Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
What is ketamine therapy?
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) has been identified as a “breakthrough treatment” by the FDA, with the potential to provide rapid and lasting relief for a range of mental health conditions. Ketamine is a medication that has been widely used in medicine for anesthesia and pain for decades, but its potential to facilitate significant symptom reduction in a host of mental health concerns represents a more recent revolution in the field of psychiatry.
Generally speaking, ketamine therapy is the use of the medicine, ketamine, to facilitate improvements in mental health concerns, including symptom reduction, less rigid thinking, and greater sense of well-being.
What’s the difference between ketamine treatments?
Not all ketamine treatments are equal.
Although many medical and mental health clinics offer ketamine treatment, it’s important to understand differences among treatments and providers and what this means for your well-being.
When addressing mental health concerns and personal growth, ketamine is best considered as a catalyst for a therapeutic process in which individuals are able to develop greater awareness and perspective about their lives and challenges.
If the medication is provided as a stand alone treatment without focused integration therapy and coping skills as part of a tailored mental health treatment plan, individuals are less likely to experience comprehensive and sustainable relief.
At Balance Health & Healing, we provide Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), the most comprehensive ketamine treatment available for mental health concerns and personal growth.
What is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?
At Balance Health & Healing, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) includes a combination of thorough medical and psychological assessment by KAP-trained providers, ketamine-dosing sessions, specialized integration psychotherapy sessions, and focused mindfulness training and skill-building.
This comprehensive treatment approach leverages the specific neuroplastic and antidepressant effects of the medication, resulting in significant symptom improvement that proves sustainable over time when the full treatment protocol is followed.
Although there’s been an increase in clinics that administer ketamine, many of them lack attention to the importance of integrating the medicine as part of a comprehensive treatment approach designed to address specific mental health concerns. Ketamine is not a magic bullet and should not be considered a stand alone treatment for mental health concerns.
Ketamine Therapy FAQ
Why should I consider ketamine therapy?
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) can be very helpful for several mental health concerns. If you’ve had difficulty making progress in traditional talk therapy, struggle to consistently engage coping skills, or feel overwhelmed by intrusive symptoms on a regular basis, KAP can be an excellent treatment option to consider.
How effective is ketamine therapy?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is very effective in addressing a variety of presenting mental health concerns. Several studies indicate that ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) leads to a statistically significant reduction of depressive symptoms in between 60-70% of individuals.
How is ketamine therapy administered?
Route of administration (ROA) is based on diagnosis, presenting concerns, treatment goals, and medical status.
Common ROA include:
Intramuscular (IM)
Intravenous (IV)
Oral (lozenge)
Nasal (Spravato spray)
What is ketamine therapy good for?
KAP Can Be Beneficial for Many Mental Health Concerns, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Eating Disorders
- Treatment-Resistant Depression
- PTSD and Trauma
- OCD
- Postpartum Depression
- Substance Use Disorders
- Chronic Pain
- Other Mood Disorders
What should I expect with ketamine therapy?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) includes three treatment components:
1) Assessment and preparation
2) ketamine dosing
3) Integration
What do I do during ketamine therapy?
Set and Setting. Your mindset about dosing prepares you for a meaningful experience that can be beneficial to you throughout ketamine-assisted psychotherapy treatment and beyond. Prior to dosing, our team will help you manage expectations, complete paced breathing exercises, and discuss your intention for the experience.
What should I do after ketamine therapy?
Reorientation after Dosing. After you’ve completed your dosing experience, take time to reorient. There is no rush. Once you feel ready, you are invited to take notes in a journal or notebook, or ask your support person to take notes for you. Once mobile, walk with support and use elevators instead of stairs. Be sure to drink plenty of water and introduce food as you feel ready. Clear your schedule on dosing days, and once home, rest, engage in self-care activities, and spend time with supportive loved ones.
How many sessions are typical with ketamine therapy?
The length of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy varies greatly. Our team tailors treatment to your specific needs, including presenting concerns, severity and duration of symptoms, responsiveness, and previous treatments. Typically, ketamine assisted psychotherapy includes approximately 6 dosing sessions and 6 integration sessions during a 3 – 8 week period.
What should I look for when starting ketamine therapy?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy includes a combination of thorough medical and psychological assessment by KAP-trained providers, ketamine-dosing sessions, specialized integration psychotherapy sessions, and focused mindfulness training and skill-building. This comprehensive treatment approach leverages the specific neuroplastic and antidepressant effects of the medication, resulting in significant symptom improvement that proves sustainable over time when the full treatment protocol is followed.
How does ketamine therapy work?
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy presents a promising approach to healing. This innovative therapy combines the use of ketamine, integration-focused talk therapy, and robust coping skills to create a safe and supportive environment for individuals seeking lasting healing.
