Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

Yes, but the approach is very different. Research shows that ketamine infusions alone can offer temporary symptom reduction, though ongoing maintenance sessions are often required to sustain those benefits.

When ketamine is combined with psychotherapy (KAP), the goal moves beyond temporary relief toward deep, lasting healing. Therapy helps you process, integrate, and apply the insights gained during your ketamine experience.

Medicine opens the window; therapy decides what walks through it.

Without psychotherapy, the brain may default back to old pathways as the neuroplastic state fades. With integration therapy (like IFS or EMDR), clients can leverage this flexible state to overwrite old neural loops with healthier, grounded beliefs.

I am in the room with you throughout your entire session—you will never be left alone. Before the medicine is administered, I will help you in setting an intention and preparing you for the experience.

While the medicine is active, I provide a safe, supportive presence while you rest comfortably in a recliner with an eye mask and music, focusing on your internal journey. As the active effects begin to wear off, we transition into an active therapy session using modalities like Internal Family Systems (IFS) and EMDR to process what came up.

KAP is most effective for individuals who are navigating treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, suicidal ideation, or chronic pain conditions that haven’t responded to traditional interventions.

KAP is often a great fit if you:

• Are seeking to heal root causes rather than simply managing symptoms.
• Have seen minimal improvement from traditional therapy or medications.
• Feel disconnected, “stuck,” or unable to move past recurring patterns.

No. I work in close collaboration with licensed medical providers in Gainesville, FL, who handle all medical evaluations, prescriptions, dosing decisions, and physical administration (via IV infusion, oral lozenges, or other methods).

Medical services are billed separately by and paid directly to the medical provider.

Ketamine acts primarily on glutamate, a key neurotransmitter in the brain that promotes neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to grow new neural connections and form new patterns. Traditional antidepressants (SSRIs) focus on monoamines like serotonin and dopamine, taking weeks to induce subtle downstream shifts.

By temporarily quieting the Default Mode Network (the region of the brain associated with rigid self-talk, rumination, and habitual defense mechanisms), ketamine creates a “window of opportunity.” In this flexible state, therapy can help you untangle deeply rooted trauma, shift persistent negative beliefs, and forge healthier mental pathways much faster than traditional therapy alone.

Medicine opens the window; therapy decides what walks through it.

Without psychotherapy, the brain may default back to old pathways as the neuroplastic state fades. With integration therapy (like IFS and EMDR), clients can leverage this flexible state to overwrite old neural loops with healthier, grounded beliefs.

The reported effects of Ketamine (even without therapy) are rapidly-acting antidepressant and mood-enhancing benefits, often within 1 or 2 hrs after medicine administration and may last up to 2 weeks. These effects are due to Ketamine’s ability to block the brain’s NMDA receptors and stimulate AMPA receptors, which may aid the formation of new synaptic connections and boost neural circuits for emotional regulation.

The neuroplasticity created through ketamine administration promotes synaptic flexibility and aids the restructuring of maladaptive neural pathways. There is a disruption of the brain’s Default Mode Network (DMN), which allows for therapy to modify and improve self-narratives, interrupt ruminative or looping thinking patterns, and reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Rather than simply adjusting everyday neurotransmitters (such as with antidepressant meds), ketamine acts as a catalyst that triggers the rapid release of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). This essential protein serves as fuel for brain repair, actively reversing the structural neural damage caused by chronic stress and depression. Within hours of a session, BDNF stimulates synaptogenesis—the creation of fresh neural connections—which lowers the activity of the brain’s overactive “negative loop” networks and restores cognitive flexibility. The medicine facilitates a critical window of neuroplasticity.

Essentially, ketamine catalyzes a profound ‘neuroplastic window’ in the brain and the release of BDNF stimulates neural growth and new brain connections. Without concurrent integration or therapy, this period of heightened plasticity represents a missed opportunity for sustained therapeutic breakthroughs. During this critical period after ketamine administration, the brain has increased adaptability – a beautiful window for deeper, long-term healing. Additionally, ketamine exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, which may mitigate addictive behaviors by reducing neuroinflammation.

While ketamine is generally safe, certain medical and psychological conditions require extra caution. Uncontrolled high blood pressure, active psychosis, mania, or severe heart conditions may exclude someone from ketamine treatment.

