‍What is Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)?

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) combines the use of ketamine, a medication, with psychotherapy. When used at a low dosage, ketamine can occasion a psychedelic-like state which can aid in the process of psychotherapy. Research is showing that ketamine can be helpful in the treatment of depression and post-traumatic stress. 

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy is showing great promise to help people process emotions and problems that traditional talk-therapy is not reaching. By engaging in KAP, you will have the opportunity to reset your nervous system, access parts of you that may be stuck in the past, and integrate these experiences with ongoing support and integration.

The ongoing work of integration is where real change occurs. Thrive’s clinicians who are trained in KAP are well versed in the application of psychedelic experiences into transformation, growth, and healing. 

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is considered a dissociative anesthetic, but it has psychedelic-like effects. Here are some key distinctions and points related to its classification:

1. Dissociative Anesthetic: Ketamine was originally developed as an anesthetic and is classified as a dissociative agent due to its ability to cause feelings of detachment from reality, altered sensory perception, and dissociation.
2. Psychedelic Effects: While ketamine does not fit neatly into the classic category of psychedelics (like LSD or psilocybin), it can induce hallucinations, alterations in perception, and profound subjective experiences, which are characteristics often associated with psychedelics.
3. Mechanism of Action: Ketamine primarily acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist and influences glutamate activity, which differs from the typical receptor pathways that classic psychedelics predominantly act upon, such as the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor.
4. Therapeutic Use: Recently, ketamine has garnered attention for its potential in treating mental health conditions, namely depression and PTSD, sometimes drawing comparisons to traditional psychedelics due to its ability to induce profound shifts in consciousness and emotional experience.

Is it for me?

KAP is showing great promise for treatment-resistant depression and PTSD. KAP is recommended if you have tried traditional talk therapy approaches and are not seeing the results that you are wanting. It is not recommended to go into a psychedelic state without the proper setting, mindset, and preparation. KAP is a safe and legal way to utilize the benefits of psychedelics.

KAP is recommended for people with persistent symptoms of:

• Depression
• Post traumatic stress 
• Anxiety

What are the Risks?

Ketamine use carries potential risks, including:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Changes in blood pressure and heart rate
• Dissociation and altered perception
• Potential for psychological distress
• Dependence or misuse (rare in a controlled therapeutic setting)

It's important to discuss these risks with a healthcare provider before considering KAP.

What is the Process?

1. Initial Consultation: Assessment and discussion of suitability for KAP.
2. Preparatory Sessions: Therapy to set intentions and prepare for ketamine sessions. This preparation time will also include a referral to a local prescriber who will do a full evaluation to make sure there are no contraindications for KAP.
3. Ketamine Sessions: Administration of ketamine in a safe, controlled environment with therapeutic support at Thrive Therapy. Thrive utilizes oral administration of ketamine.
4. Integration Sessions: Therapy to process experiences and integrate insights gained during ketamine sessions.

What is the Cost?

For 6 in-office KAP sessions (over 2-3 weeks) the cost is $2,700.

Maintenance KAP: 2.5 hour-in-office session for clients previously treated with ketamine and/or KAP for mental health conditions is $450. 

50-minute integration sessions are $150 per session.

Note: Costs may vary. Contact for specific pricing details.

Therapists:

Brock Anderson, LAMFT is trained in EMDR and specializes in Religious Trauma which can help support clients through any spiritual dynamics that arise as part of the KAP process. Brock holds a Certificate from Transpersonal Research Institute of Psychotherapeutic Psychedelics (TRIPP).

Troy Zaslove, LPC is trained in EMDR and is Internal Family Systems (IFS) informed which can help to guide clients through the integration of their protective parts. Troy holds a Certificate from Transpersonal Research Institute of Psychotherapeutic Psychedelics (TRIPP).