Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Frequently Asked Questions

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is a therapeutic approach that combines the use of ketamine—a legally prescribed, FDA-approved medication—with psychotherapy. During KAP sessions, ketamine is administered in a controlled, supportive setting, often allowing individuals to access non-ordinary states of consciousness. This altered state can facilitate deep emotional insights and healing. Paired with psychotherapy, KAP can support you in exploring and processing unresolved emotions, trauma, and challenging thought patterns.

Ketamine was approved by the FDA for use in psychiatric medicine in 2019.

Ketamine is a medication that has been used safely for over 50 years. It was first approved by the FDA in 1970, and it's known for being a dissociative anesthetic—meaning it helps people disconnect from pain and physical sensation, which makes it very effective in surgery and pain management. In recent years, ketamine has gained attention for its ability to help treat chronic, treatment-resistant mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction.

Discovered by Cal Stevens at Wayne State University in 1961 and developed by Parke-Davis (a part of Pfizer), ketamine was marketed under the name Ketlar. It quickly became recognized for its safety as an anesthetic. However, doctors noticed that some people experienced disorientation and perceptual disturbances when waking up from anesthesia—a phenomenon known as “emergence syndrome.”

Instead of seeing this as a negative, some forward-thinking psychiatrists like Salvador Roquet recognized that these experiences could actually be useful for therapy. They began using ketamine to help patients explore deeper emotional states during psychotherapy. In the years that followed, other clinicians such as Eli Kolp, Evgeny Krupitsky, and Karl Jansen continued this approach, combining ketamine with psychotherapy to treat mental health conditions.

In the 1990s, Dr. John Krystal at Yale School of Medicine used ketamine to study and treat schizophrenia. Today, "emergence syndrome" is understood as a potentially healing experience, allowing access to Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness (NOSC) that can facilitate profound emotional insights and healing.

Ketamine acts as a catalyst in the therapeutic process. When administered in a controlled, clinical environment, ketamine helps shift the brain's patterns, allowing new neural connections to form. This can allow for greater emotional openness and insight, and provide access to unconscious material. It’s particularly effective for people who may not have found relief with traditional treatments. During your KAP session, you’ll work with your therapist to process any insights or emotions that arise. Ketamine doesn’t "fix" anything, but creates the space for your healing to unfold.

Ketamine for KAP can be administered through various methods, including intravenous (IV), intramuscular (injection), intranasal, or sublingual. At the Center for Conscious Alchemy, we primarily use sublingual (under the tongue) and intramuscular (injection) routes.

Together, we'll determine the best method and dosage for you. You can choose between ketamine lozenges or troches (self-administered and held under the tongue for several minutes) or intramuscular injection, and we can be creative in experimenting with what works best across sessions.

Every KAP session is unique, and your experience will be tailored to your individual needs and goals. Typically, sessions last 2-3 hours. After a brief discussion with your therapist about your intentions for the session, you will be given a small, carefully calculated dose of ketamine. You will then relax in a comfortable, safe space while the medication takes effect. During this time, you may experience altered states of consciousness, ranging from a heightened sense of awareness to profound emotional release or insight. Your therapist will be present to support you throughout the session and assist you in processing any experiences that arise.

Yes, KAP is safe when administered in a controlled setting with trained professionals. Before treatment, we conduct a thorough medical intake to ensure ketamine is appropriate for you, and we monitor your experience closely throughout each session. While ketamine has a strong safety profile, it’s important to note that each person’s experience is unique, and we work collaboratively to ensure your well-being throughout the process.

The short answer is yes. When abused outside of a medical setting, ketamine has the potential to become addictive. However, the potential for dependency is very low when KAP is prescribed and supervised by trained medical professionals.

