Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is a breakthrough mental health treatment that combines ketamine with psychotherapy. By taking advantage of ketamine’s psychedelic effects, KAP facilitates deep healing and opens the doorway to sustained personal growth.
In this article, we’ll explain what KAP is, how it works, and its unique benefits in treating mental health.
Psychotherapy, sometimes called “talk therapy,” has been a cornerstone of mental health treatment for over a century.
The goals of psychotherapy vary from person to person, but typically include:
Different forms of therapy achieve these goals in various ways.
Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP®) focuses on creating a secure, attuned therapeutic relationship that helps patients process overwhelming emotions and transform them into resilience and core positive states. Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps patients explore their inner ‘parts,’ understanding how protective and wounded parts interact, and fostering healing by cultivating a compassionate core Self that leads the internal system.”
While these approaches can be powerful, some patients find that traditional psychotherapy alone doesn’t work. It’s often a long process that requires commitment, causing many people to drop out.
Since the 1960s, researchers and clinicians have recognized that psychedelic medicines can markedly enhance the psychotherapeutic process. This includes classical psychedelics like psilocybin (from mushrooms) and LSD, and non-classical psychedelics like ketamine and MDMA.
Initially developed as an anesthetic for surgery, ketamine later became recognized for its mental health benefits. In 1986, researchers described ketamine as an “abreactant” — something that helps release repressed emotions. A wealth of research has since shown that ketamine has profound mental health benefits, including supporting psychotherapy.
Ketamine is considered a non-classical psychedelic. While classical psychedelics primarily target the chemical messenger serotonin, ketamine affects glutamate. This difference in chemistry helps explain why the experiences feel distinct.
Ketamine is known as a dissociative, meaning it can create a sense of separation from the body, time, or ordinary awareness. Many people describe the experience as dreamlike, sometimes feeling as though they are floating, moving through inner landscapes, or exploring their thoughts from a new perspective. The effects are also shorter-lasting (about two hours) and generally less visual than substances like psilocybin or LSD.
Despite these differences, ketamine shares many of the same therapeutic benefits as classical psychedelics. It can increase neuroplasticity, support emotional release, and encourage deep introspection—all of which make it a powerful tool in psychotherapy.
Ketamine has neurological effects that benefit mental health, even when provided without supporting therapy. Treatment can rapidly improve mood and alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidal thoughts. These benefits can be sustained from one day to several months, depending on the treatment protocol and someone’s unique condition. Importantly, ketamine can provide relief in patients who haven’t previously responded to other medications.
Because of these effects, KAP works on two levels. It supports deeper therapeutic work, while also providing notable relief from symptoms through biological mechanisms.
Because ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic, licensed clinicians can prescribe it “off-label” for mental health conditions. This makes ketamine one of the only legally available psychedelic-assisted treatments in the U.S. on a federal level.
Spravato is a nasal spray form of ketamine that has been FDA-approved for people with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation (MDSI). This approval means Spravato is recognised and can be covered by insurance for people who meet the eligibility criteria.
At InnerMostInnerwell, we provide compassionate KAP for patients looking to resolve deep-seated mental health issues and improve their overall quality of life. While each treatment is tailored to individual needs, the therapy takes an overarching structure of preparation, treatment, and integration.
Before beginning treatment, you’ll meet with an InnerMost therapist to set intentions, clarifying what you hope to explore or heal. You’ll also be fully informed about what to expect during your ketamine session, and build a rapport with your therapist.
During the session, you’ll take ketamine under medical supervision. Depending on the treatment plan, ketamine may be administered as a lozenge or intramuscular (IM) injection.
You’ll recline in a comfortable setting with eye shades and calming music. A therapist will be present to support you, but you won’t be expected to “talk through” the experience in real time. Instead, the session focuses on allowing insights and emotions to emerge naturally.
You’ll have your vital signs monitored throughout the session to ensure your safety.
The most crucial part of KAP happens afterward: integration therapy. In these sessions, you and your therapist will process the insights from your ketamine experience. This might include exploring themes, thoughts, or emotions that arose. You’ll also work to identify new perspectives that can support healing and how to continue bringing them into your daily life.
Integration ensures that the benefits of ketamine are not fleeting but instead become lasting changes in how you live and relate to yourself.
At InnerMost, we offer comprehensive ketamine-assisted psychotherapy services, designed to support you on a journey to greater wellness.
Here’s what you can expect with our approach:
We specialize in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other conditions where traditional therapies may not have brought full relief. Our mission is to help patients restore health and happiness with lasting effects.
If you’re curious about whether ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is right for you, you can explore our services here or reach out to schedule a consultation.