Additionally, certain medications (like high-dose benzodiazepines or lamotrigine) can diminish ketamine’s effectiveness. Our medical partner will complete a thorough health evaluation to ensure ketamine is safe for you before moving forward.

It is helpful to understand that KAP with a therapist vs. receiving Ketamine administration alone is very different. When symptom reduction has occurred through the chemical effects of ketamine only, there is often a need to re-administer ketamine every 20-30 days to keep symptoms minimized. However, most people are able to avoid needing maintenance treatment long-term with KAP. The therapeutic progress is not likely to decrease with time, thus maintenance ketamine treatments are often unnecessary.

Many patients reach sub-clinical levels of distress after 4-10 KAP sessions spaced over several weeks, interspersed with integration therapy. We will continuously evaluate your progress and tailor the treatment plan to your unique needs. Many patients will not need ongoing therapy afterwards, however some individuals benefit from an occasional KAP session within the following year to continue therapeutic progress.

For chronic pain treatment, it is more difficult to keep baseline pain levels down and flare-ups without maintenance infusions ongoing. The majority of patients with chronic pain will do sessions every 30-90 days to keep the baseline pain levels reduced.

Not necessarily. Many clients safely continue their standard psychiatric medications (such as SSRIs or SNRIs) during KAP. However, some medications (i.e. stimulant medications, benzodiazepines, and medications like Lamictal) may need to be adjusted or temporarily paused under medical supervision to ensure maximum safety and efficacy.

Do not change or stop any medication without consulting your prescribing physician.

**Do not alter or stop taking your medications without consulting your prescribing doctor first.

Before your first medicine session, we will meet for two or more preparation sessions. During this time, we will gather your history, map out focus areas, set intentions, and emotionally prepare you for the journey ahead.

Preparation builds a foundation of trust, helps you develop internal grounding tools, and cultivates a mindset of openness. Research shows that thorough preparation significantly deepens the meaning and benefit of the experience.

Yes. You will need a support person to provide transportation assistance, as you should not drive for the rest of the day after a KAP session. The support person agrees to assist you in obtaining safe transportation, discourage you from driving following ketamine administration, and notify the Therapist if you appear unsafe. The support person is not expected to remain physically present during the KAP session unless specifically agreed upon.

Please do not rely on Uber, Lyft, or any similar service. I must have the name and phone number of the person picking you up and a signed Release of Information in case I need to have them arrive earlier or later.

If your session is held at a medical clinic, the medicine and therapy process will take approximately 2-3 hours. The ketamine infusion itself is usually 35-50 minutes and administered by the licensed medical provider. As your therapist, I will be with you beforehand and also throughout your entire time of the IV infusion. I will help you set goals for the session, provide support during the journey, and provide therapeutic processing and integration after the medicine wears off.

• Fasting: Refrain from eating solid foods for at least 4 hours before your session (and avoid liquids 2 hours prior) to prevent nausea.
• Mindset: Spend the morning resting, journaling, or engaging in quiet activities. Avoid heavy media consumption or stressful tasks.
• Comfort: Wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring any personal comfort items (like a warm blanket or a meaningful token).
• Bring an eye mask if you prefer to use your own
• Do not consume alcohol for 2 days before and 2 days after a KAP session.
• Avoid caffeine 6 hours prior to ketamine administration
• It is best to be hydrated but stop drinking at least 2 hours prior to administration
• Go to bathroom immedediately before ketamine administration

No two ketamine journeys are identical. Most people experience a dream-like, expanded state of consciousness while remaining gently aware of their surroundings and my presence in the room. You may observe memories, visual landscapes, emotions, or body sensations from a newly grounded perspective.

Some sessions bring up profound emotional releases or deep insights; others bring a quiet sense of calm and relief. If distressing material arises, I will help you to be open and curious as these are opportunities for deep emotional processing and lasting change.

During and after the session, you may experience new perceptions and insight to the various areas where you have felt stuck. Whatever arises, I am there to guide you with curiosity and care.

Common, short-term side effects during or immediately after a session may include mild dizziness, altered spatial perception, slight nausea, elevated blood pressure, or a floating sensation. These typically fade quickly as the medicine leaves your system, and the medical provider can offer anti-nausea medication if needed. Most patients who do not eat for 2-4 hours prior to the session, and keep their eyes closed/use an eye mask during the session, do not experience any nausea.