Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
Using Psychedelics For Mental Health
Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Is A Cutting Edge Treatment Approach To Mental Health Symptoms And One That Is Well Established By Decades Of Medical Research.
The term refers to the professionally supervised use of ketamine, MDMA, psilocybin, LSD, or ibogaine as part of an established psychotherapy treatment program.
Its use, until recently, was limited by the illegality of most of the studied medications, despite decades of published data establishing its safety. As a result, few mental health professionals have been adequately trained in this specialty.
In our clinic, we use experienced, highly trained therapists and physician-supervised administration of psychedelic doses of ketamine.
Ketamine as a Psychedelic Treatment
By far, the most studied psychedelic agent is ketamine, which in higher doses has been an anesthesia agent in use for decades. At lower doses, it temporarily modifies consciousness, causing changes in mood, anxiety level, and thought patterns.
Ketamine has been studied in over 70 Phase clinical trials for psychiatric disorders, given as single or repeated administrations in varying doses and by various routes of delivery. Most studies have been for depressive disorders, but Ketamine has also shown promise for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), suicidality, and addictions, including alcohol and opioid dependence. In our clinic, we have successfully used this protocol for many clients living with chronic pain.
How To Get Started
Enrollment in the program begins with an intake evaluation with one of our specialized physicians for a medical screening and information session.
You will then be referred to a therapist trained in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. Your initial visit with your therapist will be used to design an individualized program for you, depending on your needs, and your therapist will answer any additional questions you have.
Following this, your therapist will first work with you to get to know you, establish your therapy goals and make sure you are adequately prepared for psychedelic work. This phase of treatment is the preparation phase and the number of sessions varies according to your needs.
If other forms of psychotherapy or psychiatric care have not fully helped your symptoms, consider speaking with us about psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. We will have an honest conversation with you about expectations and possible outcomes to determine if this type of treatment is a fit for you.
Signi Goldman, M.D.
Most clients will then have between one and three psychedelic sessions, and the timing of these is determined by you and your therapist as appropriate.
Your therapist will stay with you during these sessions. A trained physician will also be medically monitoring you throughout the 40-60 minute period that the medication is taking effect.
After each ketamine session, you will have follow-up sessions with your therapist to discuss your experience. This part of treatment is called integration and helps you understand how to use your experience with ketamine to move forward with your overall therapy goals.
The Difference Between Ketamine Treatment And Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
Here is one of our providers, Dr. Signi Goldman, explaining the difference between these two methods of using Ketamine, often a confusing topic. confusing topic. We offer both options through our clinic and can help you determine which is the right fit for you.
