Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy: Beyond Traditional Treatment

You’ve done the work. You’ve tried traditional treatments. You’ve shown courage and commitment on your mental health journey. Yet depression, anxiety, or trauma continue to impact your daily life, leaving you searching for something that will truly make a difference. If you’re experiencing treatment-resistant conditions, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) may offer the relief you’re seeking.

What Is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a powerful combination of ketamine and therapeutic guidance, designed to help you access deeper levels of healing. Unlike traditional approaches, KAP blends the neurobiological effects of ketamine with the support of specialized therapy, creating a space where transformative insights and emotional processing can unfold.

Ketamine works differently from traditional medications. While conventional antidepressants typically require weeks to take effect, ketamine can often provide relief within hours or days. The calm, mild dissociation, and increased plasticity created by the biological effect of ketamine on the brain creates an opportunity to process emotional material that might otherwise remain stuck.

Is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Right for You?

You might be a good candidate for KAP if:

• Traditional antidepressants haven’t provided sufficient relief
• You’re dealing with treatment-resistant depression
• Anxiety keeps you locked in patterns you can’t seem to break
• Past trauma continues to impact your daily life
• You’re emotionally stuck and ready for deep, transformative work

What You Can Expect From Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Before your first session, we’ll conduct a thorough consultation to ensure that KAP is the right fit for you. During this time, we’ll do a comprehensive medical and psychological evaluation, discuss your goals and concerns, and provide a clear explanation of what to expect. We also offer personalized guidance to help you prepare for your sessions, ensuring you feel confident and supported every step of the way.

A typical session unfolds in three carefully structured phases:

1. Preparation (15-30 minutes)

• Getting comfortable in a private, calm setting
• Setting intentions with your therapist
• Final safety checks and monitoring setup

2. The Medicine Experience (about 1  hour)

• Ketamine administration through the most appropriate method for you (a tablet or injection)
• Settling in with music, eyeshades, and comfortable seating
• A licensed clinician monitoring you the entire time to ensure your safety, comfort and progress. Possible verbal processing/therapy part of the time. 

3. Integration (30–45 minutes)

• Gentle transition back to normal awareness
• Initial processing of insights and experiences

After Your Session

We will guide you through processing the insights gained from your experience and help you develop strategies to maintain positive changes. Together, we’ll connect your insights to everyday challenges and opportunities, and plan the next steps in your healing journey, ensuring you continue to move forward with confidence and clarity.

What Does a Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Session Feel Like?

Each person’s experience with KAP is unique and personal. You might experience:

• A sense of distance from everyday concerns
• Increased openness to feelings and insights
• Fresh perspectives on old patterns
• A deepened sense of connection to yourself or something larger
• Temporary altered perception and consciousness
• A deep calm and relaxation
• Feeling more positive and a sense of empowerment to take on addressing issues in your life

Throughout the entire experience, you are held in a space of safety and support, with your therapist present to guide and ground you.

The Science Behind How Ketamine Supports Healing

Ketamine works through unique neurobiological pathways that set it apart from conventional medications. Research shows it can promote neuroplasticity, helping your brain form new connections and adapt more easily. This process supports breaking through rigid thought patterns and can help reduce neuroinflammation, which may be contributing to your depression. Most importantly, it can offer rapid relief when other treatments haven’t been as effective.

Our Commitment to Your Well-Being

KAP is conducted in a controlled medical setting where your safety and well-being are our top priorities. Throughout the process, we take several precautions to ensure you feel supported and secure. We follow safety protocols, so you can feel confident that you’re in a safe and caring environment, allowing you to focus fully on your healing journey.

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is a process rather than one-and-done treatment. Most individuals benefit from a series of sessions, typically structured as:

• Initial series consisting of 4–8 sessions over 2–3 months
• Maintenance sessions tailored to your unique needs
• Regular integration therapy between ketamine sessions

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy isn’t a universal solution, but for many who have felt stuck in their healing process, it can be a powerful tool for transformation.

If you’re ready to explore whether KAP might support your journey toward mental wellness, reach out to our team at 212.621.7770 or info@mindbody7.com to determine if this approach aligns with your path to lasting resilience and wellbeing.

– Reviewed by Dr. Lewis