Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is a novel and emerging therapeutic approach that combines the use of the medication ketamine with psychotherapy for the treatment of various mental health conditions. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has been used medically for decades and is known for its rapid-acting antidepressant properties. When administered in a controlled clinical setting and in conjunction with psychotherapy, KAP has shown promise in treating several mental health disorders.

Conditions Treated

KAP has demonstrated effectiveness in treating various mental health conditions, including but not limited to:

Depression: Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy has been particularly successful in rapidly alleviating symptoms of treatment-resistant depression.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): KAP may help individuals process traumatic memories and reduce the emotional distress associated with them.
Anxiety Disorders: It has shown potential in treating anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Chronic Pain: Ketamine can also be used to manage chronic pain conditions, with psychotherapy addressing the emotional aspects of pain perception.

Ketamine works differently from traditional antidepressant medications. It primarily targets the brain's glutamate system, promoting synaptic plasticity and neural connections. This rapid modulation of brain function is believed to contribute to its quick antidepressant effects.

Rapid Relief: One of the primary advantages of KAP is its rapid onset of action. Many patients report feeling improvements in mood and symptom relief within hours or days of treatment, which is significantly faster than traditional antidepressant medications.
Enhanced Psychotherapeutic Process: Ketamine can lower psychological defenses and increase introspection during therapy sessions. This can facilitate more effective psychotherapy, allowing patients to explore and process deeply rooted emotions and traumas.
Reduced Suicidal Ideation: KAP has demonstrated the potential to rapidly reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors in individuals experiencing severe depression.
Long-Lasting Effects: While the acute effects of ketamine may be relatively short-lived, a series of treatments combined with therapy can lead to lasting improvements in mental health and well-being

Journey Clinical

Journey Clinical is a platform for licensed psychotherapists to incorporate science-based psychedelic therapies in their practice safely and effectively, starting with Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). Journey Clinical’s in-house medical team takes on patient eligibility, prescriptions and outcome monitoring, while I take on the therapy. Their collaborative care model is designed to deliver personalized treatment plans to meet your individual needs and improve long-term outcomes.