KAP | amberkerby

What is Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)?

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a unique approach to traditional talk therapy. KAP utilizes the medicine ketamine within the psychotherapy session in order to facilitate growth and change.

Ketamine is considered a “dissociative anesthetic” due to its tendency to produce a disconnection from our usual way of feeling and experiencing. At low doses given during a therapy session, you will experience a shift in consciousness such as an expanded state of awareness, access to novel ways of viewing life concerns, and freedom from the worries and anxieties of your ordinary mind-states. Pairing psychotherapy with ketamine offers real-time reflection on this experience to enhance growth and change.

Ketamine may, at times, facilitate psychedelic experiences such as expanded consciousness, and spiritual connection. These characteristics are similar to other psychedelic drugs that have been used successfully in psychotherapy sessions to reduce pain and distress. Ketamine is currently the only legal medication available in Iowa to be used in the context of psychedelic-assisted therapy.

What does Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) look like?

Before engaging in KAP sessions, we will meet at least twice to ensure you are prepared for this work. These sessions provide time to explore intentions and expectations, discuss informed consent, and gain familiarity with the space.

KAP sessions will be scheduled 1x/week for 6-8 weeks. KAP sessions begin at 9 am on your designated day and can last 2-3 hours. Integration of your experience begins during the KAP session as you enter back into an ordinary state of awareness. This time allows for exploration of the experience and establishing supportive practices to deepen the insights gained in session.

All sessions are conducted with a trained therapist and medical support to ensure you are well cared for throughout your experience.

How will Ketamine be administered?

In my practice, ketamine is administered by sublingual (oral) dissolving tablets or intranasal spray, a strategy which may allow for psychotherapy during the treatment, and an easier experience for those who are hesitant about injections. I work collaboratively with your prescriber to use a range of dosing strategies to create a personalized approach for each client, adjusting the dose, frequency, and time in between sessions based on each individual’s needs.

Issues that may respond to KAP include but are not limited to:

PTSD / Trauma; Depression; Anxiety; Unresolved issues from childhood; Rejoining life after a major illness; Grief & Loss; and End of Life distress related to dying.

How does ketamine work in the brain?

Ketamine enhances healing in the brain through multiple pathways. A main action path for Ketamine is on the NDMA receptor site in the brain, increasing activity of the neurotransmitter glutamate. This may enhance mood, decrease anxiety, and decrease the cravings found in addiction. Neurogenesis or growth of neuronal connections within the brain can occur, along with a decrease in the inflammatory response in the brain and body. Ketamine may ultimately allow for novel connections to be made across areas of the brain that allow for change and healing to take place. This may translate in to enhanced enjoyment of life, renewed sense of connections in relationships, and elevation of positive mood.

Check out this 2 minute video that briefly describes the neuroscience of Ketamine: https://youtu.be/kRtNsaMildw

Does ketamine have any side effects?

Side effects are generally limited to the timespan directly after session and usually resolve quickly. These include mild nausea, dizziness, derealization, and drowsiness.

Group KAP

Group KAP is an intimate (3-4 people) experience that blends the power of group therapy and integration with ketamine.

Groups include:

an individual assessment with me
medical evaluation with the prescriber
1 group preparation meeting
6 group ketamine sessions
a group closing integration session

During the ketamine sessions, each member self-administers the medicine at the same time, engaging in more of an internally directed experience. We then take time afterwards for self-reflection and group integration. The KAP Group offers a cost-effective way to engage in this work and provides a deeply supportive relational element.