Dr. Anna Fekete (PhD)
clinical psychologist, psychotherapist
KETAMINE-ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY (KAP)
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What is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is a powerful and innovative approach to treating mental health and emotional issues. It uses ketamine - a powerful anesthetic, dissociative and psychedelic agent - to help individuals gain insight into their issues and to better understand their own thoughts and feelings.
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Please note that ketamine in itself - or any other psychedelic substace, for that matter - is no magic bullet!
In Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, the ketamine is "only" used as a tool to facilitate the psychotherapeutic process!
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Different protocols for Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
It is very important for you to appreciate that there is no "one" or "standard" way of doing Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP).
Please check out my explanations about ""Psychedelic" vs. "psycholytic" therapy?" and ""Sitter-model" vs. interactive facilitation?" here: Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
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Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) can be experienced in many different ways:
- In-person individual psychedelic KAP
- In-person individual psycholitic KAP
- Online individual psychedelic KAP
- Online individual psycholitic KAP
- Self-Guided individual psychedelic KAP
- Self-Guided individual psycholitic KAP
- In-person Ketamine-Assisted Couples Therapy
- In-person Group Psychedelic KAP
- In-person Group Psycholitic KAP
- In-person individudal Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy (PSIP)
- Online individudal Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy (PSIP)
The Common Denominator
The use of ketamine in therapy has become more common in recent years as new research has emerged suggesting that the substance - used as a catalyst in an intensive psychotherapautic procces! - may have therapeutic potential for a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD,addiction, etc.
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It's important to note that the use of ketamine in psychotherapy is still in the early stages of research and is not yet widely accepted as a standard medical treatment.
Ketamine is a controlled substance and its use outside of a medical or clinical setting is illegal.
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What happens in a Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy session?
The individual typically takes a dose of ketamine - under the supervision of a trained therapist - that is low enough to induce a state of altered consciousness, but not to the extent that the individual loses touch with reality.
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The individual then engages in an active psychotherapeutic process - under the guidance of an experienced therapist - exploring their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a deep and introspective way. The altered state of consciousness induced by the ketamine can help individuals to access and process difficult emotions, thoughts, and experiences, and to gain a new perspective on their emotional difficulties, their life situations, and their spiritual quests.
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The therapy session typically lasts for several hours (somewhere around 3 hours) and is followed by a period of reflection and integration.
The therapist may also provide support and guidance for the individual to help them make sense of their experiences and incorporate new insights into their everyday life.
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My Practice
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Length of sessions:
2.5 - 3 hours
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In-office sessions:
Please bring your ...
- prescription medicine
- eye-mask
- comfortable clothes ... with you.
Online sessions:
Please have your ...
- prescription medicine
- comfortable clothes
- eye-mask
- head-set
- laptop camera ... ready.
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Couples sessions:
For couples, only in-office sessions are available. No online sessions!
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Medicine (ketamine):
In my practice, I only use sublingual lozenges (rapid-dissolving) and troches (slow-dissolving).
I do not work with IM injections,
IV infusions, or nasal sprays.
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Prescription:
Ketamine lozenges and troches need to be prescribed by a physician or a Psychiatric NP.
The easiest way to get a prescription is via your own psychiatrist/NP.
If you don't know one, I can connect you with a medical professional who can take care of the prescription.
Please remember that prescribing physicians work independently from psychotherapists, therefore be prepared for your prescriber's rates and intake/follow-up processes.
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Compounding Pharmacies:
For the time being, ketamine lozenges and troches are mostly supplied by compounding pharmacies.
Usually, they will ship the medicine to your home within a few days.
Insurance:
I am an out-of-network practitioner, take out-of-pocket payment, and will provide you with a "super-bill" after each session.
If your insurance plan covers out-of-network services, your insurer will reimburse you to the extent of your out-of-network coverage.