Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)
Break out of negative thought patterns.
If you’ve ever felt trapped in an endless loop of negative thinking – like replaying the same worries, self-criticism, or painful memories – ketamine can help you break free. It works on specific pathways in the brain that are connected to mood and thinking.
When you’re in a ketamine session, these rigid thought patterns can loosen up, allowing you to see things from a fresh perspective. This mental flexibility is an excellent opportunity to dive deeper into therapy and process emotions you may have avoided.
Promote brain flexibility and experience long-lasting effects.
One of the unique functions that ketamine does is to promote neuroplasticity – basically, it helps your brain form new connections. If you’ve felt stuck in your mental health journey, this can be a game-changer.
Ketamine gives your brain the flexibility to rewire itself, helping you learn new coping skills or adopt healthier ways of thinking. So, when you’re working through issues in therapy, the brain is more “ready” to change and adapt.
While the immediate effects of ketamine wear off after a few hours, many people experience long-lasting benefits. After a few sessions, you might notice that your mood improves, and you feel more connected and optimistic about life.
Combined with regular therapy, the breakthroughs you make during ketamine sessions tend to stick, leading to real, sustained change.
KAP can help with issues related to stress.
Depression – If you’ve been dealing with depression or even suicidal thoughts, waiting weeks for an antidepressant to kick in can feel impossible. Ketamine, on the other hand, can start lifting that heavy weight in a matter of hours or days. It offers quick relief, giving you a chance to catch your breath and regain a sense of control.
Anhedonia (Inability to Feel Pleasure) – Anhedonia is a common symptom of depression where you can’t feel joy or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy. Ketamine has been effective in helping people regain their sense of interest and enjoyment.
Anxiety Disorders – If you experience constant worry, restlessness, and an inability to relax, ketamine can help reduce the intensity of these symptoms. For those who fear social situations or feel paralyzed by the prospect of interacting with others, ketamine can help lessen those overwhelming fears.
Trauma – People carrying emotional or psychological trauma, even without a complete diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), can benefit from ketamine therapy by processing their experiences less intensely. People with PTSD often struggle with flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts related to past trauma. Ketamine can help reduce the emotional intensity of these symptoms, making it easier to process the trauma in therapy.
Chronic Stress and Burnout – If you’re dealing with long-term stress or feeling completely overwhelmed by the demands of life, ketamine can provide a mental “reset” that helps break the cycle of burnout and emotional exhaustion.
KAP can help with unwanted behaviors and thoughts.
Panic Disorder – If you suffer from panic attacks, ketamine can help ease the frequency or severity of the attacks by reducing the fear response.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – Ketamine therapy can help break the cycle of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors by promoting greater cognitive flexibility. This allows individuals with OCD to engage more productively in therapeutic work, addressing the underlying issues behind their symptoms.
Suicidal Ideation – One of the most striking uses of ketamine is its ability to reduce suicidal thoughts rapidly. This makes it especially helpful in crises where quick intervention is critical.
Substance Use Disorders – Ketamine has been used as part of a broader treatment plan to help reduce cravings for alcohol and to make it easier to break the cycle of addiction. For those trying to break free from opioid dependence, ketamine therapy can offer emotional relief while helping ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
Ketamine can help address a host of other mental and physical issues.
Emotional Numbness – For those who feel emotionally “numb” or disconnected from their feelings, ketamine can help reawaken a sense of emotional clarity and connectedness, allowing you to process feelings more effectively.
Low Self-Esteem and Negative Self-Image – If low self-worth or a harsh inner critic is part of your mental health struggles, ketamine therapy can help soften these negative thought patterns, allowing you to see yourself in a more compassionate, divine light.
Chronic Pain – Ketamine can also be effective for chronic pain conditions that are hard to treat, such as Fibromyalgia, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Neuropathic pain, Migraines, Back Pain and Whiplash Injury. By interacting with the brain’s pain receptors, ketamine helps reduce the experience of pain, both physical and emotional.
Sleep Disorders Linked to Mental Health Issues – If you struggle with insomnia or disrupted sleep due to anxiety, depression, or PTSD, ketamine therapy may help regulate your sleep by reducing the mental health symptoms that contribute to poor rest.
Ketamine can make a difference.
If you struggle with having a lasting effect from traditional therapy alone, you might consider seeking KAP. As reviewed in the sections above, this type of therapy has proven effective at treating a variety of emotional, behavioral, and physical issues that keep many from having a life free from mental and physical challenges.
As a therapist trained in KAP, I have seen how this approach can make a lasting difference.
If you are interested in KAP as an alternative to traditional therapy, please get in touch with me today.