It was first used as an anesthetic but has been found to help with mental health due to its unique effects on the brain. Ketamine works by blocking NMDA receptors, which increase brain activity and help form new connections. This process can quickly reduce symptoms of mental health issues. Ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT) combines ketamine with therapy sessions. During a session, a patient takes ketamine under medical supervision, usually as an injection, nasal spray, or tablet.

The medication helps patients feel less defensive, allowing them to explore difficult emotions and memories safely. This can lead to significant breakthroughs in understanding and managing their mental health . At Within, our treatment plans use this treatment to help those facing mental health challenges, like treatment-resistant depression or anxiety. We combine KAP with strong psychological support, providing a full approach to mental well-being.

If it seems suitable, you’ll meet with our medical team for an initial consultation and psychiatric assessment. If cleared, we’ll schedule a psychedelic preparation session with your guide to set your intentions, goals, and focus for treatment. These sessions are crucial for preparing you mentally and emotionally for treatment.

We begin with a discovery call to discuss your needs and symptoms and determine if ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT) might benefit you. If it seems suitable, you’ll meet with our medical team for an initial consultation and psychiatric assessment. If cleared, we’ll schedule a psychedelic preparation session with your guide to set your intentions, goals, and focus for treatment. These sessions are crucial for preparing you mentally and emotionally for treatment.

A typical KAT session lasts about two hours. Before the ketamine is administered, you’ll meet with your guide to prepare, ground yourself, and discuss your intentions.

During the session, your guide will be present through your entire experience, providing knowledgeable guidance and support to help you handle any challenges.

Our approach involves preparing the environment (setting) to foster a sense of safety, trust, and relaxation.We also help you prepare mentally and emotionally (set) to navigate the experience. Many clients describe feelings of detachment from their bodies, akin to observing themselves from a distance. This state can help you explore deep emotions safely.

After the session, there’s often much to process. This stage is vital for integrating the insights gained during therapy. You’ll have follow-up sessions with your guide and a licensed therapist to understand and apply these insights to your daily life. These integration sessions aim to ensure the benefits of the ketamine experience are long-lasting and meaningful, helping you to implement positive changes.

What you feel, learn, and how you react can vary based on your personal history and the issues being treated. Ketamine therapy, a form of psychedelic therapy, is often recommended for those with depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, or addiction that hasn’t improved with other treatments.

It can be especially helpful for those who haven’t found relief with traditional methods. However, it might not be suitable for people with a history of psychosis, schizophrenia, high blood pressure, or severe liver conditions. A thorough evaluation with a health professional will help determine if this therapy is right for you​.

It means understanding and applying the lessons from your ketamine experience to daily life. You can do this on your own or with help from peers, community, coaches, or therapists.

The integration process looks different for everyone but always aims to make sense of the psychedelic experience and apply the insights gained. This process helps you find balance and wholeness in mind, body, spirit, lifestyle, and relationships. Integration is key for ongoing personal growth and healing.

Starting a psychedelic journey can give you new perspectives and insights. But the real benefit comes from integrating these experiences into your daily life. Integration turns short-term insights into lasting wisdom. It involves revisiting and working with your experiences, which helps prevent valuable lessons from fading.