What is Ketamine-Assisted Therapy? A Guide to Ketamine Therapy in California.
What is Ketamine-Assisted Therapy and How Can It Help You?
Psychotherapy can be a transformative — and sometimes life-saving — process for many people struggling with their mental health. But for others, talk therapy alone isn’t quite enough to provide lasting healing from their symptoms. That’s where alternative modalities like ketamine-assisted psychotherapy can help.
You may have heard of ketamine. It’s been used in medical settings for decades. But more recently, ketamine has made an impact as a treatment to enhance the psychotherapy experience. In fact, ketamine therapy is the only psychedelic therapy that’s available legally in California today.
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) has gained popularity for its ability to provide hope and lasting healing to those struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance dependence.
At The Holistic Counseling Center, we’re proud to offer ketamine therapy at our office in El Dorado Hills as well as online within the state of California.
So how does ketamine-assisted psychotherapy work? And what does it feel like? Read on for everything you need to know about this groundbreaking modality!
Understanding Ketamine: What is Ketamine and How is it Used in Therapy?
Let’s start with the basics. Ketamine is a medication that was originally developed as an anesthetic, but it turns out it has a lot more to offer. Unlike conventional medications, ketamine targets specific brain receptors to create significant changes in mood, perception, and cognition. These effects have made it the first legally available psychedelic therapy in California, known for its ability to uplift treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance dependence.
How Does Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Work?
Ketamine-assisted therapy seamlessly integrates the biochemical benefits of ketamine with the therapeutic process. Numerous studies show that ketamine can act as a fast-acting antidepressant and mood booster. By blocking NMDA receptors and stimulating AMPA receptors, ketamine enhances neuroplasticity, allowing for profound introspection and emotional processing.
This altered state of consciousness can unearth deep-seated feelings, along with deep introspection and self-reflection, which can then be addressed through psychotherapy in a safe and supportive environment.
Essentially, ketamine helps turn down the volume of the mind, so you can access the wisdom of the body.
How do I Get Started With Ketamine Therapy?
Getting started with ketamine therapy involves finding a therapist, getting a medical evaluation and prescription from a doctor, and then beginning your ketamine treatment. Here are the steps involved:
Schedule a Consultation Call
Here at The Holistic Counseling Center, we begin with a free consultation call to make sure ketamine therapy is a suitable treatment option for you. If it’s a fit, we’ll pair you with one of our incredible therapists who will be your guide through each step of your healing journey.Start Psychotherapy
You’ll begin the psychotherapy process to assess your mental health history, explore your goals, and design a treatment plan. You’ll have no fewer than three preparation sessions to form a relationship with your therapist and set intentions for your therapy.Medical Evaluation
You’ll need to meet with a doctor for a medical evaluation. We partner with Journey Clinical for ketamine evaluations. They’ll determine whether you’re a good fit for ketamine therapy, and if you’re approved, the medication will be delivered straight to your door.Have Your First Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Session!
You will work with one of our dedicated ketamine therapists for your ketamine sessions.Integration
You will meet with your therapist to process and integrate the ketamine experience. Integrating your ketamine therapy experiences is critical to help you process your experience, and gain the maximum benefits from your ketamine therapy. Integration sessions happen 1-2 days after your ketamine therapy session.
Curious about Ketamine Therapy?
Book a free consultation call to learn more.
What Happens During a Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Session?
Each session lasts around two and a half hours. You’ll spend your session lying down in a comfortable position and wearing an eye mask. If you’re having your session in our office, we have a dedicated journey room set up to help you feel relaxed and at ease. And if you’re having your session at home, we’ll guide you through creating the perfect set and setting at home.
During your ketamine-assisted psychotherapy session, your therapist works with you to facilitate a therapeutic experience while you’re under the influence of ketamine. Music may be used to help guide your experience, and your therapist will help you explore your unconscious thoughts and feelings.
The day after your session, your therapist will help you process the experiences you had under the influence of ketamine. They’ll continue to guide you and work with you in follow-up sessions to integrate the insights and experience into your daily life.
What Does Ketamine Therapy Feel Like?
Wondering how you might feel on ketamine? Most people find that they feel pleasant feelings of relaxation. You’ll likely feel disconnected from your thinking mind and your body, and you might have difficulty speaking and experience reduced muscle function. Some people also gain a sense of heightened sensory awareness.
Most people find that negative thinking quiets down during and after their sessions, and experience a peaceful ease in being less connected to the incessant 'noise' of their ego mind.
You can think of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy as a mental time-out from negative thought patterns.
If you’re apprehensive about how you’ll feel during ketamine therapy, remember that the effects you’ll feel are short-lived — usually only lasting around 45 minutes. And your therapist will be there to support you each step of the way.
What are the Benefits of Ketamine-Assisted Therapy?
The potential benefits of ketamine therapy extend beyond symptom relief. Many patients report a significant reduction in anxiety and depression, a decrease in traumatic stress symptoms, and a newfound capacity for self-compassion and self-love. Additionally, ketamine therapy can deepen your spiritual connection, reduce dependency on addictive substances, and foster a sense of renewal and healing.
Some of the reported benefits associated with ketamine therapy include:
Symptom Relief
Many clients experience significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms within hours of a session.Enhanced Neuroplasticity
Promotes the brain's adaptive capacity, fostering new, healthier thought patterns and emotional responses.Reduction in Suicidal and Self-Harming Thoughts
Ketamine has shown promising results in reducing suicidal ideation and self-harming behavior.Increased Self-Awareness
The altered state of consciousness allows for deep introspection, self-reflection, and a greater understanding of one's internal world.Improved Mood
Ketamine is known to act as a fast-acting antidepressant and mood booster.Deep Emotional Processing
Facilitates a heightened state of introspection and self-awareness, allowing for the resolution of deep-seated emotional issues.Reduced Substance Dependence
Helps to diminish cravings and dependency on addictive substances, supporting long-term recovery.Spiritual and Personal Growth
Encourages profound self-compassion, self-love, and a deeper connection to your spiritual path.Long-Term Healing
Provides lasting benefits when integrated with ongoing psychotherapy, enhancing overall mental and emotional well-being.Pain Reduction
Has been shown to provide relief for chronic pain conditions.
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy can help you heal from the past and step into the next best version of yourself.
Is Ketamine Therapy Safe? Understanding the Risks and Side Effects
Safety is paramount in ketamine therapy. Conducted under the supervision of qualified professionals, ketamine therapy is generally safe, though it may involve mild side effects like nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion. These side effects are most often mild and fade after the duration of your treatment. At The Holistic Counseling Center, we opt to use ketamine lozenges since they offer the benefit of reduced side effects.
We ensure your safety by partnering with Journey Clinical for thorough medical screenings, blood pressure monitoring before sessions, and ensuring you to have a trusted chaperone for remote and self-guided sessions.
Ketamine Therapy in California
Feeling like ketamine therapy could be a good fit for you? You’re in the right place! At The Holistic Counseling Center, we believe in the transformative power of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. We’ve seen firsthand the positive and profound impact that this treatment can have on the lives of our clients, and would love to support you.
Our team of qualified therapists is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care in a safe and supportive environment. We would be honored to support you on your healing journey and help you find relief from lingering symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance dependance.
We are currently accepting new clients, and work with individuals across California and in-person in El Dorado Hills.
If you’re ready to explore ketamine therapy, schedule your no-cost consultation call to begin.
About the author
Kim Burris, LMFT is a licensed holistic psychotherapist, founder of The Holistic Counseling Center, and author of ‘The First 90 Days After Birth.’
She honors the mind, body, spirit connection and offers evidence-based psychotherapy with a heart centered approach that helps people find relief from anxiety and self-sabotage so they can live life with more joy, freedom and ease.
Kim and her team currently offer holistic counseling to individuals in California. Click HERE to book a no-cost consultation call.
