Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy
Using the science-based healing powers of psychedelic medicine to increase insights and expidite healing
“If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite.”
-William Blake
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a form of therapy where ketamine, a medication originally used for starting and maintaining anesthesia, is administered under trained supervision to enhance the therapeutic process for healing disorders such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. In KAP sessions, ketamine is used in combination with traditional psychotherapy techniques to heal suffering in mental health conditions at an accelerated rate. The primary goal of KAP is to facilitate deeper emotional exploration and insight by temporarily altering the client’s consciousness. This altered state induced by ketamine can help individuals access and process difficult emotions and memories that are often challenging to uncover in traditional therapy. This form of treatment is particularly helpful for clients who struggle in EMDR and other forms of therapy due to the amount of dysregulation because the pain is too much. The KAP session typically involves the administration of a low dose of ketamine followed by psychotherapy sessions to explore and work through the issues that arise during the experience. KAP has shown promising results in providing rapid relief for individuals struggling with treatment-resistant mental health conditions and suicidal thinking or urges. KAP has been shown to decrease the amount of activation in the Default Mode Network which is responsible for self-referencing thoughts (rumination) and increases the brains plasticity and motivation in the day’s after session so we can get our life on track.
Psilocybin Preparation & Integration
Research indicates that psilocybin facilitates an increased ability to purge deep-seated grief and emotional burdens, which is crucial for trauma recovery. Neuroimaging studies reveal that psilocybin activates and strengthens neural networks associated with emotional processing and cognitive flexibility, including enhanced connectivity within the Default Mode Network and between various brain regions. These changes correlate with improved creative problem-solving abilities, allowing clients to approach their mental health challenges with renewed perspective. Additionally, psilocybin therapy has been shown to elevate serotonin levels, contributing to mood regulation and overall improvements in depressive symptoms. These findings underscore the potential of psilocybin as a transformative treatment modality for depression and trauma. Many people find their subjective experiences with psilocybin profoundly mystical or spiritual, touching into the fabric of why we are here on earth, with visuals that allow them to unlock creative ways to move beyond their challenges and stuck points with a greater connection to self and humanity.
Important Note: Not all client’s are good candidates for Psilocybin Assisted Psychotherapy for a variety of reasons. While Psilocybin and other psychedelics are typically non-addictive due to the intensity and time requirements, they are typically not recommended for individuals on a newly sober Substance Use Disorder recovery journey. This is particularly important considering the high rates of comorbidity between PTSD and Substance Use Disorders. Part of this is due to the dissociative quality of psychoactive substances being linked to the dissociation inherent in PTSD-spectrum disorders. While there is positive research in the area of Psilocybin Assisted Psychotherapy for Substance Use Disorder to break addictive patterns and cravings, for newly sober individuals a focus on stability is recommended first. For this reason, this treatment is recommended for individuals further along on their healing journey.
Important Consideration: For most trauma survivors ongoing psychotherapy is crucial when considering psilocybin therapy, especially in preparing for managing and stabilizing symptoms before entering into the vulnerable experience of being in Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness with a trained guide. It is not uncommon that individuals may need more than one psilocybin dosing-session to overcome their challenges, which demonstrates it is not a magic bullet or overnight fix. Alchemy Arts Therapy is able to help you reduce harm through the very important steps of preparation, and integration with your personal or professional use of these substances for improved mental health outcomes. Alchemy Arts Therapy can help you decide between micro-dosing protocols or larger journeys. Additionally, Alchemy Arts Therapy is able to provide referrals for Psilocybin Assisted Therapy healing centers and providers that facilitate mushroom-dosing sessions upon request.
How I Help: My 200-hour certificate in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy from Naropa University in 2023 allows me to help individuals integrate personal or professional dosing experiences (even from years ago) in a way to support better life functioning, deeper meaning in life, and harm reduction.
“Psychedelics, used responsibly and with proper caution, would be for psychiatry what the microscope is for biology and medicine or the telescope is for astronomy.”
– Stanislav Grof