Psychedelic Assisted therapy

About PAT:

Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) has emerged as a promising approach to treating a range of mental health issues, from depression and anxiety to PTSD and addiction. One of the key benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapy is its ability to foster profound, transformative experiences that can lead to deep emotional healing. Substances like psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine have shown potential to enhance therapeutic processes by allowing individuals to access parts of their consciousness that are typically difficult to reach in traditional talk therapy. These substances often help individuals confront and process unresolved trauma, enabling them to gain new perspectives on their emotional struggles. In a clinical setting, trained therapists guide these sessions, ensuring that the experience is safe, structured, and conducive to healing.
 

PAT Integration:
The therapeutic benefits of psychedelics are amplified by the process of psychedelic integration, which refers to the process of making sense of the insights and experiences that emerge during a psychedelic journey. This step is crucial, as the raw, often intense experiences from a psychedelic session can be difficult to assimilate without the right guidance. Integration therapy helps individuals reflect on their experiences, understand the meaning behind them, and apply any insights gained to their daily lives. Through integration, people may be able to shift long-standing patterns of behavior, break free from negative thought loops, and achieve a greater sense of clarity and purpose. It is also during the integration process that individuals often make lasting changes in their relationships, self-concept, and emotional resilience.
 

Moreover, integration can help prevent potential psychological distress that might arise from difficult experiences during the psychedelic session. The therapeutic support provided after the experience can mitigate feelings of confusion or disconnection, helping individuals process challenging emotions or memories. This combination of the profound psychological shifts from the psychedelic experience and the ongoing support of integration makes psychedelic-assisted therapy an innovative and effective approach to mental health treatment.
 

Overall, the combination of psychedelic-assisted therapy and integration offers a holistic approach to healing, addressing not only the symptoms of mental health conditions but also the underlying emotional and psychological patterns that contribute to them. With ongoing research and clinical trials, the potential of psychedelics to promote well-being and personal growth continues to unfold, suggesting a promising future for these therapies in the realm of mental health care.  

 

My Training and Experience:
I am professionally trained in ketamine-assisted therapy (KAP) through the Psychedelic Research and Training Institute (PRATI), where I gained expertise in utilizing ketamine as a therapeutic tool to support emotional and psychological healing. Additionally, I am certified in psychedelic-assisted therapy through Naropa University/Memoru’s comprehensive 10-month certification program. This program provided me with in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in working with a variety of psychedelic substances in a clinical setting to treat mental health conditions.  
 

Beyond my certifications, I have had the opportunity to contribute to the field in a broader capacity as a member of the Naropa staff, where I assisted in training clinicians who are pursuing their own certification in psychedelic-assisted therapy. This experience has allowed me to mentor and support new professionals in understanding the nuances of integrating psychedelic substances into therapeutic practices safely and effectively.   I offer supervision to other mental health professionals as they delve into this emerging field.  

I also served as a research clinician in the MAPS/Lykos clinical trials for MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD at the Boulder, Colorado site. In this capacity, I collaborated with a co-therapist and a multidisciplinary team to provide treatment to participants suffering from chronic PTSD. Our work was part of the Phase 2 pilot study, officially titled "MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD: Boulder, Colorado (MP12)," which was led by Principal Investigator Marcela Ot’alora, MA, LPC .​MAPS+3MAPS+3MAPS+3 .​   

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Reciprocity - I recognize that the plant medicine practices at the root of today’s psychedelic-assisted therapies originate from Indigenous traditions that have long honored the healing power of these substances. These practices were developed through deep, reciprocal relationships with the land and spirit, carried forward by Indigenous communities despite centuries of colonization. As we engage with these medicines in modern contexts, we affirm the need for respect, reciprocity, and inclusion of Indigenous voices and knowledge.  In a small gesture, I donate to the indigenous reciprocity initiative (IRI) on a monthly basis. https://chacruna-iri.org/

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Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy:

At present, I offer ketamine assisted therapy and psychedelic integration: 

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is an innovative treatment modality that combines the powerful effects of ketamine, a dissociative agent with psychedelic properties, with traditional psychotherapy techniques. When administered in a therapeutic setting alongside psychotherapy, ketamine has the potential to bring about profound changes in patients' mental and emotional well-being. Here are some key benefits of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy:

1. Rapid Relief from Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety

One of the most compelling benefits of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is its ability to provide rapid relief from symptoms of mood disorders, particularly treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. Traditional antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can take weeks or even months to show significant effects. In contrast, ketamine can produce a noticeable improvement in mood and symptom relief within hours to days of administration. This rapid onset makes it especially valuable for patients who have not responded to conventional treatments.
 

