Ketamine-Assisted Therapy (KAP)

What is KAP?

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy combines low doses of ketamine with psychotherapy to support emotional healing, insight, and nervous system regulation. Ketamine affects glutamate pathways in the brain and can increase neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new connections.

Many people experience a temporary shift in perspective, reduced emotional reactivity, or a sense of distance from habitual patterns. This can help loosen rigid thought patterns and increase access to emotional material that may feel difficult to reach in traditional talk therapy alone.

But the opening is just the beginning. The real work happens in preparation—building our relationship, clarifying your intentions—and in integration, where we make sense of what emerged and ground it into lasting change. Ketamine is not a cure. It can, however, create a window of opportunity for meaningful therapeutic change when combined with psychotherapy and integration.

I do not prescribe ketamine. Clients are referred to a licensed medical prescriber for a comprehensive evaluation. If approved, ketamine is prescribed by the medical provider and typically taken orally (such as a lozenge or troche) during scheduled psychotherapy sessions. My role is the therapeutic relationship: the preparation, the presence during medicine sessions, and the integration that follows.

Is KAP Right For You?

KAP may be a good fit if:

• You’ve tried therapy and possibly medication, and while they’ve helped, something still feels stuck
• You understand your patterns intellectually but can’t seem to shift them emotionally
• You’re dealing with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, or trauma
• You’re open to exploring your inner world in a different way
• You’re willing to commit to the full process—preparation, medicine sessions, and integration

KAP is not a quick fix. It asks something of you: the willingness to sit with what arises, to do the integration work, and to let the insights change how you live.

If your struggles center on your relationship, I also offer couples therapy using Emotionally Focused Therapy. Sometimes individual KAP work supports relationship healing; sometimes couples work is the right starting point. We can explore what fits.

Who Shouldn’t Pursue KAP

For safety reasons, KAP isn’t appropriate for everyone. You would not be a candidate if you have:

• Active psychosis or a history of psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder)
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure or unstable heart conditions
• Active substance abuse (most prescribers require 6-12 months of sobriety)
• Current pregnancy or plans to become pregnant
• Known allergy to ketamine

Some situations require careful evaluation but aren’t automatic disqualifiers: bipolar disorder (with mood stability), history of substance use disorder now in remission, or controlled hypertension. These are conversations to have during the screening process.

The Process

1. Consultation

We start with a conversation—no commitment required—to see if KAP might be right for you and whether we’d work well together. I’ll explain the process, answer your questions, and get a sense of your history and goals.

2. Medical Evaluation

If we decide to move forward, you’ll meet with a prescriber for a full medical and psychiatric evaluation. This includes reviewing your treatment history, current medications, and any health conditions. The prescriber determines medical eligibility and, if appropriate, provides the ketamine prescription.

This step is essential. I provide the therapy; the prescriber handles all medical decisions.

3. Preparation Sessions

Before any medicine session, we spend 1-3 sessions building our relationship and preparing you for the experience. We’ll explore your intentions, discuss what might come up, and establish practices for working with difficult material. This foundation is what makes the medicine sessions effective.

4. Medicine Sessions

Sessions take place in a comfortable, private setting. You’ll take ketamine sublingually (under the tongue). The experience typically lasts 60-90 minutes, with additional time afterward to return fully before you leave.

Most treatment courses involve 4-6 medicine sessions, though this varies based on your needs and response.

You cannot drive on treatment days—please arrange transportation.

What to Expect During a Session

Everyone’s experience is different, but common elements include:

• Physical sensations: Floating, warmth, heaviness or lightness, sometimes mild nausea
• Altered perception: Time may feel stretched or compressed; you may feel a sense of distance from your usual thoughts and concerns
• Emotional access: Feelings that are usually defended may surface—grief, love, fear, relief
• New perspectives: Seeing old problems from a different angle, sometimes with surprising clarity

The experience isn’t always comfortable, but it doesn’t need to be pleasant to be healing. I’ll be present throughout to help you stay oriented and work with whatever arises.

For some people, ketamine experiences have a spiritual dimension—a sense of connection, meaning, or encounter that feels significant. If spirituality or faith is part of your life, I welcome integrating that into how we prepare for and make sense of these experiences.

Effects resolve within a few hours. Most people feel back to baseline the next day, though some notice lingering openness or fatigue.

Investment

KAP is a significant commitment of time, energy, and resources. Here’s what to expect financially:

• Medical evaluation: Handled separately through the prescriber network (fees vary)
• Preparation, medicine & integration sessions: Standard therapy session rate

A full course of treatment—preparation, 4-6 medicine sessions, and integration—varies based on your needs. I’m happy to discuss specifics during our consultation.

Common Questions

Is ketamine therapy safe?

When prescribed by a qualified medical provider and used in a therapeutic setting, ketamine is generally well-tolerated. Possible short-term side effects may include nausea, dizziness, or dissociation. Medical screening helps determine whether ketamine is an appropriate option for you.

Is ketamine FDA-approved for mental health treatment?

Ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic. Its use for mental health is considered off-label, though it is increasingly used in clinical settings. Off-label use is a legal and accepted medical practice.

How is this different from ketamine clinics?

Many ketamine clinics offer IV infusions with minimal or no therapeutic support—you receive the medicine, sit in a chair, and go home. KAP is different: the medicine is one part of a larger therapeutic process that includes preparation, relational support during the experience, and integration afterward. The therapy is the treatment; ketamine is what makes certain therapy possible.

How many sessions are needed?

The number of sessions varies depending on your goals and response to treatment. KAP typically includes preparation, ketamine-assisted sessions, and integration work. We will collaborate to determine a pace that feels safe and supportive.

How do I know if KAP is right for me?

An initial consultation helps determine whether KAP may be a good fit. Medical eligibility is assessed separately by the prescribing provider. There’s no pressure or commitment—we’ll talk about what you’re experiencing and whether this approach makes sense.