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 Assisted Psychotherapy
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.
Why it Works: Psilocybin gently unlocks the mind’s hidden pathways, allowing trauma and depression to be seen with fresh eyes. It works by quieting the brain’s rigid networks that trap us in cycles of pain, while sparking new connections that foster healing and hope. Beyond science, many who journey with psilocybin encounter profound mystical experiences—moments where the weight of suffering feels lifted, replaced by a sense of unity, peace, and renewed meaning. For trauma survivors, this blend of brain science and soul-opening insight offers a powerful invitation to transform deep wounds into pathways toward wholeness and light.
What to Expect: 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, and integrating the lessons learned into ordinary life after the dosing encounter. It is not uncommon that individuals may need more than one psilocybin dosing-session to overcome their challenges. At this time Alchemy Arts Therapy is unable to facilitate Psilocybin Assisted Psychotherapy medicine-dosing sessions due to the decision to focus additional training hours in Somatic Therapy to deepen Psychedelic Integration and Trauma healing - the most important part of ones journey. 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.
History in Colorado: In 2022 Colorado citizens voted to approve Proposition 122 and the Natural Medicine Health Act of 2022 was formed. This means the personal use of certain psychedelic plants and fungi have been decriminalized for individuals over the age of 21 in the state of Colorado, to include Psilocybin, Ayahuasca, DMT, and Mescaline (not Peyote). In 2018 Psilocybin was designated a “Breakthrough Therapy” by the FDA. Similar to Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, Psilocybin Assisted Psychotherapy is demonstrating strong results for Treatment Resistant Depression and PTSD. Data from FDA Phase 3 trials was published late 2024. By 2025 Colorado regulators have finalized the requirements for mental health practitioners to provide Psilocybin Assisted Psychotherapy services. These finalizations in 2025 require additional consultation and practicum hours to facilitate psilocybin dosing-sessions in a psilocybin healing center despite my 200-hour certificate in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy from Naropa University in 2023.
“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