What is Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)?
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy is an approach utilizing medicine to bring on a non-ordinary state of consciousness that can increase one’s capacity for self-reflection and self-compassion. It offers new perspectives and new relationships within one’s internal system and can facilitate one’s feeling of being connected to something greater than themselves.
While each journey is unique and can be deeply informed by the intentions and processes engaged in before and after the session, some common experiences include:
An “abiding sense of okay-ness”
Increased empathy for oneself and others (including those who they have had difficult relationships with)
A deeper understanding of, and increased capacity to face and heal trauma
A sense of connection to the natural world and a shift in perspective in one’s place therein
Tapping into one’s inner wisdom
How does it work?
First I will refer you to my collaborating prescriber who will assess whether KAP is safe and indicated. If so, you will be prescribed sublingual lozenges for use in my office. The prescriber I work with is then available for additional follow-up as needed and ongoing prescriptions if indicated.
In my office, you will take your medication as prescribed, which will involve allowing the lozenges to dissolve and swishing the medicine for about 15 minutes while it is absorbed. I provide music (which we will discuss) and a relaxing and comfortable space for you to go inward. Journeys can be peaceful or at times more challenging. I will be there to support you and hold a safe space before, during, and after the medicine experience. This work will also be supported by some of the other psychotherapeutic approaches I weave in, such as IFS or EMDR, to deepen your healing and growth. The intention and integration work is an integral component of this process.
I completed training with Psychedelic Therapy Boston and Fluence, and am engaged in ongoing consultation to stay abreast of current issues in the field.
KAP is a newer treatment modality, and although there is a growing body of research to support its healing potential, at this time KAP is still an “off-label” use of Ketamine. As such, please be aware that insurance is unlikely to cover the medicine portion of sessions. You can read more about some of the emerging research here: https://www.kriyainstitute.com/reading/
Offerings
At this time, I am offering individual KAP sessions for current clients and I am accepting referrals for adjunctive KAP therapy clients. Coming soon, I plan to offer groups and KAP retreats. Please email me (alison@dralisonrhodes.com) for more information.