Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Process

Step One: Preparation Sessions

Prior to taking any medication, clients meet with their therapist to discuss their mental health history and current symptoms. Goals and intentions for treatment will be developed collaboratively with the client and therapist, and a personalized preparation plan will be created. Clients can expect their preparation to include a variety of practices that may include mindfulness exercises, emotional exploration techniques and somatic practices.

Step Two: Dosing Sessions

Ketamine is administered in a comfortable and private setting where clients are carefully monitored by medical professionals to ensure their safety. The effects of ketamine, which most patients find pleasant, last for approximately 45 minutes. These effects can make you feel “far from” your body, and facilitate shifts in perception that can often feel expansive in nature. Your motor and verbal abilities will be reduced, so you’ll be lying down in a comfortable position during the experience.

Step Three: Integration Sessions

After the ketamine infusion is complete, patients typically spend some time resting and reflecting on their experience. The therapist then works with the patient to integrate insights gained during the session into their daily life and develop coping strategies for managing their symptoms.