KETAMINE-ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY in Frisco, CO
What is Ketamine-assisted Psychotherapy?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (also known as KAP) is therapeutic modality in which the medicinal benefits of Ketamine are coupled with psychotherapy.
This combination allows clients to access their ‘felt sense’ of emotions and open a doorway to difficult or unconscious material. This way of accessing and working with trauma (of all kinds) allows clients to process and heal in a more rapid and powerful way.
Ketamine, specifically, impacts the parts of our brains that are related to memory and synaptic plasticity. This can allow people to process feelings, experience emotions and memories in new ways, and to once again feel a sense of ease & wholeness.
Many people can benefit from ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, including those experiencing depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidality.
Ok, but what is ketamine?
Ketamine has been used therapeutically since the 1970s, and is classified as a dissociative anesthetic. Initially, ketamine was used by anesthesiologists to ease pain and keep patients asleep during surgical procedures. Through its use as an anesthetic, researchers found that ketamine improved symptoms for patients experiencing depression. Further research on ketamine’s impact led to supporting its use in treatment of depression.
Where ketamine becomes emotionally therapeutic is at slightly higher doses. This allows for a notable reduction or complete absence of anxiety and depressive symptoms. The shift primarily occurs in the default mode network of the brain, where our psychological guards and defenses are often associated. This creates a trance-like state in which our conscious mind is allowed to traverse our memories and emotions without the weight of fear or anxiety of doing so.
At this slightly higher dose ketamine can allow for lowered anxiety and some psychedelic effects, often described as a disembodied or trance-like state.
The term ‘psychedelic’ has various connotations in today’s world, but ultimately refers to something that is ‘mind manifesting’. Psychiatrist Humphry Osmond defined psychedelics as “producing expanded consciousness through heightened awareness and feeling”.
At psychedelic dosages, people can have deeply meaningful experiences, connecting us to our memories and emotions in a way that transcends one’s normal - potentially constrictive - boundaries of identity, limitations, fears or anxieties.
These states are often referred to as ‘transpersonal’ experiences. Toward the end of the session, the effects of ketamine dissipate and metabolize at which point clients have access to further integrate with their therapist, allowing for a deeper, wider understanding and catalyst for change.
What to expect from KAP:
INTAKE
If you’re not already a client of mine, we do a few intake sessions to explore your history from various angles. You will also have an intake with the medical provider I work with, who will do a medical & physiological intake.
Both are designed to ensure this is the best method of treatment for you.
PREPARATION
Prior to a medicated session, we will have at least one preparation session to get to the heart of your intention(s). We will use this time to create a plan for your medicated sessions, explore logistics, and work through any concerns or questions you may have. We often use this time to explore regulation techniques you can use throughout the course of treatment.
JOURNEY
During medicated sessions, you will self-administer the Ketamine (via the lozenges prescribed to you by the medical provider). The medicine takes 15-30 minutes to take effect.
I will be there with you to process your experience, help you work with any painful memories or emotions, and support your wisdom throughout the experience.
INTEGRATE
We will have at least one integration session between each of your medicated (KAP) sessions, no sooner than one day following your journey.
This process, from intake through medicated & integration sessions, is deeply, thoughtfully tailored to each client. The pace and plan of our work based on your unique needs & goals.
