Ketamine-assisted Therapy (KAT)

Ketamine-Assisted Therapy (KAT) is one of many approaches to using the drug ketamine.
While ketamine alone has strong and immediate antidepressant effects, those effects can be
short-lived. Our approach is insight-oriented in that we pair the altered state of
consciousness that ketamine produces with therapy. This utilizes the neuroplastic effects
(meaning the brain is temporarily more flexible and able to make different connections) to
change the way we think and feel. This approach is ideally suited for people struggling with
multiple forms of depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health struggles.

About The Process

KAT sessions are generally 3 hours in length allowing for a natural flow from preparation to experiential to integration phases. Emphasis is on providing psychotherapeutic support and processing material that arises during sessions.

Clients can expect to experience a range of benefits, including:

• A “time out” from the ordinary mind and reality
• Decrease in negative or obsessive thoughts and negative self-talk
• Profound shifts in perspective on self, relationships, and worldview
• A more positive outlook on challenging life situations and relationships
• Increase in self-esteem and self-compassion
• Enhancement of creative problem-solving abilities
• Greater motivation for lifestyle or behavior changes
• Relief from existential distress
• The potential of having a spiritual or mystical experience

Sessions Types:

• Low-dose sessions may involve mild dissociation, relaxation, mindfulness, lowered defenses, anxiolytic and empathogenic effects, as well as anti-depressant effects.
• Moderate-dose sessions may involve moderate dissociation, out-of-body experiences, and an expansive sense of self.
• High-dose sessions may involve full dissociation from the body and various
  transpersonal and mystical experiences.

What is ketamine?

Though ketamine is an FDA-approved medication for anesthesia, it has also been utilized
successfully “off-label” to manage acute and chronic pain conditions and to treat depression
and other mental health conditions. Off-label use is a common and legal medical practice
where a doctor uses medication to treat a different condition than it was originally intended for.

How does it work?

Ketamine-assisted Therapy (KAT) uses ketamine in combination with ongoing
psychotherapy as a catalyst for psychological growth and healing. So often we get stuck in
our thought or behavior patterns, unable to gain perspective or change. The ketamine
experience is characterized by the relaxation of your typical mindset and defense
mechanisms, allowing you to explore other ways of thinking and feeling. When paired with a
trained facilitator who can help you understand and integrate these insights into your daily
life during and after sessions, KAT can lead to significant psychological growth and shifts in
overall well-being. This approach has been shown to be effective for depression, anxiety,
and PTSD, substance use disorder; with additional benefits being explored for OCD, ADHD,
and postpartum depression.