Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) combines ketamine treatment with psychotherapy to support healing from trauma, depression, anxiety, and major life transitions. Ketamine is a well-researched, legal prescription medication administered under the supervision of a medical provider. When combined with psychotherapy, it can help people access new perspectives, process difficult experiences, and create lasting change.
At Folsom Trauma Therapy, I offer Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy as part of a comprehensive treatment approach for individuals seeking deeper healing than talk therapy alone can provide.
How Does Ketamine Work?
Ketamine works differently than traditional psychiatric medications. Research suggests it can:
- Increase neuroplasticity, making the brain more flexible and receptive to change
- Reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Create temporary distance from habitual patterns of thinking and self perception
- Enhance access to emotions, memories, and perspectives that may be less available in ordinary consciousness
- Support memory reconsolidation, helping the brain update and heal painful experiences.
Many clients describe ketamine as helping them step outside familiar patterns and view themselves, their experiences, and their challenges from a new perspective.
Psychotherapy helps transform these experiences into meaningful and lasting change. While ketamine may open the door, therapy helps you walk through it.
What Conditions Can Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Help?
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy has shown promise for a variety of mental health concerns, including:
- Trauma and PTSD
- Depression
- Anxiety
- OCD
- Eating disorders
- Substance use concerns
- Adjustment to significant life changes
Many clients seek KAP after feeling stuck despite years of therapy, medication, or personal growth efforts. Others are simply looking for a different approach to healing.
What Is the Difference Between Psychedelic and Psycholytic Ketamine Therapy?
At Folsom Trauma Therapy, I offer two different approaches to Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy:
Psychedelic KAP uses higher doses of ketamine to create a deeply internal experience that may include imagery, symbolism, altered perception, and profound insight. These sessions focus on preparation, the dosing experience itself, and integration afterward.
Psycholytic KAP uses lower doses of ketamine that allow you to remain more aware of your surroundings and connected to your therapist throughout the session. This approach is particularly well-suited to trauma-focused therapies such as EMDR and Brainspotting.
Who Is a Good Candidate for KAP?
KAP is most effective for people who are curious about themselves, willing to engage in the therapeutic process, and motivated to create meaningful change in their lives. Successful treatment involves more than receiving ketamine. Lasting improvement comes from integrating insights, practicing new behaviors, and actively participating in the therapeutic work.
Not everyone is medically eligible for ketamine treatment. Before beginning KAP, clients are evaluated by my partner psychiatric provider to determine whether ketamine is appropriate and safe for them.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy in Folsom
Folsom Trauma Therapy offers Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy in Folsom, California, as well as telehealth services throughout California and Colorado.
As a Certified Psychedelic Therapy Provider, EMDR therapist, and Certified Brainspotting Practitioner, I specialize in helping people heal trauma and create lasting change. If you are curious whether Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy might be a good fit for you, I invite you to reach out.
