What to Expect From Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

If you’re reading this post, it’s safe to assume that you’re interested in learning more about a psychedelic lozenge that can help you recover from trauma, depression, and more. In Part 1, I talked about the fundamentals of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). Here, we’ll get into the nuts-and-bolts of what your KAP sessions would be like.  

Things begin, of course, with you and your therapist getting to know each other. This involves an assessment and some education about the KAP procedures. If you and your therapist are ready, you’ll be referred to a medical provider who will interview you about your symptoms and history, and can give you a prescription for ketamine. From there, you will be ready for the next phase: a series of three-hour ketamine sessions with integration sessions scheduled in between.  

Your Ketamine Sessions 

After you’ve set your intentions and checked your vitals, the next step is to get you comfortable before taking the ketamine. If you struggle with anxiety, this may involve some grounding exercises to get you into the right mindset. Otherwise, it’s pretty basic. You choose from tools like music, pillows, and eye masks and get into the position that feels right for you. People often like to recline on their couch or bed. 

At this point, you and your therapist will discuss your post-treatment needs. What do you want to happen as the ketamine wears off? You might prefer having some space. Perhaps you’re someone who will be ready to talk all about it right away. Whatever works for you, your therapist will accommodate it. 

So, you’re comfortable, and you have a plan for later. That’s when you administer your ketamine — most commonly in the form of lozenges. The trance-like state described in Part 1 usually lasts from 40 to 60 minutes. You can expect feelings and sensations like: 

• You will probably feel some degree of being “disconnected from your body” 

• Your thoughts and emotions may become heightened or more accessible 

• You may notice your motor skills are not as sharp as usual 

• The experience has been described as “an inward journey.”  

At the end of the session, you’ll check your vitals again. It’s required that you have someone with you to help you move around afterwards, because you’ll probably feel dizzy or drowsy for a while.  

Your Integration Sessions 

Your ketamine session will likely be unlike anything else you’ve ever experienced. That’s why your therapist will schedule integration sessions after every ketamine session. It’s a chance to talk about what you felt, how it changed you, and how you can integrate all this into your everyday life. 

These are unscripted discussions, but you will probably be given suggestions on how to carry the KAP vibe into your life. These might include meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, journaling, and creative expression. 

In Between Sessions 

Your therapist will be indispensable, but this process also calls on you to do your part when you’re not in either a ketamine or integration session. This involves setting aside time to contemplate and process what you feel and how this impacts your thought process. Engaging in KAP doesn’t mean you will not have negative thoughts and difficult moments. But, if you embrace and participate in the healing, it can mean you are better able to regulate your emotions when a crisis arises. 

KAP can be a positive, life-changing experience if you commit to the treatment. You have always known deep down what you want and what you need. KAP guides you to be more strongly in touch with the inherent wisdom that has been obscured through life’s ups and downs.  

Talk to a Therapist About Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy 

A KAP therapist has a rare blend of skills. They have ketamine training, of course. But, also, they are psychotherapists with a vast body of knowledge about the mental health conditions that brought you to try ketamine in the first place. You can tap into these resources in the name of healing, recovering, and thriving again. Reach out if you want to learn more about Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy.