Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)
Experience the life-changing potential of Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) – an innovative psychedelic therapy approach for treating mental health disorders and addiction. Our skilled therapists harness the power of ketamine to facilitate profound insights and foster deep healing within you. Numinous Ways is proud to partner with Eulas Clinics, a trusted provider of safe and legally conducted ketamine-assisted therapy in Hamilton, Scotland.
What is Ketamine Assisted psychotherapy?
Ketamine-assisted therapy (often referred to as Ketamine Therapy) is a treatment approach that combines the administration of ketamine, a dissociative anaesthetic, combined with psychotherapeutic intervention to facilitate treating conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders.
The therapist or facilitator guides and supports the person throughout the experience, helping them integrate the insights gained from the ketamine session into their overall healing process.
Is the use of ketamine legal?
The use of ketamine is legal for therapeutic medical purposes when it is prescribed and administered by a licensed healthcare professional.
Therapy using ketamine has shown promising results in the treatment of various mental health conditions, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
As a dissociative anesthetic, ketamine works by altering certain brain chemicals, providing relief for individuals experiencing severe and treatment-resistant symptoms.
How Does Ketamine Work in Therapy?
Ketamine acts as an antagonist to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the brain, inhibiting their activity.
This inhibition leads to the release of glutamate, a neurotransmitter associated with various downstream effects that are believed to contribute to the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of ketamine.
Furthermore, ketamine has been found to enhance the activity of specific brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNFs).
These BDNFs support the growth and survival of neurons in the brain.
The increased BDNF activity associated with ketamine treatment may contribute to the neuroplastic changes observed, helping to restore disrupted neural circuits implicated in conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Combining Ketamine and Psychotherapy
By combining Ketamine with Psychotherapy, we can maximize the benefits of both modalities.
Ketamine can help create an optimal state of mind for therapy, facilitating deeper insights and emotional processing.
Psychotherapy, in turn, provides the tools and support needed to address and transform thought patterns and behaviors, leading to lasting improvements in mental health. experience.
What Does Ketamine Therapy Involve, and what can I expect?
Ketamine-assisted therapy involves the administration of ketamine under the supervision of a trained healthcare professional.
During your ketamine-assisted therapy sessions, you’ll receive a carefully calibrated dose of ketamine in a controlled setting facilitated by an experienced psychotherapist or psychologist.
Ketamine’s effects can include dissociation, altered perception of time and space, and increased introspection.
These effects open doors to profound and transformative experiences, enabling individuals to delve into their deep-rooted emotions, memories, and trauma within a therapeutic context.
By facilitating a unique state of mind, it empowers individuals to explore and process hidden aspects of their inner world, leading to remarkable healing and growth.
The psychotherapy component of ketamine-assisted therapy usually involves various therapeutic techniques, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based approaches, or psychodynamic therapy.
The therapy session takes place in a supportive and safe environment, often with the presence of a trained therapist or facilitator.
Our team of therapists are all exceptionally trained in working with psychedelics in a therapeutic capacity and will guide you through the experience, offering compassionate support and expert insight.
Through various therapeutic modalities, we’ll help you make meaning of your ketamine journeys and translate them into tangible growth and healing in your everyday life.
How it works
1. Initial Consultation & Assessment
To ensure that this form of therapy is a safe and effective treatment option for you, our medical team will conduct a thorough assessment before treatment.
2. Preparation Sessions
There are two preparation sessions, which can be conducted in person or online. These sessions discuss topics such as presenting problems, expectations and treatment goals, and coping strategies.
3. Treatment Sessions
There are four sessions, each lasting 120 minutes and conducted in person. Each session includes a brief preparation talk and a breathing/mindfulness exercise to promote relaxation before the experience.
4. Integration Sessions
There are four integration sessions, each lasting 50 minutes and conducted in person or online.
5. Evaluation Session
This session lasts for 50 minutes, and it’s where outcomes are discussed. It may include a comparison of pre and post-treatment psychometric scores, a revision of treatment goals, and exploration of options for future interventions such as another treatment type or other forms of therapy.
Treatment Plan Overview
Our assisted psychotherapy programme is a comprehensive six-week course offering transformative care through a structured blend of preparation and integration sessions.
The programme features four assisted therapy sessions and weekly psychotherapy sessions, carefully tailored to ensure safety, effectiveness, and meaningful therapeutic outcomes.
Week 1: Initial assessment and two preparation sessions to establish treatment goals, expectations, and a strong therapeutic foundation.
Weeks 2–6: Four in-person assisted therapy sessions, spaced out with integration sessions that can be attended remotely or in person, depending on preference. Each therapy session is preceded by mindfulness practices to encourage relaxation and followed by thorough integration sessions to explore and solidify insights gained.
The programme is delivered by a multidisciplinary team comprising psychiatrists, therapists, and anaesthetists, ensuring the highest standard of care. Regular feedback between the patient and the team ensures the treatment remains aligned with the patient’s needs and goals. At the end of the six weeks, an evaluation session reviews outcomes, assesses progress, and plans next steps for continued growth and healing.