What is Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy and how can it be useful for patients?
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy is a specialized form of therapy that takes place during or in conjunction with ketamine infusions. It involves psychotherapists who have experience with and knowledge about ketamine and its effects on the brain.
What are the forms of Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy?
During your IV Ketamine Infusion
One form of Ketamine assisted psychotherapy is when a KAP-trained therapist accompanies you for your IV ketamine infusion. With their training, they support you if anything comes up during the session, and process the session with you immediately after.
In Between your IV Ketamine Infusions
Many patients who choose to relax and focus on the experience during treatments decide to instead use the neuroplastic window in between infusions for therapy. You should undergo at least one preparatory session before your infusions. In between ketamine infusions, while your brain is neuroplastic from the ketamine, you meet with your therapist for integration therapy sessions to more deeply understand your experience and begin forming new thought patterns.
Using Oral Trochees, NOT during IV Ketamine sessions
Some patients prefer to utilize very low-dose oral ketamine during talk therapy sessions to remove ego inhibitions and share thoughts more freely with their psychotherapists. This method of Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, while not research-backed, focuses on healing via the talk therapy experience.
How do I evaluate different ketamine assisted psychotherapists?
It is important to find a specialist that you feel safe with and can agree on a treatment plan with prior to your first session. We would look out for therapists who:
- Have received special ketamine training
- Have worked extensively with ketamine patients during or in between infusions
- Come recommended by loved ones, your mental health team or other ketamine-familiar advocates
Does Avesta have any Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapists to recommend?
We do! Please fill out your information here to review our full list of recommended therapists.
