Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy at the Mind/Body Institute
A Breakthrough Approach to Healing at the Mind/Body Institute
At the Mind/Body Institute, we believe that healing is not just about managing symptoms — it’s about creating meaningful, lasting change. For those struggling with depression, trauma, PTSD, anxiety, or emotional pain that hasn’t responded to traditional methods, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) offers a powerful, research-backed alternative.
KAP works by using low-dose ketamine to temporarily shift brain activity, creating a window of enhanced openness, clarity, and emotional access. In this state, patients often experience insights, emotional breakthroughs, or relief from long-standing mental patterns. When guided by a trained therapist, these experiences can lead to profound personal growth and long-term transformation.
Why Ketamine?
Ketamine is one of the most promising innovations in mental health care in over 50 years. Originally developed as an anesthetic, it has been safely used in medical settings since the 1960s. In recent years, research has shown that at lower, carefully controlled doses, ketamine can offer rapid relief from depression, anxiety, trauma, and other emotional challenges — especially for those who haven’t responded to traditional treatments.
Unlike many antidepressants that can take weeks to take effect (if they work at all), ketamine can begin to shift mood and perception within hours or days. It temporarily quiets the brain’s default mode network — the part responsible for rumination and negative thought loops — allowing space for new insights and patterns to emerge.
At the Mind/Body Institute, we don’t view ketamine as a “quick fix,” but rather a powerful catalyst for change when paired with intentional, guided therapy. KAP allows patients to approach their inner experiences with less resistance and more curiosity — often unlocking breakthroughs that were previously inaccessible through talk therapy alone.
How Ketamine Works
Ketamine works differently than traditional psychiatric medications. Most antidepressants target chemical imbalances by increasing serotonin or other neurotransmitters. While that approach helps some people, many continue to experience symptoms — or wait weeks to feel any effects.
Ketamine takes a different path. It acts on the brain’s glutamate system, which plays a key role in learning, memory, and mood regulation. By stimulating glutamate receptors, ketamine rapidly increases neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to form new connections and rewire old patterns.
This window of enhanced neuroplasticity opens the door for healing experiences that would otherwise be difficult to access. Patients often report feeling a sense of expanded perspective, emotional release, or renewed clarity during their sessions. These shifts create a fertile environment for therapy to take root and create lasting change.
Why Combine Ketamine With Therapy?
While ketamine can open a powerful window into the subconscious, the medicine alone is not the solution — the true healing happens when the insights gained are integrated into daily life. That’s why we pair every ketamine session at the Mind/Body Institute with intentional, guided psychotherapy.
In a ketamine-assisted state, many patients access thoughts, emotions, and memories that are difficult to reach in normal waking consciousness. Therapy helps make sense of those experiences, offering structure, interpretation, and support during vulnerable moments of transformation.
With the help of a skilled therapist, patients can:
- Explore root causes of emotional pain
- Reframe limiting beliefs or self-perceptions
- Develop healthier coping strategies
- Strengthen emotional resilience
This therapeutic container ensures that the ketamine experience is not just a temporary relief, but a catalyst for long-term change — supporting each patients growth, self-understanding, and healing from the inside out.
What to Expect From the KAP Process
At the Mind/Body Institute, we’ve designed our Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) program to be safe, structured, and deeply supportive. Every step of the process is guided by experienced professionals who prioritize your emotional well-being and personal goals.
Here’s what your journey will typically look like:
1. Initial Consultation & Assessment
We begin with a comprehensive intake session to understand your medical and psychological history, current symptoms, and treatment goals. This allows us to determine whether KAP is an appropriate and safe fit for your needs.
2. Preparation Sessions
Before your first ketamine experience, you’ll meet with your therapist to build trust, clarify intentions, and discuss what to expect. These preparatory sessions are crucial for setting the stage for a meaningful and grounded journey.
3. Ketamine Sessions
During each ketamine session, you’ll receive a carefully measured dose of ketamine in a safe, calming environment. Your therapist will be present to guide and support you throughout the experience. We typically use either lozenges or subcutaneous injections, depending on clinical needs and preferences.
These sessions usually last between 1–2 hours and may involve music, eye masks, or other elements to support inward focus and emotional exploration.
4. Integration Therapy
After each session, you’ll return for integration therapy — where insights from the ketamine experience are unpacked, understood, and anchored into lasting change.
5. Ongoing Support
KAP is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Some clients benefit from a short series of sessions, while others integrate KAP into their longer-term healing journey. We’ll work collaboratively to tailor a care plan that supports your evolving needs.
Safety and Clinical Oversight
At the Mind/Body Institute, your safety — both emotional and physical — is our highest priority.
Our Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy program is grounded in evidence-based clinical protocols, overseen by licensed professionals with extensive experience in trauma-informed care, mental health treatment, and psychedelic-assisted therapy. Every step of your journey is approached with careful attention to medical screening, ethical practice, and emotional readiness.
We maintain the highest standards by ensuring that:
- All patients undergo a comprehensive medical and psychological evaluation before starting treatment
- Ketamine is self-administered in a controlled, therapeutic setting with ongoing monitoring
- Each session is facilitated or supported by a licensed mental health professional
- Integration therapy is built into the process for safe emotional processing and long-term success
We also remain in active communication with other care providers (with your consent), ensuring your treatment plan is well-coordinated and supported on all fronts.
Whether this is your first time exploring ketamine therapy or you’re continuing work begun elsewhere, you can feel confident knowing you’re in compassionate, capable hands.