Possible side effects may include: 

• temporary increase in blood pressure
• changes in perception (visual, tactile, auditory)
• feelings of falling, floating or being suspended in air
• altered time perception
• diminished ability to see things that are actually present
• diminished ability to feel objects accurately (including one’s own body)
• dizziness
• sedation
• excitability
• confusion
• slurred speech
• anxiety
• headaches
• nausea
• vomiting (rare)

To reduce the risk of nausea and vomiting, you’ll be advised not to eat for at least 4 hours before your session. You may also be asked to lie down and keep your eyes closed or use an eye mask to manage blurred vision and impaired balance. It's important not to drive or engage in hazardous activities on the day of your session. You’ll be assessed for safety before leaving the office and will need a prearranged ride home.

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Some people may find the experience unsettling, while others find it joyful or fascinating. We’ve found that even frightening or overwhelming experiences can be very valuable in the healing process, and your therapist will guide you to make the most of these insights.

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KAP can be beneficial for individuals seeking support with conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, and trauma. It can also be helpful for those who feel "stuck" in traditional therapy and are looking for a different way to explore and process their emotions. However, not everyone is a candidate for KAP. We conduct a thorough assessment during your medical intake session to determine if KAP is the right fit for your needs. If we determine that another approach may be more appropriate, we’ll discuss other options with you.

The total cost of your KAP treatment will depend on the number of sessions. Here’s a pricing guide:

• Medical Intake with Nurse Practitioner (50 minutes): $425*
• Diagnostic Assessment (50 minutes): $250*
• Preparation Session (50 minutes): $225*
• 180-Minute Ketamine Lozenge Session: $850**
• 180-Minute Ketamine Intramuscular Session: $850**
• Integration Session (50 minutes): $250*

*These services can be billed to a client’s insurance carrier.

**A portion of the KAP session can be billed to a client’s insurance carrier.

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Currently, the cost of KAP medicine sessions is not covered by most insurance providers. However, diagnostic assessments, preparation sessions, and integration sessions are typically covered by most insurance plans. We encourage you to check with your insurance provider for specifics regarding coverage, and we're happy to provide documentation to assist with the process.

Yes, many people combine KAP with other forms of therapy or medication. If you’re currently working with another therapist or taking medication, we’ll discuss this with you during your medical intake to ensure that KAP is a safe and complementary approach.

No previous experience with ketamine or therapy is necessary to begin KAP. If you’ve never tried ketamine, you may be unsure about what to expect. We work with you to make sure that you feel ready for each session, and we will be there to support you during and after the experience. If you’re new to therapy, you’ll find that our approach is warm, empathetic, and nonjudgmental. We want you to feel empowered in your journey, whether you’re experienced in therapy or new to the process.

Ketamine can induce altered states of consciousness, but this doesn’t mean you will be “high” in the way you might think of recreational drug use. While the experience can feel dreamlike or surreal, the goal is not to induce a dissociative state for the sake of recreation. The altered state that ketamine creates allows you to access deeper parts of your consciousness, where healing and insight can emerge.

We use specially curated music playlists that are designed to complement and enhance the effects of the medicine, supporting the therapeutic process. These carefully selected ambient and atmospheric tracks help you relax, deepen into a meditative state, and surrender to the experience. The music is not just a backdrop; it actively works with the ketamine to facilitate emotional release, insight, and healing.

Curious about the types of music we use? Listen to some public playlists on Spotify here.

It all depends on your unique needs and goals. Some people may benefit from just a few sessions, while others may find that a longer series of sessions is more effective. During your initial intake, we’ll discuss your goals and create a plan that feels right for you. Throughout the process, we’ll reassess and adjust as needed to make sure you’re getting the most from your experience. Each session builds on the last, and we’re here to support you at your own pace.

After your KAP session, you may feel relaxed or reflective. The integration phase—where you work with your therapist to process insights from your session—is an important part of the healing process. We’ll help you explore the experience, reflect on its meaning, and incorporate any lessons into your daily life. Some people may feel a shift in perspective right away, while for others, the insights may unfold gradually. In either case, we’re here to provide ongoing support and help you make the most of the changes that come from your work.