What is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?
-by Jeanette Waxmonsky, PhD
Finding the right mental health treatment can feel overwhelming and, at times, impossible. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, especially for those with difficult-to-treat conditions who have tried traditional treatments like therapy, antidepressant medications, or even some newer treatments like Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and are still not seeing results. So what is ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, and how does it compare to these other treatments?
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is the combination of ketamine and psychotherapy. KAP is proving itself to be a ground-breaking intervention in helping people achieve breakthroughs in their conditions.
Game Changer: What is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?
For individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, or trauma, KAP offers new hope. Where ketamine therapy is just ketamine taken alone, KAP combines ketamine and psychotherapy. You are probably thinking, this sounds great, but what are the real benefits of KAP vs regular ketamine treatments?
Typically, ketamine treatments help for a short period of time. Then, in about 2-3 weeks, individuals often find themselves back to where they started:
"Post-ketamine, eight of nine patients relapsed, on average, 19 days after the sixth infusion (range 6 days–45 days)" - Aan Het Rot, Collins et al (2010).
“Among responders, the median time to relapse following the last ketamine infusion was 18 days.” -Murrough et al (2013).
It’s when you pair ketamine with psychotherapy that you start to see longer-term results (this is the game-changing news!).
The reason is fairly simple —ketamine gets your brain into a state where it’s more open to change. This state, called neural plasticity, makes it easier for the work done in therapy to take hold and make lasting changes. Imagine your mind as a garden, and therapy as the gardening process. Ketamine acts like the rain that softens the earth, making it more receptive to the seeds planted during therapy. This nurturing environment allows for new growth and healing, helping the garden of your mind to flourish and become more resilient over time.
Essentially, KAP bridges pharmacology and psychotherapy. Instead of just focusing on suppressing symptoms, KAP enhances your brain's ability to change and adapt. It utilizes ketamine to foster an environment where traditional psychotherapy can be more effective. Working together, these two disciplines create a more effective treatment overall.
The medication's role is one of the biggest differentiators with KAP—but it's not the only one. It does, however, set the stage for deeper psychotherapeutic work that can address the root issues, not just symptoms.
How Do We Know It Works?
It’s important to not just look at the numbers but also listen to others who have previously tried KAP. Remember, this isn’t about a quick temporary fix; it’s about your lasting mental wellness. Thanks to the combination of ketamine and therapy sessions, people are experiencing real, long-term improvements in their mental health.
Here are what just a few of our patients have said about the power of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy:
“Yes ketamine is a part of it, but the therapy session, having that afterwards is more important. If you just want to do ketamine, you can go elsewhere. But if you really want to get something out of it, then go to Noma." - MP, Denver
““For me personally I felt there was no way out of the hole I was in. The Noma program showed me it's possible to dig myself out” - EB, Denver
"I got some clarity on one subject that has been hidden in me for so long, that I was finally able to release and let go of it. This was a very calming experience but didn't happen till after I went through the journey. I was able to release a lot of emotions." - JK, Denver
There’s science to back it up, too:
"Despite much variance in how KAP is applied (route of ketamine administration, ketamine dosage/frequency, psychotherapy modality, overall treatment length), these findings suggest psychotherapy, provided before, during, and following ketamine sessions, can maximize and prolong benefits." - Drozdz (2022).
Achieve Long-term Mental Health Improvements
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) offers real hope for long-lasting results for treatment-resistant conditions. Integrating ketamine's neuroplastic effects with intensive psychotherapy guides patients toward self-discovery and emotional resilience.
By extending beyond symptom management and focusing on deep-rooted healing, KAP empowers individuals to reconstruct their thought patterns in ways that align with their aspirations for their mental health.
“KAP produced sustained reductions in anxiety, depression, and PTSD, with symptom improvement lasting well beyond the duration of dosing sessions. These effects extended to as much as 5 months after the last KAP session.” - Yermus et al (2024).
At Noma, we are committed to ensuring each patient receives tailored, compassionate treatment. By including psychotherapy in our 14-week program, we aim not for just symptom relief but for a substantial, enduring transformation that honors the complexities of each patient's life story.
Noma’s Therapy-first Approach
Noma’s therapy-first approach combines ketamine with an evidence-based, personalized psychotherapy treatment plan. This approach allows patients to actively collaborate with their treatment team to define their treatment goals and make a clear plan to reach those goals.
All Noma patients take part in therapy (it’s not an option to just have ketamine treatment) because, ultimately, this is what leads to enduring outcomes.
The Noma KAP Program includes:
Individualized Approach: Treatment plans are tailored to address the specific mental health goals of our patients.
One-on-One Sessions: The quality of therapy is critical. All of Noma’s patients get 1-on-1, personalized psychotherapy from a licensed therapist, no group therapy or ‘coaching’.
Diverse Modalities: Noma therapists draw from a range of evidence-based therapies, including but not limited to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MCBT), and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)-based skill building. Therapeutic approaches are selected to resonate with the individual's expectations and experiences, creating a personal healing process.
Post-Dosing Integration Therapy: Integration therapy sessions occur within one to two days after dosing sessions. These sessions are led by experienced therapists who help patients process insights gained during dosing and align them with their broader mental health goals.
Trauma-Informed Care: For those with significant trauma histories, our therapists provide a compassionate, safe space of understanding to aid in healing.
Continuous Assessment: Treatment effectiveness is continuously monitored, and plans are adjusted to ensure the best patient outcomes. Outcome assessments are shared with patients so they can also track their progress.
Incorporating ketamine with therapy allows for breakthroughs where previous treatments may have fallen short.
Crafting Individualized Treatment Plans
At Noma, we embrace the uniqueness of each individual's story by customizing treatment plans to best support our clients where they are in their journey.
We offer:
Personalized Assessments: Understanding the distinct aspects of each person's mental health condition.
Specific Goals Setting: Clear, achievable objectives are set in partnership with the patient.
Mindful Ketamine Integration: Careful consideration of how ketamine therapy can enhance the therapeutic process.
Ongoing Evaluation: Continuous review to tailor the treatment to the patient's evolving needs.
The primary goal of any therapy session is to create a supportive, compassionate, empathic environment where the patient can explore the experiences and emotions that are most relevant to them.
Navigating the Path to Ketamine-Assisted Therapy
As options for mental health treatment continue to evolve, KAP stands out as a promising option for those seeking alternative therapies for hard-to-treat conditions. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, anxiety, or trauma, exploring Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy could be a game-changer. However, it is important to select the right provider.
When choosing treatment providers, you should consider the staff's experience, safety protocols, accessibility (in terms of cost and insurance coverage), and the therapeutic modalities employed. These factors play a critical role in ensuring that the treatment aligns with your needs and offers the best chance at positive outcomes. With the right support and treatment, you can achieve your mental health goals.
If you are ready to take the next step in your mental health journey, schedule a free evaluation with our care team today.
Email us at: hello@nomatherapy.com or call us at (303) 578-2702.
