensure you feel comfortable and prepared for the experience. Following each KAP session, we schedule an integration session. There is no set schedule between sessions, as everyone's needs differ. Generally, we advise waiting at least a week between sessions.

Ketamine has various routes of administration. With KAP, it is either taken sublingually (SL) via a rapid dissolving lozenge, or intramuscularly (IM) via injection.

KAP can be administered at low doses but it can sometimes administer at higher doses to achieve this heightened experience.

Yes. Ketamine does not interact with SSRIs or other antidepressants. It would be recommended to continue taking any prescribed psychiatric medications as usual.

It would not be recommended to be on KAP if patient is using benzodiazepines and or opioids on a regular basis or at high doses.

KAP has been studied to be beneficial for depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Potential side effects of ketamine are elevated blood pressure/heart rate, dizziness, and nausea. Patients with high blood pressure should be controlled before ketamine assisted psychotherapy.

The treatment is performed in a controlled environment and performed infrequently which lowers the risk of abuse and addiction. However, it should be advised with caution for patients with a history of substance abuse based on the discretion of a provider.

KAP may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those with specific medical or psychological conditions. Psychiatric contraindications include psychosis, schizophrenia, or active mania or hypomania associated with bipolar disorder. Medical contraindications comprise allergies to ketamine, cardiovascular disease or arrhythmia, uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, or pregnancy and nursing. Further screening is essential to assess the safety of KAP for everyone.

DISCLAIMER: Healing Practice Counseling, INC strictly refrains from providing or condoning the use of psychoactive or illegal substances. Our practice does not facilitate referrals to practitioners operating outside legal boundaries, nor do we facilitate access to psychedelic compounds or supervise psychedelic experiences for clients. It is imperative that clients do not attend therapy sessions while under the influence of illicit substances.