Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

What is Ketamine Assisted Therapy?

Ketamine assisted psychotherapy combines the unique therapeutic capabilities of Ketamine treatment with an integrated psychotherapy program to address not only the symptoms of anxiety and depression but also the negative thought patterns, traumas, habits, and chemical pathways our brains develop to cope with our histories and symptoms. By combining two dynamic, evidence-based tools treatment and psychotherapy. Ketamine assisted psychotherapy provides both rapid and effective relief from symptoms and the long-term healing gained from greater self-knowledge, emotional growth, and neural rebalance. 

What is Ketamine and How Does Ketamine Therapy Work?

Ketamine was developed in the 20th century as a safer alternative to other surgical anesthetics, and because of its efficacy and innovative safety profile, it was approved by the US Food & Drug Administration and added to the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines. Over the past two decades, clinical research has demonstrated that, when administered at doses lower than those used in anesthesia, Ketamine works rapidly, effectively, and safely to improve symptoms in people living with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy works differently from traditional therapies by changing the way that regions of the brain communicate with one another, which can rewire the brain’s response to depressive thoughts and anxious triggers, weaken the hold of traumatic memories, and strengthen connections between neurons. This neural rebalance helps to relieve both the physical and mental symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Research has also shown that, when combined with psychotherapy, Ketamine treatment can produce better therapeutic outcomes that last longer than traditional approaches.  

Our program combines a Ketamine dosing plan developed and supervised by trained medical professionals with a psychotherapy program led by experienced therapists. This combination of psychedelic neural rebalance with psychotherapy allows people living with anxiety, depression, and PTSD to confront root causes as well as symptoms in a safe, controlled environment and to do the important work of mental healing with an expert trained to guide you through the challenges of facing your fears and building a self ready to face the future with confidence. The average Field Trip Health program includes three stages: introduction, pre-treatment psychotherapy, and intention setting; Ketamine therapy sessions; and integration therapy. First, our licensed and trained therapists and medical professionals will work with you to determine the best treatment fit for you and your goals, outlining what you can expect during and after your treatment and guiding you through creating an optimal mindset for your sessions, setting your intentions, and making the most of your therapy. During Ketamine therapy sessions, treatment is administered intramuscularly (IM), intranasally (IN) or by lozenge as part of a personalized dosing plan developed by our experienced medical professionals based on your comfort level, medical history, and medication sensitivity. Finally, in psychotherapeutic integration sessions, our skilled therapists help you draw out insights from your self-exploration and discuss ways to ensure that your gains are sustained and integrated into your life moving forward.

How Does Ketamine Therapy Feel and How Long Does It Last?

It is difficult to describe how taking Ketamine feels because everyone has a deeply personal experience. During therapy, some feel bodily effects traditionally associated with the psychedelic experience, such as a dream-like state, double vision, euphoria, and mild nausea. Don’t worry, these feelings are all part of your journey, and trained medical experts will be with you every step of the way to ensure your physical and mental wellness and to offer medication management if you experience side effects during therapy. 

The ketamine experience typically lasts from 45 to 60 minutes. You should expect to spend about 2.5 hours total at our clinic to explore the intention-setting foundation, peak psychedelic experience, and reflection with your therapist.

Our evidence-based treatment protocol includes 6 Ketamine therapy sessions which include integrated psychotherapy or integration sessions. Ketamine therapy is not like traditional pharmacotherapies that are taken every day; instead, the work you do during your therapeutic sessions offers long-term healing with only a few sessions.

Is Ketamine Therapy Safe?

When dosed appropriately by qualified practitioners in a safe setting, ketamine therapy is both safe and effective. In fact, Ketamine has a better safety profile and fewer side effects than traditional psychiatric medications. Any psychotherapeutic approach comes with risks, and despite its strong safety profile, Ketamine therapy is no exception, That is why it is important that your Ketamine journey takes place in a safe and controlled environment guided by trained experts. 

How Is Field Trip’s Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Different?

Field Trip has a bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach that harnesses the unique psychedelic qualities of Ketamine to promote personal growth and long-term healing. As a result, we have carefully designed our spaces to promote a feeling of safety and comfort, which is an essential foundation to the self work, exploration, and integration you will experience during your therapeutic journey. 

To maximize the benefits and reduce the risks of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, it is important that your journey takes place in a safe, controlled setting guided by trained experts committed to ensuring your health and comfort. Field Trip Health providers are professionally trained and licensed medical practitioners including experienced physicians and psychiatrists, registered psychotherapists, and licensed nurse practitioners, and your therapy will take place in a health center designed specifically to optimize your therapeutic experience. At our Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Centers, our trained experts will craft a personalized dosing plan based on your comfort level, medical history, and medication sensitivity to ensure that your experience is optimized and your side effects and risk of dependence are minimized. A medical provider will be present during your psychedelic exploration session to safely administer your treatment, monitor your vital signs and blood pressure, and ensure your safety. Side effects are generally mild and resolve quickly, but our experts will be on hand to offer medication to manage any side effects you may experience during treatment. This safe and secure environment will allow you to focus on your healing journey with the confidence that your body is being cared for by trained experts. 

How Do I Start With Ketamine-Assisted Therapy?

Ultimately, it all starts with you. Our treatment programs are designed to help you harness your own ability to heal. This may be difficult because of past experiences or learned patterns, so our team is here to support and guide you, with the medicine as the catalyst that allows you to open yourself and access healing. We believe in empowering you as the agent of healing in your life, and that is exactly what will happen on your therapeutic journey.

How Much Does Ketamine Therapy Cost?

We understand that the first step in any new treatment program is a big one. Our offerings include financing options to help you ease your way into the journey ahead. Our evidence-based* treatment protocol was designed to help our clients reach their desired outcomes, and each package is a different investment based on your needs. With this in mind, our medical team will recommend 6 Ketamine therapy sessions over the course of 3 weeks (on average) as part of a personalized plan. We pair multiple sessions together as research and health center results have proven** that this extends the effects of treatment, leading to lasting relief.

For more information on rates and investment, please speak with one of the members of our Care Team by booking your discovery call here.

Does Field Trip Health have a ketamine therapy clinic near me?

Field Trip Health has clinics across Canada including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Hamilton, Kitchener Waterloo, Thunder Bay, and Sault Ste. Marie. If you are ready to begin your journey toward healing and build your personalized treatment plan, then book your free discovery call to learn more.

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*A randomized, double-blind, active placebo-controlled study of efficacy, safety, and durability of repeated vs single subanesthetic ketamine for treatment-resistant depression.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-020-00897-0

**Field Trip Health preliminary data, 2020-2022