How is ketamine used in mental health treatment?
There are three generally accepted uses of ketamine in psychiatry.
Psychedelic ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP)
Psycholytic ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP)
Psychiatric ketamine or Spravato
How safe is ketamine therapy?
Ketamine has been widely used in medicine for anesthesia and pain for decades, but its potential to facilitate significant symptom reduction in a host of mental health concerns represents a more recent revolution in the field of psychiatry.
Is ketamine therapy helpful for eating disorders?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) can be very helpful for addressing eating disorders. Findings include the following outcomes:
- Increased self-regulation and emotion-processing skills
- Increased self-efficacy and confidence in ability to address challenges
- Remission or partial remission of eating disorder symptoms
- Significant decrease in compulsive behaviors
- Elimination or reduction of depressive symptoms and suicidality
- Complete and sustained remission of eating disorder symptoms
- Clinically meaningful changes in depression
- Modest changes in anxiety and disordered eating
- Reduced obsessive-compulsive tendencies
- Weight restoration and weight maintenance
- Increased in food intake and food variety
- Less anxiety and rumination related to eating and body image
How do I prepare for ketamine therapy?
In preparation for dosing sessions, you must fast for 6 hours (food) and 2 hours (clear liquids) prior to the session. You must have an adult support person drive you home from your dosing session appointments, and you may not drive the remainder of the day. Please wear comfortable clothes and bring a phone with the Spotify app, headphones, an eye mask, a journal or notebook, and comfort items, such as a blanket or pillow.
What does ketamine therapy feel like?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is very effective in addressing a variety of presenting concerns. It includes rapid onset, rapid metabolism, and an excellent safety profile. Ketamine dosing is often experienced as a dreamlike state that may include an out of body experience. During dosing, individuals may experience a sensation of surrender, formlesness, interconnectedness, love, humility, awe, gratitude, and union with spirituality or higher power.
How do I get the most out of ketamine therapy?
KAP Integration. Integration therapy sessions are scheduled 1 – 3 days after dosing sessions in addition to being conducted during dosing sessions, and utilize several treatment modalities designed to help you integrate your dosing experience relative to your treatment goals and establish coping skills that leverage the positive effects of the medicine. If you currently work with other mental health providers, please inform them of your KAP treatment and continue meeting with them regularly.
How do I decide if ketamine therapy is good for me?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy can be helpful for a range of mental health concerns and for those with a desire for greater insight and meaningful connection in their lives. If you struggle with mental health concerns and have had difficulty progressing with medication or therapy, you may want to consider how ketamine-assisted psychotherapy could help you gain traction on your desired goals.
How much does ketamine therapy cost?
Comprehensive ketamine-assisted psychotherapy includes treatment by medical providers, therapists, and other specialists. As a short-term treatment, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is very reasonably priced, especially when you consider the rapid results and durable changes. Although ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is short-term, it is very intensive both in terms of time commitment, specialized care, and interventions. We are committed to providing competitive pricing while ensuring excellent care that does not cut corners on safety, assessment, or skill-building.
How do I start ketamine therapy?
To learn more about ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, contact our team here or by calling 801.361.8589. We are happy to discuss treatment options with you. We offer free 15-minute consultations. Call us to find a time.
We are passionate about helping individuals reclaim joy and have dedicated our careers to this goal. Our clinic has been providing highly specialized mental health treatment for almost a decade. We have an impeccable reputation for providing excellent evidence-based treatment to individuals facing life’s toughest challenges and are excited to bring ketamine-assisted psychotherapy to our community.
At Balance Health and Healing, our mission is simple yet profound: to empower individuals to rediscover joy and well-being. We have dedicated our careers to specialized mental health treatment. Our clinic has earned an impeccable reputation for delivering evidence-based treatment to those navigating life’s toughest challenges.
Now, we’re thrilled to introduce ketamine-assisted psychotherapy to our community. This revolutionary approach combines the power of ketamine with the expertise of our highly specialized multidisciplinary team.
Why choose Balance Health & Healing
Purpose-driven Experts
Our team is committed to helping you heal and we’ve dedicated ourselves to this pursuit through extensive education, expertise, and experience
Proven Excellence
Balance Health and Healing has consistently provided exceptional mental health treatment. Our evidence-based approach sets the foundation for transformative healing journeys
Tailored Care
Our multidisciplinary team, including KAP-trained physicians, psychologists, nurse practitioners, and therapists, collaborates to create a personalized treatment protocol aligned with your unique needs and aspirations
Collaboration
Your questions and concerns matter to us. We invite you to reach out with any inquiries about KAP or our clinic. Our dedicated team is here to support you every step of the way and we work closely with other treatment providers and family members