The psychedelic effects of ketamine soften psychological defenses and amplify less conscious material. This allows for deeper processing and fuller awareness. Ketamine also has antidepressant and mood-lifting effects. 

Ketamine also promotes malleability, growth, and connections in the brain (e.g., “neuroplasticity”), allowing new habits to form more easily. For many people, ketamine could also promote a spiritual or transpersonal experience that further supports healing and transformation. 

Ongoing psychotherapy (in conjunction with ketamine medication) helps with maintaining and prolonging the shifts that occur.

People commonly report from KAP:

• Improvements in mood and outlook

• Mental clarity

• New and widened perspectives

• More flexibility and space to implement desired changes

• More interconnectedness (e.g., with aspects of self, with other people, with nature, with something greater than themselves)

• And much more

Yes. Risk factors include active psychosis, history of mania, pregnancy, high blood pressure, bladder conditions, and more. The medical provider will perform an in-depth screening and evaluation to assess for risks and contraindications.

Ketamine’s effects begin within 15-20 minutes after administration, and they peak after about another 40-45 minutes. The effects subside 1-2 hours after that.

While under the influence of ketamine, people tend to have more mindful distance from their thoughts, emotions, memories, and bodily sensations. People also tend to experience expansion with their sense of time. 

People commonly report that ketamine’s effects induce:

• Pleasant sensations and mood

• Enhanced creativity

• Expansion and spaciousness

• Connection to purpose

• Love and gratitude

• “Embodied” insights and understanding

• Spiritual connection and experiences

It’s also important to note that ketamine’s effects can also induce:

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Difficulty with verbal communication and motor coordination

• Unpleasant psychological material that’s been less conscious

We’ll start with some ritual and/or grounding practices that we’ve decided (during preparation sessions) feel right for you. 

You’ll self-administer the medication, and you’ll likely be sitting or lying down for most of the journey. You get to decide if/when to use eye shades if you want more inward focus. We’ll play soothing music that enhances the experience. 

Throughout your medicine session, I’ll be present to help you further unpack or explore your inner experiences, and/or to emotionally support you however you need. You won’t be forced to talk or do anything. I’ll also support you through any unpleasant effects or psychological material that surfaces.

We will use our next integration sessions to further process any experiences you had during the medicine session, in service of your healing and transformation.

Yes! I would ideally collaborate with your other therapist, so that your inner work from KAP could be woven into your other therapeutic work.

Though preparation and integration sessions will occur weekly, you’ll always be empowered to decide when you’re ready for a medicine session. You, the medical provider, and I will collaborate to determine the length of your KAP treatment. But ultimately, you’ll have the final say whether you wish to slow down or stop the medicine sessions.

Preparation sessions, medicine sessions, and integration sessions will all be charged at $260 per 50 minutes. If we need to prolong a medicine session (beyond 3 hours), my fee of $260 will be prorated accordingly.

Costs of medical intake and filling ketamine prescriptions are paid to Isha Health, in addition to my fees. See Isha Health’s website for more information on those costs.

All KAP services can be virtual or in-person at a shared office in Berkeley. In-person medicine sessions at the Berkeley shared office typically occur on Fridays or Saturdays. We can discuss your preferences and needs, regarding virtual and/or in-person arrangements.