KAP: What You Need to Know

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) combines the medicinal benefit of ketamine with the support and expertise of a trained psychotherapist.

The job of the psychotherapist within the KAP model is to provide preparation leading up to the medicine session, support during the session, and integration afterwards. The goal is to create an optimal set and setting for the KAP session.

  • Preparation is the first phase of treatment, and includes the following:

    • Intake and assessment by a physician—the client meets with a doctor, who reviews medical and psychiatric history as part of the intake. The doctor will determine whether or not it is safe and appropriate for the client to take ketamine, and make recommendations for dosage, best route of administration, and other clinical considerations.

    • If ketamine has been recommended, the next step for the client is to meet with the therapist to prepare for their experience. This can be done within the regular psychotherapy session, and may take multiple weeks. The important parts of this step include psychoeducation on concepts such as ‘inner healer’, ‘non ordinary states of consciousness’, ‘going inside’, and ‘trusting the process’. There will also be discussion of and setting of intentions for the experience, logistical considerations, managing expectations, and any other information that may be needed to support the client’s overall preparation.

  • Dosing Session:

    • These sessions will tentatively fall on Friday afternoons. They will take place at Voyage Healing in East Falls, where the offices have been set up for the purpose of providing safe, comfortable, and effective KAP sessions.

    • The appointment will last approximately two hours. Clients will need to have someone pick them up at the end of the appointment and should not drive.

    • More information about the dosing session can be explored during preparation.

  • Integration is the last phase of treatment, though it is a longer term process and can unfold over the course of weeks, months, or even years:

    • The goal of integration is to support to a client who has undergone a medicine session, and to help them make meaning of their experience Some work may be done independently, and some with the support of the therapist.