If you've been hearing the word "ketamine" a lot lately and wondering what on earth it has to do with therapy, you are not alone. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, or KAP, is a legal, medically supervised form of therapy that pairs a carefully prescribed dose of ketamine with the support of a trained therapist. I have been offering KAP to clients in Virginia and Oregon for several years now, and it continues to be some of the most moving and joyful work of my twenty years as a therapist.
This post is a gentle introduction for anyone who is curious, a little nervous, or simply wants to understand what KAP actually is before deciding whether it might be right for them.
What is ketamine-assisted psychotherapy?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is therapy that uses ketamine, a medicine that has been approved by the FDA as an anesthetic since 1970, to help open a window of flexibility in the mind. At the lower doses used in KAP, ketamine doesn't put you to sleep. Instead, it tends to soften the grip of old thought patterns and invites a dreamy, expansive state where people often feel more open, more compassionate toward themselves, and more connected to something larger than their everyday worries.
The "psychotherapy" part is just as important as the medicine. KAP isn't about taking ketamine and hoping for the best. It's a relationship. We prepare together before your first session, I'm with you during the experience, and we spend time afterward making sense of what came up and bringing it back into your everyday life. That last part, called integration, is where so much of the real healing happens.
How does KAP work?
I like to describe it this way. So many of our "dysfunctional" thoughts and behaviors are really our unconscious trying desperately to heal and keep us safe. Those coping strategies were invented by a brilliant younger version of ourselves, and they worked once, but they're based on a child's brain and they just don't work anymore. Changing them can feel impossible because we've been practicing them our whole lives.
Ketamine seems to loosen those deeply grooved habits for a little while, which gives us a chance to see ourselves and our stories from a new vantage point. Many people describe a sense that the boundaries between themselves and the world soften. Some people meet grief, memories or old parts of themselves with a tenderness they couldn't access before. Others simply feel deep rest. Every journey is different, and there is no right way to have one.
Who can KAP help?
Research on ketamine for mental health is still growing, but it has shown real promise for people living with depression, including depression that hasn't responded to other treatments, as well as anxiety and trauma. In my own practice, I have seen KAP be especially meaningful for:
People who are grieving the loss of a spouse, a parent, or a life they thought they would have
People who feel stuck in patterns they understand intellectually but can't seem to change
People going through major life transitions who want to reconnect with what matters to them
Therapists and healers who spend their days holding space for others and want to do their own deep work
People who are curious about spirituality and the mystery of being alive, even if they would describe themselves as skeptics
KAP and grief
Grief work is close to my heart. When someone we love dies, the shock and pain can feel earth-shattering, and talking about it, while important, sometimes only goes so far. In KAP sessions, I have watched grieving clients feel a sense of connection with the person they lost, find a softer relationship with their pain, and begin, slowly and gently, to engage with life again. Some of the most self-described "grumpy atheists" I have worked with have walked away with a new sense of awe about the mystery of the universe. I never promise that kind of experience, but I have seen it enough times to know it is possible.
Is KAP safe?
Ketamine has a long track record in medicine, and KAP is done with medical screening and oversight. I partner with Journey Clinical, a medical team that evaluates whether ketamine is a safe fit for you, prescribes the medicine, and monitors your care, while I provide the therapy. Ketamine isn't right for everyone, and certain health conditions, medications or personal histories may mean it isn't a good fit. Your medical provider will review all of this with you before you begin. You can read more on my Risks and Expectations page.
Where can I do KAP in Virginia or Oregon?
I offer KAP to adults in Virginia and Oregon, either virtually from the comfort of your own home or in person at my office in Nelson County, Virginia, near Charlottesville. I work with individuals, couples and small groups of close friends, and I'm also able to bring KAP to established retreats. If you already have a therapist you love, I'm happy to work alongside them as an adjunct KAP therapist.
Frequently asked questions about KAP
Is ketamine therapy legal?
Yes. Ketamine is a legal prescription medicine in the United States. In KAP, it is prescribed by a licensed medical provider after an evaluation.
Does insurance cover ketamine-assisted psychotherapy?
Often in part. My preparation and integration sessions can usually be billed to insurance, and Journey Clinical is in network with a growing number of insurance plans. Visit my Services page for current details.
Do I have to stop seeing my current therapist?
Not at all. I can be your primary therapist or work alongside your current one, and I'm always happy to collaborate.
Will I lose control?
Most people find the experience gentle and dreamlike. You'll be safe, supported, and never alone, and we will talk through everything you might feel before your first session so nothing comes as a surprise.
Curious to learn more?
If you're wondering whether KAP might be right for you, I'd love to hear from you through my contact page. And if you'd like to start with something softer, my Meditation Club was first created for my KAP clients, with weekly meditations, art and playlists to support integration. Anyone is welcome to join.
This post is for educational purposes and isn't medical advice. Please talk with a medical provider about whether ketamine is safe for you.