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Kelly S.

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy at FFW

What Is It?

Combined with psychotherapy, ketamine treatment has shown positive, clinically-significant results. Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) can be administered in person, virtually, or self-administered. There are also options for 1:1 and group KAP! A person appropriate for KAP is over 18 and has a stable mental health or substance use condition. It's also imperative that there is a therapeutic rapport established in Preparation.


KAP is a holistic modality in which ketamine is used as a complement to psychotherapy to help eligible patients experience more frequent breakthroughs and sustained improvement in symptoms. I take on the psychotherapy portion of the experience, while my partner Journey Clinical’s medical team supports you on all medical aspects. This includes determining eligibility, developing a custom treatment plan, prescribing the medicine, and monitoring outcomes.

Ketamine is a legal, safe, and effective medicine used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The effects of ketamine, which most patients find pleasant, last for approximately 45 minutes. These effects can make you feel “far from” your body, and facilitate shifts in perception that can often feel expansive in nature.




How Does Treatment Work?

Treatment goes: consultation with me, consultation with your JC medical provider, as many preparation sessions you need with me, ketamine dosing session, and then integration sessions to review the experience. Below is more detailed information about each step of the journey.

  • Step 1: Preparation -

Intake and rapport building with the therapist. Therapists may provide a mental framework to support the client's journey. Clients identify emotional, value-driven anchors to support them in their experience. For example, one might return to curiosity, love, patience, surrender, etc. This space is utilized to prepare for what you want this experience to mean. It's a good idea to check in with protective/guarding parts to ensure they feel safe. It's also important to check on SET and SETTING - ensuring you are in the right mindset and have the right setting to have a holistic experience.

  • Step 2: Dosing -

Signing consent, verifying vitals, and ensuring that the space is comfortable and meaningful. Any preparation topics are discussed and ketamine is self-administered through a rapidly dissolving tablet. This tablet is broken up into 3 doses and can be taken at once or one at a time. A ketamine journey lasts about 45 minutes. It's common not to talk for this experience and to just stay 'inward' instead.

  • Step 3: Integration -

Integration is for processing and reflecting on material that arose during the medicine session

(e.g., insights, feelings, somatic sensations). It's a space for making meaning of the experience to create lasting, positive change in one’s life. There's the chance to address any questions, confusions, or impasses that may arise during or after the session. It's also an opportunity to capitalize on neuroplasticity.


Any questions? Feel free to reach out for a free 15-minute consultation!

 

Feelings Forward Wellness provides holistic treatment for trauma that supports the healing of mind, body, spirit, and community. Through offerings of trauma psychotherapy, psychedelic-assisted therapy, and somatic healing, FFW aims to provide effective and culturally-responsive mental health treatment for those continuing to struggle with the after-effects of trauma and PTSD.

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