Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

Ketamine works via multiple mechanisms. It increases neuroplasticity in the brain by temporarily disabling the default mode network. It reduces rigid thinking allowing old negative patterns to be broken and new healthier ones to emerge.

Research has found that ketamine is helpful for depression, anxiety, pain, PTSD and a variety of existential issues. Ketamine is a rapid acting antidepressant and it has shown very good results in treatment resistant depression (TRD) where treatment failure has occurred with multiple drug trials. It is also used in cases of acute suicidality where a fast acting intervention is needed.

Ketamine is very safe. It is used in children as a safe and effective anesthetic, with a very low risk of dangerous side effects associated with other anesthetics. It is also used in battlefield situations where advanced life support is not available. The doses used in KAP are well below anesthetic doses.

Ketamine can be legally prescribed in the USA by doctors and nurse practitioners.

Ketamine psychotherapy at the AIMS Institute consists of three preparatory appointments, an in clinic three hour medicine journey, and an integration session. The first two appointments consist of a medical evaluation and a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether you are a candidate for KAP. During these appointments we will do an in depth review of your medical and psychiatric history, explain the process and answer any questions you may have about the treatment. I may order lab tests if indicated and make recommendations for diet, lifestyle or nutraceuticals that will help create the conditions for health and optimize your KAP therapy. If you are a candidate and would like to pursue KAP we will schedule you for a preparatory session where we will discuss your intentions and goals and we will also schedule your medicine session where you will come to the clinic for a three hour treatment session. We usually recommend a series of 3-6 ketamine treatments spaced 1-4 weeks apart. If you are in WA or will be visiting WA state you can contact the AIMS Institute to schedule a consultation with me.

My approach to KAP involves treating the whole person. I will work with you on nutrition and lifestyle changes that will help create favorable conditions for healing. These may involve exercise, dietary changes, treating gut microbiome imbalances. I will also screen and test for nutritional deficiencies and genetic SNPs as needed that may be contributing to your mental health issues. By identifying and treating these underlying factors we can increase the efficacy and long term success of your ketamine psychotherapy. You will continue taking any medications you normally take for your mental health throughout the process, although it may be necessary to not take certain medications on the day of your KAP medicine session.