As a psychedelic medicine and dissociative anesthetic, Ketamine can offer access to expanded states of consciousness, new ways of looking at life, and a release from anxieties. At appropriate dosages, this relaxation and openness to new ways of looking at things can facilitate psychotherapy. At the same time, Ketamine has the potential to relieve depression and cause growth of neuronal pathways in the brain, a term commonly known as neuroplasticity. Psychotherapy offers the chance to work within this window of neuroplasticity , when the brain may be more flexible and open to change.

Psychotherapists with specialized training in KAP know how to support your inner healer in helping you to make desired changes, and how to create a safe and healing environment during a Ketamine treatment session. Used together, these two treatments may work far more rapidly than either one alone.

Ketamine acts to enhance healing in the brain through multiple pathways. One is through the NMDA receptors in the brain, where it increases the activity of a neurotransmitter called glutamate. This can elevate your mood, decrease anxiety, and assist in changing patterns of thought.

It has been shown that Ketamine, even after the first dose, helps form new connections between neurons, or nerve cells, in the brain. These new pathways increase neuroplasticity, or the ability of the brain to learn, grow, and develop new patterns of thought. New connections in the brain can allow for healing and change to take place, especially when supported by a trained psychotherapist.

If you are interested in learning more, or reading some of the science behind this treatment, see our Resources section.

We are happy to work with your current therapist or other providers to coordinate treatment or explain how KAP works. We find that having an ongoing relationship with a therapist can be very helpful during and after your KAP treatment. Please ask us during your intake process about how we might work with your providers.

Studies done with psilocybin (psychedelic mushrooms) have shown that this medicine can be very helpful to people who are coming to terms with a terminal diagnosis or life-threatening illness. It can help people feel a greater sense of peace, less fear of death, and reduced anxiety as they take this journey. However, psilocybin is not yet legal for general use in medical practice. While similar studies have not yet been done with ketamine, there is reason to believe that the psychedelic effects of ketamine can offer similar benefits.

The experience of Ketamine varies from person to person but in general patients report feelings of deep peace and equanimity. Many see colors or shapes and find the music being played during the session to be mesmerizing and deeply moving. Some have the experience of meeting with elders that have passed, offering them support and care. Some visit past traumatic events but with the distance that the medicine offers, find they are able to process the memory without feeling so much fear. Some find the experience to be spiritual or mystical. The intensity of the experience can vary depending on the dose, and on the individual response to the medicine.

In some people, Ketamine can cause mild nausea, dizziness, derealization (a sense of detachment), and drowsiness. These are usually mild and don’t last very long. Our medical providers can give you anti-nausea medicine if this is a concern. You will be welcome to relax in a recovery room in our office until you feel that any dizziness has passed, and we ask that you arrange for someone to pick you up afterwards.

Every person is different, but we find that most people get the maximum benefit from around three to six sessions of KAP. Most people will have some improvements after one to two sessions. Additional sessions allow the brain to continue developing and solidifying new neural pathways and patterns of thought.

Some people need more than six sessions to get the maximum benefit, and some need fewer. Some people with chronic or Treatment-Resistant Depression find that they need an occasional “booster” once they finish their main course of treatment. During your initial intake sessions, you will discuss your situation and goals with your providers, and make a personalized plan. That plan can be adjusted depending on how you respond. You do not have to commit to any specific number of sessions and you can stop at any time if you feel you are ready, or if you are not getting what you need out of it.

Integration can be one of the most important factors for success with KAP. The experience with the medicine can be intense and bring great insight, but this insight can fade over time without support. The time spent with a therapist during integration helps you bring this new perspective into your ordinary life, explore the meaning of your experience, and establish your intention for upcoming treatments. The neuroplasticity you experience right after a Ketamine treatment is what can make the psychotherapy more effective at helping you change patterns of thought and behavior that no longer serve you.

We know that many people are concerned about the cost of treatment. This is an intensive, short term and patient-specific treatment involving several hours at a time of one-on-one care from a physician and a therapist over a course of several weeks.

We believe in this treatment model. Our team approach is important for safety and to maximize benefit to patients. Our individualized care is important because each patient has a different path through the medicine treatment, and may have different needs during sessions.

The cost of treatment reflects the cost of our expenses in overhead and provider time. We do all we can to keep this cost as low as possible, while providing the highest quality of care.

We believe the healing environment is an important part of the process, and our office in Sebastopol is a tranquil space filled with light, living plants, and soothing imagery. You will be welcomed at the door. We may ask you to fill out some paperwork, including assessments that will help our providers to understand your mental state when you arrive and as treatment progresses. Our treatment rooms are comfortable, welcoming, private, and non-clinical.

If you approach our office from the parking lot in back or from the side, there is stair-free access. We work to provide an environment that is accessible to those with chemical sensitivities, and ask that patients refrain from using scented products when they visit our office.

If you have brought a support person, they will be invited to wait in our waiting room, or we will be happy to call them when you are done.

• The context you bring with you into treatment is important, so it is a good idea to focus on pleasant and calming experiences as much as possible before treatment, especially in the 24 hours beforehand. Try to avoid the news!
• Avoid alcohol 72 (or 48) hours before and after treatment.
• Manage previously prescribed medications according to the instructions of your ketamine provider the day of treatment.
• Do not eat any food for at least 4-6 hours before treatment.
• Do not drink any liquids for one hour before treatment, but hydrate well before that time.
• Wear soft, comfortable clothing and shoes that are stable for walking.
• Many people find it helpful to have sunglasses when they leave treatment, as you may find that too much light is jarring.
• We will provide you with an eye mask for treatment, but feel free to bring your own if you have one you like.
• Have a plan for someone to take you home after treatment. You should not drive a car or engage in hazardous activities until all effects of the medicine have worn off.
• It is a good idea to plan for a calm, reflective day after treatment if possible. You may want to spend time with someone who makes you feel grounded, or in nature, or in a relaxing and peaceful environment.