Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy in Austin, TX

Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic. It is believed to work by temporarily blocking certain brain receptors, which can produce a sense of detachment from reality. This can allow patients to more easily explore their inner experiences and gain insights into their behaviors and emotions. Some research suggests that ketamine promotes neuralplasticity, thought to be an important mechanism of the healing process. 

Ketamine causes glutamate to bind to AMPA receptors which releases Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor [BDNF] in parts of the brain responsible for mood regulation, memory, executive functioning (“brain fertilizer”); an increased number of dendritic spines and mature dendrites.

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is a type of psychotherapy that uses ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, as an adjunct to therapy. The drug is administered under the guidance of a licensed therapist, who helps the patient explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in a safe and supportive environment.

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is often used to treat depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health conditions. The therapy is typically administered over several sessions, with the patient reclining in a comfortable position while the therapist guides them through their thoughts and emotions.

By utilizing a multi-modal approach, combining ketamine-assisted psychotherapy with other therapies can provide additional benefits, such as helping individuals to develop new coping skills, addressing underlying thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to their mental health condition, and improving overall emotional regulation and well-being.

Ketamine’s effects on the brain:

• Enhanced neuroplasticity (ability to form new brain connections)

• Intrinsic antidepressant response

• Critical period allows for higher responsiveness to treatment

• Dissociation via Default Mode Network effects

The benefits of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may include:

• Rapid relief of symptoms: Unlike traditional psychotherapy, which can take weeks or even months to produce noticeable improvements, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may provide relief from symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions within hours or days.

• Increased self-awareness: Ketamine can produce a state of dissociation, which can help patients gain insights into their emotions, behaviors, and patterns of thought.

• Enhanced therapeutic alliance: The close guidance and support of a trained therapist during the therapy sessions can help patients feel heard, validated, and supported, which can strengthen the therapeutic alliance and improve treatment outcomes.

• Long-lasting effects: Studies suggest that the effects of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may last for several weeks or even months after the therapy sessions have ended.

• Additionally, KAP often helps individuals to develop new coping skills, addressing underlying thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to their mental health condition, and improving overall emotional regulation and well-being.

• Potential for lower doses and reduced side effects: Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may be able to achieve similar results with lower doses of ketamine than those used in traditional anesthesia, which can reduce the risk of negative side effects such as nausea and vomiting.

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy has shown promising results in the treatment of various mental health conditions and experiences, including:

• Treatment-resistant Depression

• Anxiety Disorders, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder

• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Grief and Loss

• Chronic Pain

• Substance Use Disorders, including alcohol and opioid addiction

• Eating Disorders, such as Anorexia and Bulimia

• Bipolar Disorder

• Personality Disorders, such as Borderline Personality Disorder

• Perfectionism

• Stuckness and Aloneness

• Unhealthy patterns of attachment

*It is important to note that while ketamine-assisted psychotherapy has shown promising results in the treatment of these conditions, it is not a one-size-fits-all treatment and may not be effective for everyone. It is crucial to work with a qualified and experienced ketamine-assisted psychotherapist to determine if this treatment is appropriate for an individual's specific needs and circumstances.*

Those that have…

• Uncontrolled hypertension/ high blood pressure

• Unstable cardiovascular disease

• An unstable medical condition

• Active ketamine abuse or dependence

• Acute mania/ mixed state

• A history of primary psychotic disorders

• A ketamine allergy

• Who are pregnant

Ketamine might be an option even if you have…

• Glaucoma

• Thyroid disease

• A history of abuse or dependance

• Active suicidal ideation requiring inpatient hospitalization

• Active substance use disorder

• A personality disorder

When administered in a therapeutic setting by trained professionals, ketamine therapy is considered a safe and effective option for treatment for people seeking relief for things like treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other emotional challenges.

Ketamine has been used in medical settings since the 1960’s and its safety profile is well-established when dosing. monitoring, and screening is done professionally and responsibly.

If you are interested in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, we start talking about safety from the start. Not only is physical safety incredibly important, but so is your emotional and psychological safety. I make sure that when talking about safety and consent, there are no misunderstandings or miscommunications. Building trust and rapport between the client, therapist, and medical professional is key.