What is ketamine therapy?
Ketamine therapy is a form of psychedelic assisted psychotherapy. “Psychedelic,” formed from the Greek words “psyche” and “delien” (clarity), literally means: to make clear the psyche. Psychedelic experiences have therapeutic benefit in their ability to reveal what we cannot commonly see or understand about ourselves.
In a ketamine therapy session, you will have the opportunity to take psychedelic medicine in a supportive environment with a trained healing professional - the therapist. This allows for the opportunity to capitalize on and integrate the experiences you have during your psychedelic journey.
Having the psychedelic experience and the therapy is what leads to lasting change and improvement in your symptoms.
What is ketamine?
Ketamine was first approved by the FDA as an anesthetic. When taken at the right dose, ketamine induces a psychedelic experience. In addition, on a bio-chemical level, ketamine is known to do some of the following:
Increase neuroplasticity, which means making the brain more malleable to change. Because of this, ketamine therapy can be beneficial if you are hoping to make changes in your mental and physical habits. After ketamine therapy is the best and easiest time to start new routines.
Decrease default mode network (DMN) activity. The DMN is responsible for repetitive inner monologues, rumination on the past, and plans for the future. With the DMN quieted down, many people experience novel thoughts and revelation otherwise not accessible behind the noise.
Heal the brain on a structural, cellular level by supporting the growth of new neurons and reducing inflammation
What will a session be like?
Ketamine sessions will take place with me in the sunny, calming office at A Safe Place Therapy in Pasadena. You will take the ketamine orally, using a lozenge which will be prescribed to you via our medical provider.
Before you take the medicine, I will offer an eyeshade and headphones so you can be immersed in your experience. While you are in the peak of the experience, your focus will likely be inward, but I will be there the whole time. Many people report that the experience on ketamine is like a dream.
When you come out of the experience, I will be there to help you process what came up.
FAQs
AM I A GOOD FIT FOR KETAMINE THERAPY?Ketamine is most commonly used in treating depression. However, some evidence indicates benefits with the following conditions as well: anxiety, PTSD, suicidality, OCD, substance use, and bipolar disorder. To explore if you may be a good fit, please reach out for a consult.
How LONG WILL EACH SESSION BE?Ketamine therapy “dosing” sessions (when you take the medicine) are 3 hours long. This allows for time to prepare before the session, experience an hour-long journey, and integrate after the session with ease.
HOW MUCH DOES KETAMINE THERAPY COST?My hourly rate is $175, and sessions will be billed as such. Sliding scale options are available. The amount of ketamine therapy sessions needed will be determined on a case by case basis. For this reason, treatment costs can vary. Please reach out for more info.
