Ketamine Assisted Therapy
What is Ketamine Assisted Therapy &
How do we use it?
Ketamine-assisted therapy involves using low doses of ketamine alongside therapy for the treatment of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD, as well as chronic pain.
During ketamine-assisted therapy sessions, clients are administered low doses of ketamine intramuscularly, orally, or intravenously while undergoing therapy before and after. Ketamine works quickly to relieve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. The effects of ketamine at micro-doses can allow clients to engage in therapy with greater emotional, cognitive, and psychological flexibility. The 'psychedelic effects' of ketamine offer an opportunity for patients to have a mystical experience in a non-ordinary state of consciousness. This allows for shifts in perspectives and new levels of self-awareness.
Ketamine is thought to promote neural plasticity, which enhances the therapy process. The combination of ketamine's pharmacological effects and therapy can lead to long-term changes in thinking, emotions, and behavior.
And finally, we use ketamine assisted therapy as a tool in supporting pain management and helping the brain and body to biochemically recalibrate from chronic pain, PTSD, and depression. Ketamine assisted therapy in both individual and group practices offer opportunities to deepen and expand personal perspective and develop healthy and meaningful connections to the Self and others.
Ketamine Assisted Therapy
Indicated for the treatment of:
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Treatment Resistant Depression
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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder
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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
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Chronic Migraines
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Fibromyalgia
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Chronic Neuropathic Pain
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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Scientific Research
Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Treatment of Comorbid Depression and Chronic Pain
Principal findings support ketamine-assisted therapy’s efficacy for the treatment of depression and chronic pain comorbidity and indicate its potential use for anxiety and trauma-informed indications.
Results suggest that the psychedelic approach may be superior to the psycholytic approach, which implies that larger doses and intramuscular routes may be optimal.
Treatment Protocol
1. Initial consultation includes screening for eligibility, diagnosis assessment (chronic pain and/or mental health conditions), and treatment plan along with preparation discussion including recommended route of ketamine administration: micro-dosing oral, inter-muscular or intravenous.
2. After initial medical and mental health intake, patients meet with a therapist or coach to establish a therapeutic alliance, and work on developing a treatment plan that includes life style goal setting. Additionally, a therapist or coach will provide education of the treatment process, teaching self-regulation tools and preparation for the integration process which will include cognitive/ behavioral and lifestyle skills and changes. If a patient has their own therapist or coach, we suggest they be well versed in the above process and be open to case coordination with our team.
3. Ketamine session occurs with meditation/breath work before and brief integration discussion after to help process the experience. A follow up therapy session or coaching session will be scheduled for full integration and preparation for next ketamine treatment.
4. Ketamine assisted therapy sessions are to be repeated for 3-6 ketamine sessions in total, to steer the neuroplastic changes in the brain. Objective measures help guide the overall treatment plan.
5. Maintenance ketamine assisted therapy sessions may be warranted after the initial 3-6 sessions, to reinforce benefits.
The key points are the preparation and integration therapy around each ketamine session, repeating the process to induce lasting neuroplasticity effects, and tailoring the number of sessions based on objective outcomes.
Shari B. Kaplan, LCSW, Dr. Michelle Weiner, and their team are trained and certified in Pain Reprocessing Therapy which is a technique used to facilitate pain reframing, somatic tracking, breaking the pain cycle and Mindfulness Oriented Recovery Enhancement to treat depression related to chronic stress, PTSD, and addiction.
Group sessions for community support are also available.
KETAMINE SPACES
Key Points Summarizing Our Approach using Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy to treat Chronic Pain, Stress,Trauma and Depression:
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A 6-week comprehensive program combines ketamine sessions with therapy to address chronic stress and trauma.
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Thorough pre-evaluation assesses medical history, lifestyle, resilience, self-regulation, diet, exercise & spirituality.
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Clients set intentions and goals to guide the therapy process and ketamine sessions.
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Ketamine expands awareness of mind-body connections to gain insights.
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Therapy sessions integrate modalities like EMDR, IFS, CBT to process insights, release old beliefs and trauma, and to develop new coping skills.
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Additional plant medicines/cannabis aid mind-body regulation between sessions.
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Multifaceted integrative therapies address mind, body, spirituality & relationships.
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Preparation and intention-setting optimize ketamine sessions to unlock root causes to traumas, chronic pain & stress, and depression.
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The goal is to re-process trauma, repair original attachments, reduce chronic pain & stress, and depression to improve daily functioning and quality of life through a holistic approach.
Locations
712 East Palmetto Park Rd
Boca Raton, FL 33432
3661 South Miami Ave
Unit 1008, Miami, FL 33133
Hours
Monday - Friday
9am - 5pm