Ketamine-Assisted Therapy: A Transformative Approach to Inner Work

What Is Ketamine-Assisted Therapy?

Ketamine-Assisted Therapy (KAT) is an approach that merges neuroscience with deep psychological exploration. For me, it’s not just about symptom relief—it’s about meeting ourselves in new ways, accessing buried emotions, and engaging with our inner world from a fresh perspective.

Originally developed as an anesthetic, ketamine is now recognized for its rapid-acting antidepressant effects and its ability to facilitate deep therapeutic work. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which often engages the thinking mind, KAT allows us to soften psychological defenses, making room for insights and emotional shifts that might otherwise remain inaccessible.

Through a guided process, ketamine sessions create a state of openness where we can explore old patterns, emotions, and memories from a place of curiosity rather than fear. But the key isn’t the ketamine itself—it’s how we engage with what arises and integrate those insights into daily life.

How Does Ketamine Work?

Ketamine affects the brain in ways that allow for greater flexibility and healing:

• Neuroplasticity Boost → It helps create new neural connections, opening up possibilities for different ways of thinking and being.

• Softening of Ego Defenses → It allows us to step outside of habitual narratives and see ourselves with fresh eyes.

• Increased Emotional Accessibility → By bypassing the usual cognitive filters, ketamine helps us access emotions and past experiences that might otherwise feel out of reach.

When combined with therapy, these effects can create a powerful space for processing, integration, and real change.

How I Approach Ketamine-Assisted Therapy

For me, KAT is not about erasing pain or bypassing the hard work of self-discovery. Instead, it’s a tool that helps us meet ourselves with more clarity, compassion, and honesty.

I’ve facilitated over 40 individual and group ketamine-assisted therapy journeys, including work with first responders experiencing PTSD. I’ve witnessed how ketamine can act as a doorway—but it’s what we do with what’s behind that door that truly matters.

I integrate Parts Work, somatic awareness, and Eastern philosophy into my approach, ensuring that clients aren’t just left with a profound experience but have the support to make sense of it and apply it in real life.

"Ketamine allows parts of us to speak that we may have ignored, numbed, or feared for years. What matters most is how we meet those parts—with curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to explore what they need."

What to Expect in a Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Process

KAT is not a quick fix—it’s a guided journey that unfolds over time. The process typically involves:

1. Preparation Sessions

Before any ketamine session, we work together to set intentions, establish a sense of safety, and build trust. This includes:

• Understanding what KAT is (and what it isn’t).

• Exploring personal history, goals, and expectations.

• Learning grounding techniques and somatic practices to navigate the experience.

  
  

2. Ketamine Sessions

During the session, you’re supported in a controlled, therapeutic environment. The experience can range from deep introspection to expansive, mystical-like states, depending on dosage and intention. My role is to hold space, ensuring that whatever arises is met with openness and presence.

3. Integration: Turning Insight into Change

This is where the real work happens. Integration is about making sense of the experience without over-analyzing or dismissing it. We explore:

• How the experience connects to your life, relationships, and healing process.

• Ways to embody insights through real-world action and shifts in perception.

• Tools to revisit challenging emotions or visions with grounded support.

Integration isn’t just an intellectual process—it’s about living differently based on what we’ve uncovered.

Who Is Ketamine-Assisted Therapy For?

KAT can be especially helpful for: 

✅ Those who feel stuck in traditional therapy approaches.

✅ Individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or trauma.

✅ People seeking a deeper, more embodied approach to emotional healing.

✅ Anyone curious about altered states of consciousness in a therapeutic setting.

That said, KAT isn’t for everyone. A screening process ensures that it’s safe and appropriate for each individual.

Final Thoughts: A Tool, Not a Shortcut

Ketamine isn’t the answer—it’s an invitation. A tool that creates space for deeper self-awareness, emotional processing, and shifts in perspective. But transformation doesn’t happen in the session—it happens in how we engage with what we’ve seen and choose to integrate it into our lives.

As I often remind clients:

"The work doesn’t end with the session. The work is in how we engage with what we’ve seen, how we integrate what we’ve learned, and how we move forward differently because of it."

If you’re interested in exploring Ketamine-Assisted Therapy and the integration process, reach out to learn more.