Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)
Living with depression, anxiety, or the effects of trauma can be exhausting, especially when you feel like you’ve already tried many treatments without enough relief. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is an emerging approach that combines a carefully monitored ketamine experience with supportive talk therapy.
In our practice, KAP is not a quick fix or a stand-alone medication, as with a ketamine infusion. Instead, we use ketamine as one part of a broader therapeutic process. Before your first session, we spend time understanding your history, current symptoms, and treatment goals. During each session, you are closely monitored by trained clinicians, and we help you make sense of your experience afterward through integration sessions.
KAP is not right for everyone, but it may be an option for people whose symptoms have not responded to more traditional treatments. On this page, we’ll explain what ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is, who it may help, what to expect during a session, and how to decide whether it might be a good fit for you.
How Does KAP Work?
Ketamine is believed to work in several ways to assist in psychotherapy:
- Neurological Effects: It acts on the brain’s glutamate system, promoting neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new neural connections. This can help individuals "unstick" from negative thought patterns and behaviors.
- Altered States of Consciousness: The medication can temporarily alter perception and consciousness, allowing for a broader perspective on personal issues and a deeper engagement with the therapeutic process. This can reduce psychological defenses and facilitate introspection.
- Reduced Symptoms: KAP has shown significant promise in reducing symptoms of depression, PTSD, and anxiety by providing rapid relief that can be built upon in subsequent therapy sessions.
What to Expect from KAP Treatment
Our KAP program is intensive and highly structured to ensure safety and effectiveness. The process typically includes:
- Medical & Mental Health Screening: A thorough evaluation is conducted to determine if you are a suitable candidate for KAP. This includes a review of your medical and psychological history.
- Preparatory Sessions: Before the first medicine session, you will meet with a therapist to set intentions, discuss the process, and prepare for the experience.
- Medicine Sessions: Clients generally have one medicine session each week for a set number of weeks. *Your therapist will be present, and our physician will be on site, to provide guidance and support in a safe, clinical environment.
- Integration Sessions: Following each medicine session, you will have a follow-up integration session with your therapist. This is a critical step: you process the insights and experiences gained during the ketamine session and apply them to your daily life.
KAP Is Comprehensive Integrative Treatment
KAP is a comprehensive journey that requires commitment. Our standard protocol involves at least 4 weeks of treatment, with 1 medicine session and 1 integration session each week.
Important Considerations
- "Off-Label" Use: The use of ketamine for mental health treatment is considered "off-label" and has not yet been approved by the FDA for this specific purpose. However, its effectiveness has been demonstrated in a growing body of clinical research.
- Holistic Approach: We believe in treating the whole person. KAP is not a magic bullet, but a powerful tool used in the context of ongoing therapy to address complex mental health challenges. KAP is distinguished from ketamine infusion therapy by its emphasis on preparation, relational safety, active therapeutic engagement during the session, and post-session integration work.
Is KAP Right for You?
If you have struggled with traditional treatments and are seeking a new path toward healing, KAP may be an option. To determine if this innovative therapy is a good fit for your needs, we invite you to have a confidential conversation with one of our therapists.
Contact Us Today to Learn More
Ready to take the next step toward a more fulfilling life? Please reach out to us at intake@bsoal.com or call to schedule a consultation.