2. Enhanced Emotional Insight and Processing

Ketamine’s dissociative properties allow patients to access a unique state of consciousness, where they may experience a sense of detachment from their usual thought patterns and emotional responses. This altered state can create a "psychological reset," enabling individuals to process emotions, trauma, and challenging life events with greater clarity and openness. Many patients report profound insights and shifts in perspective during ketamine-assisted psychotherapy sessions, which can facilitate deeper self-awareness and healing.
 

3. Reduction in Negative Thought Patterns and Rumination

A hallmark of mood disorders like depression and anxiety is the tendency to engage in negative thought patterns, self-criticism, and rumination. These repetitive, often destructive thoughts can be difficult to break through using conventional psychotherapy techniques alone. Ketamine helps disrupt these entrenched cognitive patterns, allowing patients to observe and challenge their thoughts from a fresh perspective. This interruption of negative thought cycles can be particularly transformative, as it creates space for new, more constructive ways of thinking.
 

4. Enhanced Neuroplasticity and Brain Function

Research suggests that ketamine may promote neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new neural connections. Neuroplasticity is critical for learning, adaptation, and healing, and is often diminished in individuals with chronic depression or trauma. By stimulating the growth of new synaptic connections, ketamine helps the brain "reboot," which may enhance cognitive flexibility, improve emotional regulation, and support the integration of therapeutic insights gained during sessions. This neuroplastic effect can also contribute to lasting improvements in mood and functioning over time.
 

5. A Holistic Approach to Trauma and PTSD

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy has shown promise as a treatment for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For individuals with a history of trauma, traditional talk therapy can sometimes feel overwhelming or difficult due to the emotional charge of past experiences. Ketamine's ability to induce a dissociative state allows individuals to approach traumatic memories in a less emotionally reactive way, facilitating the processing and integration of painful memories. The therapeutic environment, combined with the altered state induced by ketamine, enables patients to reframe and release traumatic experiences without becoming overwhelmed by them.
 

6. Increased Emotional Resilience and Self-Compassion

By interrupting negative thought cycles and promoting a sense of detachment from the self-critical voice, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy can help foster greater emotional resilience and self-compassion. Patients often report feeling more connected to their authentic selves and more forgiving of their past mistakes and struggles. This increased self-compassion is key for long-term emotional well-being, as it enables individuals to approach future challenges with a greater sense of inner strength and understanding.
 

7. Support for Substance Use Disorders and Addictions

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy has also shown potential as a treatment for substance use disorders, including alcohol and opioid addiction. The therapy can help reduce cravings, lower the emotional drive behind addictive behaviors, and promote psychological healing. Ketamine’s neuroplastic effects may also support the formation of healthier patterns of thought and behavior, making it easier for individuals to break free from the cycle of addiction.
 

8. Personalized and Flexible Treatment

One of the advantages of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is its adaptability. Ketamine can be used in conjunction with various therapeutic modalities, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches. The flexibility of KAP allows therapists to tailor the treatment to the individual needs of each patient, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the therapy.

  

What is the process?

We work together to form an alliance and trust that will provide a foundation of safety and support.  This can be accomplished in a few sessions or many people benefit from a longer process and ongoing therapy.  

We work with a provider to get a prescription for the medicine (I can help facilitate this process).  
 

When you undergo ketamine assisted therapy, I am present with you during the duration of your experience to support you.  
 

At present I offer sublingual and intramuscular ketamine treatment at my office.  

We usually begin with a series of KAP sessions (often 6-8) at a frequency that fits the client (often weekly KAP and integration is a good place to start).  Each KAP session is 2-3 hours, and typically we schedule an integration session within 72 hours of KAP.   

We can tailor this and create a package that works for you in terms of mental health needs, financial investment, and time commitment.