Ketamine-Assisted Therapy
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a legal psychedelic medication renowned for its rapid antidepressant effects and its application in therapeutic settings. By modulating glutamate, a primary neurotransmitter in the brain, ketamine offers a robust antidepressant impact lasting up to two weeks. When integrated into psychotherapy, ketamine's psychedelic properties, coupled with its antidepressant effects, often enhance therapeutic outcomes and personal development in clients. We have observed that the benefits of ketamine can last beyond the 2-week period when it is integrated with research-based therapy relationships.
The benefits of ketamine are diverse, with its primary advantage being its ability to alleviate depression, including severe cases. Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT) in addressing various challenges such as depression, depression with hypomania, depression with anxiety, shock trauma, developmental trauma, addiction, suicidal ideation, and obsessive-compulsive tendencies.
Ketamine can be administered through various methods. At Sub Rosa, we offer intramuscular (IM) injections for both individual and closed group cohort sessions. We prioritize personalization by conducting dose-finding sessions and tailoring dosage strengths accordingly. Clients undergo screening to ensure they meet criteria for a diagnosable disorder causing functional impairment in the aforementioned areas.
The combination of ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects and the therapeutic support provided by therapy can synergistically improve outcomes for individuals with depression, particularly those with severe symptoms. This integrated approach addresses not only the biochemical aspects of depression but also the psychological and emotional factors, contributing to a comprehensive and effective treatment strategy.
How We Structure Ketamine Sessions:
The KAT process is provided as a series with clear beginning and ending sessions. The process may take anywhere from 6 weeks to 4 months to complete, depending on the decided depth and cadence of sessions.
The series consists of several preparation sessions, followed by KAT sessions that are interspersed with integration sessions. This series-based format is recommended because psychedelic medicine continues to deepen and integrate within us over time. It is our belief that being in continuous KAT sessions would be too much for most people and would deprive them of the needed space for the unfolding integration that happens by simply living life in new ways.
Once clients feel they have integrated the insights from the KAT work into their daily lives, they are invited to return to do future KAT series only if needed. Clients are encouraged to remain in ongoing therapy with their established therapists while doing the KAT series and beyond.
We engage a collaborative approach between professional therapists and medical providers to provide Ketamine-Assisted Therapy services. Please visit our Team Page to read more about our providers.